The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-18

belNeS IlNuGuAOAo "
either the number or character Of the
crowd.
The Price OF PISwS, ct al.
1t is favorite argument of the Free
Traders, advanced to show that pro-
tectiye tariff increases the cost OF the
protected article, to say thatplows manu-
featured in this country are sold in the
United States at much higher prices
than in Canada. Generally the poll par.
rots say the plows cost twice as much on
this side Of the border, On Tuesday
the Market street Poll Parrot gave this
chestnut argument in its columns, de-
claring that Oliver chilled plows sell for
SIG in the United States and for $l2 in
Canada. A Canadian newspaper which
was consulted, shows that the retail
price Of the pillow referred to there is Sl9,
and the merchant who advertises it
speaks OF having reduced it from Sl5 re-
Gently. Now, as to the price Of the same
pillow in Wheeling. Anybody who de-
sires to satisfy himself on this point has
but to inquire of local dealers, who will
be glad 10 sell all the oliver chilled
plows wanted for S1l each, this being
their customary retail price.
This is but another case OF falsehood
deliberately invented to bolster up a
weak cause. Once started every poll
parrot repeats it, with the squeaky re-
frain, "Now, how do you explain that,
lift is not due to the tariff"
1t is easily explained. 1t is the same
explanation as in the ancient narrative
of boy who pointed to a girl beside
lzAim and said: "This girl and have
the same father and mother, and yet
she is not my sister" The explanation,
you remember, is that the boy lied.
There is another argument OF the same
kind, advanced early in the campaign,
and promptly exploded. The Wheeling
Polly has not yet learned this speech,
but it may be expected before long to
squeal out: "The Ames shovels, made
in Boston, sell at Sc a dozen in the
United States and for g Of right across
the border in Mexico" The fact that this
story has been proven false will only
make our own local Polly scream it the
louder. This particular faisehood first
gained publicity through the Balti,
more Sun in the shape Of letter from
Ladner & Brother, merchants, doing
business in Texas, to one Mr.. Negley, Of
Maryland. In that letter, LadnCr &
Brother undertook TO give the wholesale
prices at which they purchased "thc
Ames shovel" 1t seems they also carry
on merchandising business across the
Rio Grande, in Mexico. They said that
for tho shovels they bought for their
American store they paid 50 per dozen
in New York; but that for the same
shovel bought for export to Mexico, they
paid 81 81 per dozen, delivered at their
Mexican store. The implication was
that the American consumer was thus
Disseminated against in favor OF the
Mexican "greaser," and that "Protec-
ton" enabled the shoyel-maker to main
tain these higher rates against the do
nestle consumer.
The figures in the SIN article were so
evidently "rigged" and bore the charac-
ter OF falsehood so plainly on their face,
the editor OF the Tariff Ltaqus Bulletin
referred the matter for yeridcaion to
Oliver Ames & Sons. We append their
reply. 1t convicts Ladner & Brother OF
a deliberate Justification.
BosroN, Oct. 4, 1883.
Mr. Henry IT. Hoyt, % Test Trenty.thhd s:reet,
Nelg York city:
DEAR SR:-Your letter OF the 18th
ultimo, enclosing cutting from the Balti-
more Sun, is at hand.
In regard to the statement made in the
Sun, can only say that it is absolutely
untrue. For the goods manufactured by
the Oliver Ames & Sons Corporation
there is but one set OF prices and dis
counts, and the same prices are given to
the exporter and to the larger wholesale
dealers. This is plainly stated ON the
printed circular which we send out with
our price list to any hardware dealer
asking for the same.
The cheapest shovel which We make
is from unpublished sheet iron, and
costs, delivered in New York City, 81 OIL
per dozen, and We never sold dozen
shoves less than that price. So that
the freight from New York to Mexico
would have to be added. ii the shovel
came from us. Any shovel we make,
which would cost So per dozen, ex-
elusive Of freight, iwhould be either OF
welded steel with cast-steel edge, or en-
tirely OF cast-steel, very much superior
in quality and finish to the cheaper
shovel, and could not DO compared in
any respect with 1t.
The letter to Mr.. Negley has been sent
broadcast over the country, and appa-
rently has furnished a great deal Of CAPT
tal TO the advocates Of the Mills bill.
do not know oiwhom Messrs. Ladner
& Brother bought their shovels, but
they certainly never bought anysgoods
OF us.
am yours, very respectfully,
OLIVER AMEs.
whore Is TINT surplus9
Official figures seldom lie, and no
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