The Delta independent., 1889-05-21
AMERICAN VS.. MEXICAN LEAD.
Arguments on the Application Against
Admitting Lead Ores Free Of
Duty.

Arguments on the Application Against
Admitting Lead Ores Free Of
Duty.
Special to the Denver Republican.
WASHINGTON, d. c., MAY 16.-The
hearing in the lead ore case was continued
to-day before Assistant Secretary Tiche-
nor, and large and interested audience
was present. The opening argument was
made by Mr.. Bolback Of Newark, New
Jersey, In favor of the present ruling to
admit lead contained in silver ore free Of
duty. Mr.. Bolbsch argued that the min
crs enormously call these ores lead ores;
that the true definition was given by the
several Secretaries Of the Treasury ~ sill
yer ores. Congress alone can now change
It, and the present Secretary Of the Treas
ury could not reverse rule Of nine years.
standing. The smelters did not engage in
their present business prior to this decis-
ion, but only after having received the as
surance Of the former Secretary that this
ruling will not be deviated from. He cited
several authorities, amcng others one from
ex-Attorney General pevens, who held that
one Secretary could rot overrule the decis'
ion Of his predecessor.
Ex-Governor Grant Of Denver admitted
that his company purchased largely OF
these ores in Mexico through their agent,
Mr.. Matthews, and that they instructed
him to increase his purchases SO long as
the present ruling held good. He stated
that II the ores they purchased in this
country from mines contained more than
per cent. OF lead they called them lead
ores. Only those ores are silver ores which
contain NO Lead. He did not consider the
importation Of Mexican lead ores n SNUG
Cling. They were openly imported as eil-
yer ores under the ruling Of the Secretary
Of the Treasury. He also admitted that
they had extracted from these Mexican
ores 1900, 600 pounds Of lead.
He insisted that the present valuation Of
ores Ii wrong, for instead Of 2 cents per
pond, ~ given by the Ell Paso custom
house oficials, the valuation ought TO be
made according TO tho New York ruling
price, now about cents pound.
Mr.. Sheedy, Of Colorado, submitted
written argument describing the mode Of
aampling and assaying ores.
Mr.. Wright, of New Mexico, maintained
that equally ~ good ores are found in New
Mexico, but these could not be worked on
account Of the admission Of Mexican lead
ores free Of duty.
Mr.. James, OF Utah, presented . large
assortment OF samples Of lead and silver
ores, and some ofthe ores contained 81 per
cent Of lead and only IS ounces Of silver,
but this could only be ssccrtaincd by care
full assay. He considered the present
mode Of admitting orcs from Mexico with
put proper or careful assay great wrong.
Professor Blake Of Yale College made an
elaborate argument defining lead and stl-
vcr orcs, using many samples n illustra-
tons. He stated that lead ores usually carry
silver, but that silver ores do not carry
lead.
Judge Burnett OF Utah presented q large
number Of affidavits showing that these
Mexican ores arc lead, not silver ores.
Senator Wolcott Of Colorado closed tho
hearing. He expressed regret that his col
league, Senator Teller, wax unavoidably
absent MIR. wolcott declared that hc rep
resented In this hearing 20 per cent Of the
people Of Colorado but not one corporation
He asserted that II tho present ruling werc
allowed 70 remain in force much longer the
interests Of the miners would be crushed.
II, on the contrary,it should be reversed, It
would impart Q now impetus to the whole
region Of the Pacific Coast; he insisted that
the tari6 of 1883 was for the protection of
this country, and II not enforced Mexicos
interests would flourish while our interests
must suffer. Tho arguments advanced by
~ aSt thnf tho
Secretary Of the Treasury could not reverse
the decision OF former Secretaries were
all wrong. Tho Secretary had the power
to reverse tho ruling, and he hoped he
would enforce It. Neither was tho argu-
mcnt sound, that Congress alonc had the
power to change the present status. What
guarantee have we that the smclters will
not plead before Congrcss an advancement
OF their individual interests TO . lixc cx-
tcut as they havc done hercl The inter
cats OF the people arc beat guaranteed by
tho protective policy Of our present gov
crnment.
He thanked the delegates from Utah for
thcir interest In guarding tho interests Of
the miners In this country against tho en-
croachmcnt Of Mexican interests, since, as
tho present ruling stands, only Mexico 10
benefited, whilo our miners arc crushed
out OF existence.
The smcltcrs asked and obtained leave
to prepare answers 70 the submitted atiida-
vita. --.s4--
Assistant Secretary Tichcnor thanked
the delegates for their attendance, and
smilingly pointing to the samples, said,
''that hc had made that much anyhow"
Assistant Secretary Tichcnor says that
the question will be thoroughly considered
by tho department, but cannot well bo de-
cided for . month yot.
Foreign Missionary Work.
Boston, Mass. May l5.-The celc-
bration Of tho seventy fifth anniversary Of
tho American baptist Missionary Union