The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-04-11
THE MINORITY REPORT.
Answer Of Republican Members Of
Ways and Means to the Free
Trade Proposal.
The G;aTing Inconsistencies OF the
Mills Bill Pointed
Out.
The Evil Consequences that Would En-
sue Were It to Become
Law.

VI ways anu 1ehub on the tarlu OIL was
prepared by Mr.. Mckinley and is signed
by all the Republican members of the COM
mittes. The opening paragraphs are az
follow:
The extraordinary manner In which this bill
came To the.committee, and the total lack OF
confederation given to 80 grave a matter by
those charged with its Investigation, demand
notice and comment. 1t was fashi oned out
sido OF the committee, and reached IL not by
the reference OF the House, which is the usual
channel through which committees obtain
jurisdiction OF subject. 1t was presented
readymade by the chairman OF the committee.
was framed, completed and printed without
the knowledge OF the minority and without
consideration or discussion in full committee.
III any consultations were held the minority
were excluded Thus originating. after three
months OF the session had gone, IL was submit
ted TO the committee. Since there has been
40 consideration OF it. Every effort upon the
part OF the minority to obtain from the maiori-
ty tho facts and information upon which they
constructed the bill proved unavailing reso-
luton to refer the bill TO the Secretary of the
Treasury for n statement OF its probable effects
upon the revenue, together with q statistical
abstract which would facilitate its consuera-
tion by the committee and the House, was
voted down by strict party vote
The industries of the country. located In
every section OF the country, representing vast
interests closely related 20 the prosperity OF
the country, touching practically every home,
and every hreside, and which were TO be af-
fected by the bill. were denied hearing, and
the majority shut the doors of the committee
against all examinations OF producers, con.
sumers, and experts, whose testimony might
have enlightened the committee The farmers,
whose Investments and products were 10 be
disastrously dealt with, were denied an oppor-
tunity to address the committee. The work
ingmen OF the country, whose wages were at
stake, we're denied audience. Their Represen-
tatiyes on the floor OF the House were not per-
ruitted 10 voice tho wants OF their constituents.
Proposing grave measure which would affect
all the people in their employments their
labor and their incomes, the majority persist
anti naaH hQ In tha ri ullf nf
and discussing, denied them the simple priyi-
iege OF presenting reasons and arguments
against their proposed action.
But as this bill is avowedly political one,
believed to represent SO far as it goes the
views Of the President and his party associates.
bill which, with the Presidents free-trade
message. is TO constitute the issue and be the
platform OF the party, IL may account for but
will not justify this extraordinary course OF
procedure. The minority protested without
avail in the committee, aud now announcing IL
TO the House, as they feel constrained to do,
accept the issue rendered by the bill, accom-
panied with some OF their reasons for opposing
IL. and make their appeal from the people 9
servants to the people themselves.
The bill 10 a radical reversal of the tariff
policy of the country which for the most part
has prevailed since the foundation of the
Government and under which we have made
industrial and agricultural progress without a
parallel in the world history. II enacted into
law 1t will disturb every branch OF business.
retard manufacturing and agricultural pros
perity, and seriously impair our industrial in
dependence. Ii undertakes 10 revise our
entire revenue system; substantially all Of the
tariff schedules are affected both classified
ton and rates are changed. Specific duties
are in many cases changed to ad valorem.
which all experience has shown is productive
OF frauds and undervaluations. IL does not
correct the Irregularities OF the present tariff
IL only aggravates them. 1t introduces uncer-
taiDties in Interpretation, which will embar-
rass its administration, promote contention
and litigation, and give to the customs officers
IA, latitude OF construction which
fusion 1t is marked with sectionalism which
every patriotic citizen must deplore. Its con-
struction takes no account of the element OF
labor which onters into production, and in a
number OF instances makes the finished or
advanced product free dutiable at less
rate than the materials from which il is made
1.-The poor mans blanket" which the majority
has made burning issue for so many years
is made to bear the same rate of duty as the
rich mans. More than a third OF the free II 81
Is made up from the products Of the farm, the
forest and the mine. From products which are
now dutiable at the minimum rates. ranging
from to % per cent, ana even this slight
protection, 30 essential, Is TO be taken from
the farmers, the lurnberinen, and the quarry
men.
The American farmer will appreciate the
vicious character OF the bill applied TO him
when he is appraised OF the fact that whilo the
products of the land and labor shut Out
from Canada by protective tariff imposed BY
the Canadian Government, the Canadian farm
er can send many OF his products here without
the payment of duty under the proposed bill
How long will the rate Of agricultural wages be
continued in the United Statos under sucl
legislation? What sort Of reciprocity is this
This will be a direct benefit to the CANADIAN
farmer, and n most serious blow to the Amer
can. The whole bill has that tendency, and
seems 10 be subject TO the criticism that IL wai
framed to benefit other countries rather thar
our own. Nowhere in tho bill is the ultimate
purpose of its authors more manifest than it,
treatment OF wool. 1t places this product upor
the free list and exposes our flocks and heecei
to merciless competition from abroad In this
fna hill "a lint fha aohp af hal Braa
dents message, and gives emphasis to the set
tied purpose OF the majority 70 break down one
OF the most valuable industries of the country
1t is public proclamation that American policy
OF protection, 30 long adhered TO, and unde
which has been secured unprecedented pros
perity in every department OF human effort, Il
90 be abandoned.
Why have the majority put wool on the fire,
list? Let them make their own answer w,
quote from she report: we say TO tho manu-
facturer we have put wool on the free list Il
enable him TO obtain foreign woods cheaper
mako his goods cheaper, and send them int,
foreign markets. and successfully compete with
the foreign manufacturers"
1. The purpose is 20 bring down the price o
wool. II this should be the result, we inquir,
at whose expense and loss? 1t must be at thu
expense OF the American grower and to hi
loss who, at present prices and with the presen
duty, Is being forced out OF the business b,
ruinous foreign competition. The injury, b!
the confession OF the majority, will fall upor
the American wool-grower. He is To be the frs
victim. He can find no profitable foreign mar
kct II he Is unable TO hold his own, nnd 1t 4
absurd to talk about enlarging the m ark ct for hi
product at home with the wool OF the worl,
crowding our shores unchecked by custom
house duties There were ia OOO 600 pounds o
wool imported into this country the last nsca
year. and our domestic product, as a result
even with duty OF 10 cents n pound on tn,
higher grades WAS diminished TO 265, 600 Oh
pounds. The bill will greatly increase inn
portations OF the foreign prod net and dimin
ish, II not wholly destroy, our own production
Every nation ought, III possible, 10 produce IL
clothing. we'll it's food. This nation cal
do both IL the majority Will let it alone.
should be borne in nina that our wool pro
duoers cannot compete with countries
where no winter feeding and but little summe
attention is required and where labor Is q
cheap, unless their industry has just and ad Q
quate protection. Js labor in manufacturer.
more deserving OF tho considerate concern o
Congress than labor engaged i'm the field o
agriculturo2 Both are useful and equal,
honorable and alike merit the thoughtful con
sideration of those charged with making law
The majority report asserts that we must pro
duce our WOODEN goods at lower cost and b.
able 70 undersell the foreign product. An,
after this, how In the lower cost 70 be secured
First by fleeing the wool grower, and next b,
reducing the labor cost I'm the manufacture
How are we TO undersell the foreign product
BY making the manufacturing cost OF GU
goods less than theirs. In other words, b.
cutting down the wages of our skilled an,
unskilied labor, not 10 tho foreign standar
simply, but below it. for the product mus
cost us less II we undersell our competitors
The American farmer will not quietl
workingman will Indignantly repcl thi
effort to degrade his labor. The maiorit
eravely inquire in their report; IF Congress
Grants the request OF the wool growers, whn