The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-08-10
CONGRESSMAN SCOTT.

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT.
Old Isteses which WIN He . Revclat.sa
TO the Erie Statesman.
just eighteen years ago. when Hon.
William L. Scott. Of Erie, was largely
interested in the manufacture Of pig
iron in the Shenandoah valley.
he was one Of the strongest ad-
vocates Of the theory of q high
tariff to be found. A writer. signing
himself Protection" iE o local paper
Of Sharpsville. resurrects several old
letters signed by the Erie statesman
which will be revelation to that en-
inent gentleman's political associates
in the White House and Congress. and
probably an unpleasant surprise to Mr..
Scott himself. In 1870, when q change
in tariff was being discussed in Con-
gress. the Democratic manufacturers In
and around Lancaster. becoming
alarmed q. the attitude their party had
taken on the revenue question. issued q
circular letter to their members in Con-
gress and to the public. protesting
against any reduction Of tho tariff on
pig iron. The arguments used were
similar and even stronger than those
advanced by Messrs. Kelley. Mckinley.
Reed and other protectionists in the
House Of Representatives during the
present session. It will be interesting
to read Mr.. SCOTS remarks on the
..Braddock Farmer" and compare the
tone of the address with the letter,
which he signed us a Protectionist
Democrat. The outcry against the re-
duction was taken up by manufact-
urers all over the State and in the
Shenango valley. A second letter,
signed by twelve iron men OF Sharon.
Erie and Sharpsville. was forwarded
to Washington. w. L. Scott and Nor
man Hall both signed the circular,
which was as follows:
sHARpsvuLE, MERCER COUNTY, PA.
January, 1871.
As Democrats, and Is manufacturers Of pie
iron In the Shenango valley, Moscer County.
Pa, We cordially adopt the sentiments EN-
braced in the foregoing Cthe Lancsster) oircu-
lar. and add. Is applicable to our own particu
lar section. that the retention OF the present
duty on pig iron 10 essentis: 70 tie success Of
our business. In the valley there are In opera
ton twenty four blast furnaces producing $50.
600 tons of metal Coal Is produced In the VI
cinitv Of the furnaces and the ore is brought
from the MINES of Lake Superior. In the
whole business an immense number OF persone
ern anH1x S,As nVsoA
one ct ali sonversant with the business knows
These are all dependent on the success OF the
furnaces for themselves and families. ANY
measure, therefore, ~sfph will have the effect
to depress or entre< tuspeud the iron bust
ness-as the proposed reSNotscn OF the tariff on
pig iron will dos greatly - be deprecated
We should also state that 70 addition TO the
furnaces, there are in shis whey four rolling
mills of large capacity. This large iron bust
ness has grown up under the projection NJ
forded by our tarin laws, giving employment
to thousands Of employees and home market
for the products OF our farms, stmUsetng IN.
dustry IN every department, adding 10 the COM
fort and wealth. and binding IN harmonious In
terest our entire community. Why should tbs
prosperous state Of affa rs be disturbeds The
statistics Of the iron trade Will show that do
mestic competition IS rapidly reducing prices
to the consumer. Four years ago pig iron sold
steadily In the Pittsburgh market for ~ . ton;
now it Is worth only So, while the cost Of pro
duction remains substantially the same lex
cept by improved facilities and cheaper trans.
portation), and con not DO materially reduced
unless by q reduction Of wages, which. Is
friends OF humanity, we do not desire.
Should the alternate be presented to the
manufacturer TO either suspend operations or
reduce the cost Of manufacture By reducing
wages TO the European standard, such must
be the effect OF Withdrawing protection. Is It
not better that our own resources be devel-
oped. and our own people employed. than that
we should be dependent on fore .gn capital and
labor for the supply Of our wants, while our
own remains undevelol ed and unprotective:
Experience teaches that the interests of con-
aumers 10 best promoted by encouraging do
mestic production, for whenever the manufact-
ur;ng business Of this country has been pros
trated, as il has several times been. by uu-
friendly legislation or from other adverse
causes. the foreign manufacturer invariably
takes advantage Of the situation TO inspire
higher prices, and reap rich harvest at the
expense Of our country, until the manufactur-
ers are again encouraged to resume operations.
We should regret TO see the Democratic party
take o false position on this great American
question, by advocating . policy hostile to
American industry. You are respectfully re-
ferred TO the proceedings Of meeting OF tho
iron manufacturers at Sharon, Mercer County.
can Iron and Steel Association" Philadelphia.
January Il, IN which the cost OF manufacturing
pig iron, freight to and expenses at Pittsburgh,
exclusive Of interest on capital, is stated at
tSaSs per ton, market price, 1884, leaving
t2.67 Fer ton profit which will surely not be re-
garded rs extravagant Trusting that We shall
not have cause to complain OF the action of
Congress in :his behalf We remain, your obe-
dent servants,
7 DIR In
Furnace.
JAMES PIERCE, w. L. SCOTT, Mt. Hickory Iron
Works
F. ALLEN, b II. ALLEN, Allen Furnace
NORMAN HALL, Erie Furnace.
GEORGE BOYcE, NORMAN HALL, Sharon Fur
mace.
GEORGE BoYcE. ]. N. IRVINE, A. n. CuRrm,
Shenango Furnace.
OF the above signers, w. L. Scott
and Norman Hall are in Congress, tho
former advocating free trade and the
latter not saying any thing on tho
question. j. M. Irvine. A. n. Curtis
and George Boyce died at their homes
in Sharon. General James Pierce died
ct Sharpsville some years ago. and his
son, Jonas Pierce. formerly Q Demo-
crat, was consistent enough to get on.
Of that party four years ago, and II
now a Republican. at present being a
member of the Executive Committee O.
the Republican State League. Mr.. b.
H. Henderson is living at his home
in this city. Mr.. F. Allen resides
at Hermitage, three miles east OF
town.
The writer, who evidently under
stands the tariff question. goes on to
demonstrate that the prediction made