Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-09
CONGRESSMAN SCOTT.
Old Letters Which VIII BE a Revelation
70 the E-ie Statesman.

q
William l.. Scott, of Erie, vas largely
interested in the manufacture of pig
iron in the Shenandoah valley,
he was one of the strongest adj
vocates OF the theory of a high
tariff to be found. A writer. signing
himself Protection, in O local paper
of Sharpsville. resurrects several old
letters signed by the Erie statesman
which will be a revelation TO that en-
inent gentlamaL.'s political associates
in the White House and Congress, and
probably an unpleasant surprise to Mr..
Scott himself. In 1870. when change
in tariff was being discussed in Con-
gress, the Democratic manufacturers in
and around Lancaster, becoming
alarmed at the attitude their party had
taken on the revenue question, issued a
circular letter to their members In Con-
gress and TO the public, protesting
against any reduction of the 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. 1t 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 as a Protectionist
Democrat. The cutlery against the re-
FOL h1- nt
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, 1879.
AS Democrats, and as manufacturers of pig
iron in the Shenango valley Mercer County.
Pa, we cordially adopt the sentiments en-
braced in the foregoing 0he Lencasser) crcu
lar, and add, as applicable to our own particu
lar section, that the retention OF the present
duty on pig iron is essential 20 the success OF
our business In the valley there are in opera
ton twenty four blast furnaces, producing 49,.
600 tons Of metal Coal IS produced in the vi
from the mines Of Lake Superior. In the
whole business an immense number of persons
are directly or indirectly employed as every
one at all 3onverSant with the business knows
These are all dependent on the success of the
furnaces FOR themselves and families. ANY
measure, therefore, ~afch will have the effect
to depress or entiress Suspend the iron bust
ness-as the proposed re5sotcn OF the tariff on
pig iron will dos greatly II be deprecated
We should also state tina. te addition to the
furnaces, there are in this whey four rolling
mills OF large capacity. This large iron bust
ness has grown up under the protection af
forded by our tariff laws, giving employment
TO thousands OF employees and q home market
for the products OF our farms, stimulating in
dustry in every department, adding to the COM
fort and wealth. and binding in harmonious in
terest our entire community. Why should this
prosperous state of AFFAIRS be disturbed: The
statistics of the iron trade will show that do
nestle competition is rapidly reducing prices
to the consumer. Four years ago pig iron sold
steadily in the Pittsburgh market for sf7 q 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
portat!on), and can not be materially reduced
unless by reduction of wages which, as
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 foreign capital and
labor for the supply of our wants, while our
own remains undevelored and unprotective:
Experience teaches that the interests Of con-
sumers is best promoted by encouraging do
nestle production, for whenever the manufact-
uring business of this country has been pros
trated. as II has several times been, by I'M
friendly legislation from other adverse
causes, the foreign manufacture invariably
takes advantage of the situation TO inspire
higher prices, and reap a rich harvest at the
expense of our country. until the manufactur-
ers are again encouraged TO resume operations.
We should regret 10 see the Democratic party
take false position on this great American
ques tion, by advocating policy hostile to
American industry. You are respectfully re-
ferred TO the proceedings of a meeting OF the
iron manufacturers at Sharon, Mercer County,
Pa, published IN the Bulletin of the Ameri-
can Iron and Steel Association" Philadelphia,
January r. IN which the cost OF manufacturing
pig iron, freight TO and expenses at Pittsburgh,
exclusive OF interest on capital, is stated at
1887 per ton, market price, 1864, leaving
s2.67 per ton profit which will surely not be re-
garded as eXtravagant Trusting that We shall
not have cause to complain OF the action OF
Congress in this behalf We remain your ODE
dent servants,
JAMES PIERCE JONAS PIERCE, SharpsvilIe
Furnace.
JAMES PIERCE, W. L. SCOTT, Mt. Hickory Iron
Works.
T. ALLEN, B. II. ALLEN, Allen Furnace
NORMAN HALL, Erie Furnace.
GEORGE BoYCE, NORMAN HALL, Sharon Fur |
mace.
GEORGE BoYCE. J. NJ. IRVINE, A. N CURTIS. |
Shenango Furnace.
Of the above signers, W. j. Scot. |
and Norman Hall are in Congress, tho |
former advocating free trade and the
latter not saying any thing on the
question. j. NJ. IRVINE, A. n. Curtis |
and George Boyce died at their homes
in Sharon. General James Pierce died |
at Sharpsville some years ago, and his
son, Jonas Pierce, formerly a Demo-
crat, was consistent enough to get on. |
of that party four years ago, and is
now a Republican. at present being a
of the Executive Committee OF |
the Republican State League. Mr. B.
II. Henderson is living at his home |
in this city. Mr.. +. 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 |
by the iron men proved true in every |
particular. The rate was reduced from |
about so or $12 to 81, serious embar-
followed, and many of the |