Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1889-05-27
Low Ratcs-High Tariff
That Combination Beat Us Out of Our
Trade With British Columbia.

The following is summary OF the
proceedings of theSenatorial committee
at Portland as reported by the Oregon
ian, and as THE REVIEW has precisely
argued, the lower the tariff for the
Pacific coast, the better for the people.
Our Governor gives no uncertain sound
in his letter, and he is emlnently cor
rect upon this great subject of tariff
reduction.
The United States Senators compos-
ing the special committee on "Our re
latioLs with Canada" were ratker slow
getting down to work yesterday morn
ing. The session was announced to
begin at ten o'clock but it was 1880
before the committee reached the Board
of Trade room and the taking of testi-
mony was begun. The witnesses were
sworn and their statements were taken
verbatim by stenographer. Senator
Hoar presided and conducted the ex-
animation. Senator Hale asked great
many questions about the fishing indus
try and Senator Pugh took cousiders-
BILE interest in the testimony concern
ing wool. Senator Allison asked only
q few questions and left before the
afternoon session concluded. Senator
DoIph took a prominent part in the
proceedings.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
81 will, however, in Difference to
yonr request, state to You what is my
candid opinion, no matter what the
character of statistics requested by you
may be, that the interests of the whole
people of this country will be best sub
served by the removal of all burden
some trade restrictions upon lumber as
well as upon all other articles OF com
nerce required by the necessities of the
people. / am myself engaged in the
lumber business in this city. The com
pany l represent considers itself suffi-
cienlty able to manage its business and
prosecute IL livelihood without the in
tervening support of the government
by tariff restrictions upon foreign lum-
Der. To confess that 1t was not so able
would be to confess its lnferiority to
British manufacturing establishments,
which confession would not only be
pusillanimous but would also be most
untrue. AS you are aware, Senator, |
am in favor of the removal of all re.
strictions SO far as possible upon the
trade of our people. TO that end !
would greatly reduce the national rev.
enue procured from imports, which
method of taxation bears with such Sc
verify upon the industries Of the coun.
try and the necessities of life required
by the laboring classes, and would sup
ply the deficiency occasioned by such
reduction 10y the imposition of an in
come tax hy which the wealth of the
country ,uld he compelled to help
bear the burden of taxation for the
support of the government.
Staver and Walker said: "Were the
Canadian duty removed or lowered,
they would probably establish a branch
house in Victoria, and do business of
$4,000 to $4,000 year."
General William Kaffus said that
.slow rates on the Canadian Pacific and
high tariff drove American furniture
from the field"
Charles 81. Dood, hardware dealer,
told of the gradual falling off in Port
lands hardware trade with British
Columbia since 1860, caused by the in
crosse of duty, SO that now the only
things we can sell the Britishers are
safes, mowers, axes and common goods
He said the Portland merchants could
beat either the high tariff or the cheap
railroad rates, but not both combined.