The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-04-11
Tariff Agitation Now and Then.

That m my Important business inter
ests OF the country are profoundly
moved by the menace OF the Mckinley
bill is patent to the most careless OBJ
servers. Petitions and memorials pro-
testing against leading features of the
measure are ponring upon Congress in
every mail, and IL is evident that a ty-
rannical application OF party discipline
to refractory members alone could Sc
cure its passage. Republican Repre-
sentattves In the manufacturing centres
OF the country cannot close their eyes to
the tact that the bill seriously threat
ems some OF the leading industries of
their constituents.
When the Mills Tariff oill was under
consideration two years ago the Re-
publicaL orators and organs made al!
the circumambient air rssound with
their outcries against tariff agitation.
The wicked free traders were denounced
in uumeasured terms for wantonly and
miscbievously disturbing the great
manufacturing industries of the
country when quiet was necessary for
their prosperity. OF course, in the sgi-
tation of Tariff Reform a certain de-
gree OF business disturbance was una
voidable. But in view of the certain
and permanent improyem of indus
trial conditions by a reform Of the tar
iff the Democrats in Congress were not
deferred from graphing with the ques-
tion by fear or a transient arrangement
of few departments of trade.
Yet the reproach which was then
made against the Democratic party, in
all forms of partisan exaggeration. may
now be brought against the Republi-
cans in Congress with the most COM
p etc justice. For eighteen years the
great tanning and leather manufacture
ing Industries of the country. employ
ing many thousands of men and many
millions OF capital, reposed in the con-
hdent belief that their business would
be 10 further disturbed by tariff legis
lstion. In the enjoyment of large
export trade. affording a sure market
for their surplus products, they sought
no increase or protection. They asked
only to be let alone. But In the midst
or their prosperity these industries have
been startled by the proposition in the
Mckinley bill 70 impose a duty on their
raw materials, thus threatening their
domestic ard foreign trade with cou>
fusion and disaster.
SO with the great carpet industries.
The carpet manufacturers have no.
4
duties. under which but small quant>
| ity OF foreign carpets have been import.
| ed. Although The duty on their raw
material is extremely buTdensOme,
many OF them have been willing to bear
/ it rather thad that the ordinary course
| of their business should become de-
/ ranged. But the carpet manufactur-
ers have been aroused from their
repose by threatened increase of forty
| per cent. in the duty on their raw ma
/ terial. Upon the industries that have
/ been created for canning meats, fruits
/ and vegetables is to be inflicted the
/ penalty OF a double duty on tin-plate
/ for the purpose of calling into being a
manufacturing monopoly. 10 order 10
silence clSmOr against oppression in
\ one direction bait is offered to greed
I in another and TO this end the silk
schedule Is TO be completely derapged,
| although the great cody OF silk manu-
/ facturers are content with the existing
rates. In addition 10 the increased du-
ties on wool, il is proposed that the
| the rates on chemicals and dyes.uffs
| shall ne raised or changed, TO the furthN
/ er embarrassment OF textile industries.
: Specific duties are to he changed 10 sd
/ valorem and al vslorem tc specific. and
in many instances IL is proposed thai
/ both shall be compounded which
I would cause inextricsole confusion aud
l inumeral J. lawsuits.
III al this be be not a wantop dis
/ turbance OF industry aud trade, whal
else is II II is hardly possible that
/ such amOnstrOsity should become a law
/ Should il be passed, however. N spite
| of the tremendous opposition il has en-
I countered in New England and else
! where, IL would give an impetus TO such
an agitation for Tariff Reform as The
country has never yet witnessed. And
whether passed or not, the Republican
party must be held responsible for The
malignant and wanton attack which Is
made upon numerous and impnrtaC
American industries BY the Mckinley
Tariff bill.-PhtId. Record.