New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-03
THE thrift REPORT


against the Mills Tariff BILL document rarely
surpassed for cogent reasoning, Will be reao
by all who wish to know why the measure Is
earnestly opposed. 1t states compactly, but
with force, The rcasOnings and information
to which the Democratic majority deliberately
refused TO give any attention. The people,
however, will consider them. Twenty-Five
years Of unexampIcd progress and prosperity
under the protective tariff have disposed every
candid and prudent citizen to weigh with care
the objections to any radical change proposed.
But the fact that tie trainers of the pending
bill worked in the dark, did not dare to face
the testimony of wofkingmen or the criticisms
Of Republicans, and ndecently disiegarded
both courtesy and the rules IN connecting the
measure, is sufficient reason for scfutinizing
with especial care the measure and the grounds
on which it Is opposed.
The minority point out that the measure Is
radical reversal of policy which has pre-
vailed, almost without interruption, ever since
the formation of the Government. The proofs
offered that this radical change is the object OF
the proposed measure every candid reader VIII
fud exceedingly convincing. Without here
repeating the multitude of evidences which
the minority find in the bill, attention may be
espeoialy called to the most conspicuous
The change to ad valorem instead of spe-
cifc duties according to the testimony OF al
most every Secretary of the Treasury, is GER
tain 10 invite fraud. On this point the official
report of Secretary Manning is quoted, as con-
elusive proof that the greatly increased under
valuations, to which the measure would GER
tainly lead. must be q result welcomed, If not
~ lxo iIsOc
TO his recommendations. If the secret con-
spracy of which this BID is the fruit were ior
no other purpose than to benefit foreign at the
expense Of American producers, it could not
have chosen more effective method.
Taking up the industries chiefly afected'
the minority submits reasons for its behef that
the changes proposed can have no other ten
dency than to depress or destroy home produc-
ton The prostratiOn Of agriculture, by put
ting wool, seeds, roots, peas, beans, milk
meats, poultry. fruits, vegetables, hemp and
fax on the free liSt the prCstatlon OF many
manufactures, by imposing duties as high or
higher on the finished product than on the raw
materials the sweeping reduction of duties
when. in the careful revision of 1888, mod
crate increase was found necessary; and the
shameless sectionalism of the BILL in attempt
| ing to favor only certain producers OF the
| South; these arc among the features of the
| bill which receive especial attention.
The argument ON wool and woollens Is es-
peoially forcible, because it not only discloses
| the ignorance in which the bill was framed
but makes especially clear the intent to favor
foreign against home industry. 1t is shown
that The majority distinctly propose to secure
cheaper wool by making wool free, and at the
cost of more than a million farmers. If they
are to suffer for the benefit of manufacturers
the minority protests. But the carding, comb
ing and securing machinery, all over the coun-
try, would be rendered useless, because wool
thus treated would be admitted free of duty
The ready-made clothing business would be
transferred TO foreign makers, and clothiers
tai,ors and sewing-womcn would be deprived
Of employment, because the duty on finished
clothing would be no higher than, and as to
many articles not as high, as the duties on the
materials used To the plea that the man.
ufacturcr could send goods to foreign markets
the reply is peculiarly convincing The best
market in the world is our own, if we only have
patriotism enough to defend it for American
industry.
The report Of the minority is crowded with
| information regarding pnces and Wages-the
wonderful reduction in cost of products already
effected by homo competition, and the vast
difference between wages paid here and in
other eountries-which leads the reader to con-
clude that the Ozark Lantern Committee wa:
most wise in its cowardy refusal to confront
the minority in any discussion of the measure
But tho array of facts and reasons cannot be
kept from the people, though Democratic
methods may sti6e discussion in the committee
and cut it short in the House.
The minority meets with crushing reply The
claim that this bill must be passed in orde
to reduce the surplus. II cites many proof
that reduction Of duties only increases revenue
shows how greatly revenue has been reduced
by many Republican acts, and how pitlfuii'
the Democratic party has failed to do anythinj
of the sort, and points out that the President
with ample power under existing laws to bu'
bonds, need not have permitted the surplus L
accumulate The report is not only the unan
imous opinion Of the Republican members o
tho committee; it viii probably have the sup
port of all Republican members of the House
It's trainers deserve the thanks OF all defender
of homo industry for an argument 30 timely
so instructive and SO convincing.