Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-10-01
The MILLS BILL AND GLASSWARE.
A Complete VindicatOn Of the Mills Bill
From a Manufacturer Who Knows
Whereof BE Speaks.
GLASS AND POTTERY NOT HURT
By the Measure What Wheeling Owes TO
Hons. W. l. Wilson and W. D. Bynum-
Arthurs Tariff COmmission-A Most
Admirable and Complete Dsmoll-
ton Of Republican Cam
paign Lies.

On last Friday the IntetIgencer prin'eu
q mass of extracts from some testimony
Mr.. Brockunier gave before the Rspubli-
can Tariff Commission Of 1882, which
were evidently intended by the Intelligent
Ger As an offset to something it expected
MFR. Brockunier to cay 10 reply to some
statements regarding the Mills bill and
glassware made the day before by one Mr.
King.
Il turned out, however, that MIR. Brock
unier said nothing publicly, but the II"
teIliqeneer's indecent action has caused hin
to say something now. Aud his card u
the Iateliigeneer, which has been given
that paper for publication this morning
will be found below.
II il one of the ablsst vindicstions Of
the Mills bill that has been given the
public since the framing of that measure
Mr.. Brockunier, ia his statements Il
conservative and business-like. He is not
a politician and has no interest but that o
a private citizen in politics. He is ore Of
the most prominent glass manufactures o
the United States. 1t is to this, and tC
the fact that he has thoroughly and prac'
tieally studied our tariff laws rs they a.
feet his business, that we attach The
great interest of his statement given be-
low. 1t should be read by every voter II
Wheeling, for probably never again in TINS
campaign will We receive the benefit OF SC
impartial statement upon the merits ol
the Democratic measure of tariff reform.
The following is Mr.. Brockunier's card:
To he Editor ofthS hteai9eneer.
1 confess to some surprise at finding IN
your issue of the 2Sth inst. an article
of over two columns, directed to me per-
sonslly ny name, citing certain uttersnces
of mine made to the Tariff Commission IN
1882, and suggesting inferentially that
my present views and position on that
Question are inconsistent with those held
when / was one OF the owners of the
South Wheeling Works.
recognize your courteous and even
complimentary treatment of me in the ar
ticle, and although it might seem that
private citizen who ia not a candidate Tor
sny public Office should be allowed to en-
ioy his otium cum digaitdte without being
bounced upon so unceremoniously, yet the
deep yearning of the IRtelhgeneer TO know
tho truth has touched my compassion and
yield to the pressure.
Therefore l now give you the reason
FOR the faith that is in me" concerning THE
mat :er of tariff in general and in particular
AZ it is presented by the Mills bill so far as
it relates TO our glass and steel industries
I do not think you will find that am any
the less tariff mau nor that my present
position is inconsistent with my former
one 10 which You refer.
Neither does my retirement from active
business imply any lack Of interest IN the
course which legislation may take on this
question, for / am still an "owner in the
south Wheeling Glass Works." and have
investments in other manufacturing indus
tries of Wheeling which leads me to give
a earnest consideration to governmental
policy affecting trade as ever did.
As you invite my views, 1 will state
generally that ! believe the Dest way to
raise the revenue for the necessary expen-
ses of the general government is by duty
or tar on imports, supplemented by tax
on whisky. The trouble is TO place the
duties properly so that they will not only
bring the required revenue, but also afford
q stimulus to manufacturers without be-
coming an improper burden upon the con-
sumer. Properly to so adjust it is not an
easy matter in view OF human greed and
selfishness, which sometimes makes itself
felt in q pressure brought to bear upon in
dividual members of Congress to favor GER
tain interests unduly.
The citizens of this city aud vicinity are
more concerned to know its relation to the
glass, iron, steel and pottery industries,
which are the principal ones in which our
community are engaged, and especially
under present circumstances.
may say, then, that when the tariff
was taken up for revision by the present
Congress, my official con nection with
the Glass Association had ceased
by reason of my retirement from
active connection with the firm to
which | belong. Yet felt such
interest in the welfare Of the work
men connected with the business IN
which had been engaged for neatly thirty
wears, and in my brother manufacturers,
who had been my associates, that deter
mined to exert the utmost of my ability
and influence to obtain for glass its fair
share Of protection. To this end l made
numerous trips and spent considerable
time in Washington, just as it had been
necessary to do when both houses of Con-
grsss and the Presidency were 10 the hands
of the Republicans. / was afforded every
facility, and wish to acknowledge my in
debtedness to the msjority Of the Commit
tee of Ways and Means, who gave patient
attention to the facts and figures sdduced
10 that behalf, including many courtesies
from Col. Mills and Mr.. Breckenridge. 1t
is especially to the Subcommittee, consist
ing of Hon. w. d. Bynum, ofIudisns, and
W. L. Wilson, of West Virginia, to whom
the subjects were referred in which this
community is interested, that we are in
debted for the favorable report on glass
and soft steel.
On glassware the rate was only reduced
on one classification aud that does not sf-
feet either manufacturer or workmeu dis
sdyantsgsously,
A.. 10 Aha ent glass schedule and NV