New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-22
CONNECTICUT FOR PROTECTION.

RECENT EMPHATIC CTTERANCE OF THE LEU
IsIATURE-A LARGE MAJORITY FOR 1T.
Hartford, Conn., Oct. 81 CspeciaD.-Although Con-
necticut is all hands recIoncd doubtful State,
there does not appear much reason therefor Nothing
but a general dissemination OF knowledge Is needed
to mako the state surely Republican II the people
only made TO realize that the tariff s the one great
issue OF the campaign there Is doubt as TO how the
majority OF them will vote. Connecticut Is too
largely Inhabited by wage-earners and TOO dependent
for prosperity upon her manufacturers TO endure any
such meddllng with the tariff the NILS bill pro-
poses. There can be no installing the real sentiment
of the people this subject since the emphatic man
ncr in which It was not long ago put officially on
record by the representatives of the people OF the en-
tire State. This record was made during the last
session OF the Legsature-a body Of more than 0rul-
nary intelligence thoughfulness and public spirit
and the facts OF the case may we'll be recalled
The last Legislature met In January, and on the
18th Of that MONTH only few days after the opening
Of the session. the following resolution was introduced
by Senator Gallagher, of New-Haven:
Resolved, That the Federal taxes imported lumber,
coal, iron and copper wool and salt are serious
damage the OF Connecticut and that our Senators
and Representatives in Congress are hereby requested 10
every endeavOr TO place these articles on the Tree '
before the of the present session Of Congress
This resolution. cmoodyfng some OF the cardinal
principles OF the Mills bill. referred to tho Com
mlttee on Federal Relations But in order that the
subject might be brought more forciby before the
public mind and TO insure a more positive commiual
of the members on the issue involved, Andrew f.
Higgins, OF Greenwich, also introduced the following
for consideration
Whereas 1t is the prime duty sole function.
OF every and provide for the contnu
GUS welfare citizens in all their relations ana
conditions and
whereas The experience OF a quarter OF century
under establish foster and develop
Industry necessary important entire Independence
hfs Nafon NJ natl has
growth expansion the National and wealth
far beyond sangu'ne ancipations and unparal
eled by anything within the known history OF the world
and !
Whereas In this marvellous progress every one has
participated the least the greatest and Is now
pride AMI boast that the aborns citizens OF the United
States the best paid the best fed and the the best
maintained OF all similar classes in the world and It
evident that in all other quarters OF the world depes
trade conflict of sections rumOrs and threats Of
war and and increasing taxation, cause our
rivals in production to look with envous and covetous
eyes this market and exchange OF every proiuct
therefore, be #
Resolved Tint Connecticut, integral part OF this
Unon recognizes the supreme victory OF the
protective system shown by experience and that
is the only policy for this Government and Is neceS
sary to preserve laborng classes from the banefu
effect OF competition with the pauper labor Of foreign
countries.
Resolved That regard all attempts to break down
system OF enemies Of the true welfare OF
citizens who. by the loss OF our industries woud %
reduced the condition of the people OF Ireland and India
Resolved That we deem the duty OF our senators anu
Representatives Congress Withstand and resist oil at
tenps at indscTiminate reduction OF duties, and while
freely admitting all proper rcvisions yet to suffer no
change whereby advantages gained may be lost or any In
dusry struggling existence be destroyed by both
sarily be niuriously affected. . -,
These Mr. Higgins proposed as substitute ior inc
followed. Such was the interest In tho matter ma.
TO hold public sessions, at which citizens might ap
pear and argue the case At one OF these hearings
there was an amusing scene Leading Dem hsn S 90
real author of the frce-trade resolution OF senator
Gallagher, came forward to defend his child He had
little frcc-trade speech already. pr1ned ana ioeneu
and talked with a great assumption of superiority to
the common herd Of mere practical business men:
But he got fairly started on the advantage
he per, onay would derive from free coal and iron
when some unfeeling Republicans began 10 ask en-
barrassing questions. so nconsiderate were they
that IN about five minutes they elected from him the
fact that actually did not know the prices OF coal
and at the mines nor the cost OF transportation
Nor did the inqustors stop there but they made him
confess that the of the coal iron and other raw
materials used by him bore but an nsgnihcsnt pro-
norton TO the cost of the labor employed In working
them up. In fact he admitted virtually that me
arprcciably bring down prices TO the consumer, and
that the only way in which the latter could be ac-
complished TO reduce the wages OF the WORK
This typical Free Trader also said that he had not
reduced The market price Of his patented manufact.
mes spondngiy with the reduction in cost Ct
materieis but having monopoly, maintained ar
tifrary prices. as high he pleased He Thought ne
had perfect right TO make all the money he could no
matter whose expense. so long as he broke no laws
/ As his manufactures consisted chiefly Of patented
articles OF which he has monopoly he does rot. OF
course fear foreign competition and II Is. therefore
not a. all surprising ind him now loudly calling for
free trade and supporting Mr. Cleveland In his crusade
in that direction. go ,
These hearings went for some time, with the
drift Of testimony daily becoming more overwhelming
against free trade. until at last the Democratic chair
man OF the committee got disguised ard called halt
The original resolution cf senator Gallagher then came
up II was supported only by Democrats and was
! Overwhelmingly defeated The protectonist resolu-
| lions OF Mr.. Higgins then taken up and adopted
BY a tremendous majority.