Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-26
Measurements Of Cleveland.

Utica Herald.
Mr.. Cleveland. in his letter. misstated
the surplus In the treasury, making the
amount $26, 600, 900 more than the Off
cials Of the treasury stated II to be on
that date. United States Treasurer HYATT
makes the gap between the President
statement and the truth very much wider
by his assertion that there Is no sur
plus.
The tendency Of the anxious candidate
to misstatc facts runs through his letter
Discussing the tariff he repeats the parti-
san misrepresentation that duties on i'm
ports are added to the price of articles
upon which they are levied, and thus be-
come tax upon all who buy those arti-
Giles for use and consumption" Every
business man knows better. knows that
this is not true, and If he does not he has
only to compare foreign and domestic
price lists. But Mr. Cleveland did not
need'to send further than to the War
Department for proof that his statement
was not in accord with facts. He had to
ask only Secretary Endicott for the record
of his transaction in buying blankets
abroad for the medical department Of the
army
|, The particulars Of that transaction
deserve to be repeated in view of the
Presidents error. The War Department
advertised for bids on the 25th of March,
1887. to furnish 1000 blankets to the
medical department of the United States
army-advertised at home and abroad.
An English firm offered to furnish 4-pound
blankets of the desired grade for 81. 254
each. An American bid was s.. 90. same
weight and grade. The English bid was
accepted, the Government saving trifle
more than 30 cents per blanket. Ameri-
can labor was boycotted by Secretary
Endicott and English wool and English
labor employed to warm our soldiers, and
81, 504 of American money was sent
abroad instead of being distributed to
American labOrers and wool growers.
The 1000 blankets would have cost
So, 100 il the American bid had been &C.
cepted. They were obtained for 81. 504
of the English maker, because, being a
Government importation, they came in
free. IL what Nh. Cleveland says is true
viz, that the buyer of American made
goods pays in addition to the intrinsic
worth of the article the duties levied on
similar goods brought from abroad thro
American blaL kets would have cost
Vf,oVf pius luC ltHllltcu vi tut
English goods The duty on blankets of
the quality of those in this transaction is
1S cents pound and 35 per cent ad
valorem. Eighteen cents pound on
1000 4pound blankets is 81. 440; 30 per
cent al valorem is 81, 576 40. or SD. DIG 40
in all. Adding the duties, So. 0l6.40, and
the makers price, 81, 504 and we have
81, 500. 40, or So. IS per blanket as the
price of the American blanket, if what
Mr.. Cleveland says is true. On the con-
trary, the American manufacturers offer
ed to furnish 1000 blankets, such as the
bid called for. at So 56 EACH and s., 100
total. Mr.. Cleveland Secretary of War.
by taking advantage of his privilege to
import free. saved 1916 TO the Treasury
and sent 4, 504 American dollars abroad to
sustain a foreign industry at the expense
OF our own. If what Mr.. Cleveland says
is true the 1000 blankets duties idclud-
ed would have cost 81, $50. 40, or 81, 400
more than the home manufacturers
price.
This transaction was brought to public
attention by Major Mckinley, in his
speech in the House Of Representatives.
May 49, 1888. and the exhibit has never
been impeached.