Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-27
THE NORTHWEST
TARIFF REFoRMERs DINE.
Addresses by Mr.. Arthur T. Lyman
William Llyod Garrison And
Others, -
Boston Post, Feb. 81

-syiEE -ftf |-A-
Boston Post, Feb.6.l
The members of the Massachusetts,
Tariff Reform League had the attitude
of men entirely at peace with the world
at their dinner at tue ThorDdike last
evening, and the after-dinner dis
cussion betokened nothing OF the ma
ture of failing cause. On the con-
trary, several of the speakers took occa'
sion to dwell upon the bright outlook
for the future. The presiding officer
was the Hon. Harvey N. Shepard and
the attendance was more than 100. AT
ter dinner Mr.. Shepard made brief ad-
dress and introduced Mr.. Arthur L. Ly-
man, who spoke chiefly upon the in
fluence of the tariffupon the woolen In
dustry, and particularly with reference
to carpet woods. "The wOolen indus
try,n he said, "is the most unprotected
of the protected industries, and 1t is
now proposed to protect it a little bet
ter bya process of strangulation. 1t is
perfectly manifest that nearly all of the
imports OF third class woods have been
used by the carpet manufacturers, the
change In, carpet wool has not been as
great as that of other wool, and very
few carpets are now imported. Not
withstanding this fact, the carpet trade
is in q very unsatisfactory condition,
and vet some manufacturers have been
trying to bring about still greater pro-
lection and stop all the looms. Since
1867 our manufacturers have had a
practical monopoly in carpet manufac-
turing, but it has now come to be an
evil instead of a benefit. When the
business began there was not an ade-
quate supply of carpet machinery in
this country, and a good deal of profit
was made. This, of course, resulted In
large increase in the machinery, but
with this came the domestic compe-
tition, which was as bad as foreign and
has brought about the present unsatis-
factory condition of trade.n - a....
He quoted from Daniel Webster, who
In 1924 said, when 1t was proposed to
increase the duty on wool and wooden
machinery, that their condition was
better as it was than ii the duty was in
creased, and that he believed it would
q do Tagriculturists more harm than good.
'sThis,n said he, Though spoken by
Daniel Webster in 1924, IS applicable to
the present day." He made further
quotations, which was printed in the
Daily advertiser. of that date. ut
was called the respectable daily at
that time, although some might object
to giving it that title at the present."
ELAughter1 Continuing, he said: ENG
iish and German manufacturers have
been doing large business oflate, and
it is certainly mortifying to receive
their circulars of active prices in the
wool trade and contrast it with the pres
ent unsatisfactory state of the business
and market here. 1t is almost impossi-
BILE to get any carpet wool in this coun-
try; that of Ohio and Texas is used for
other purposes and commands higher
prices than carpet manufacturers can
afford to pay. When one considers
that 10 cents per sheep is netted to the
Russian peasants for his carpet wool, 1t
will be readily seen that it would require
3 CONSUMPTION to grow carpet wools in
this country" Applause. Mr.. Ly.
man then spoke of the mutual profit
which would result to both this and for
eign countries If the products of each
were allowed to enter duty free into the
other. Returning to the matter OF
woolen manufacturing, he said that the
high tariffon wool has resulted in a
great increase in the use of shoddy; in
fact some mills have ceased to use Wool.
II believe, 'said he, "that it is for the
interest of the wool grower that duty
should be taken off. We do not want
to take it all off at once, but are willing
10 make some compromise. think
25 per cent. duty would operate advan-
tageously; and after trial of q few
years ofthat tariff am pursuaded that
Che wool grower himself would not ask
for an increase. Of course we cannot
expect to export any carpets, the cost is
80 great. notice Mr.. Blaine says we
still export them to Canada, but must
believe that the only kind now sent to
Canada are the poor quality having q
cotton warp and hair filling. Zap
plause.
Mr.. William Lloyd Garrison was the
next speaker and made a witty address
He said that, brief as the existence OF
the Tariff Reform League had been, it
marked an era of progress which had
been as cheering to 1t as it must have
. been dismal to the Home Market Club.
The reign ofGrover was over, the
college professors and theorists were
routed and the ''practlcal"m were al
che helm, But on January |, 1890
when the trial balances were footed up
the great profits were not forthcoming
che "practicaW men had been acting a
theory which has not proved successful
as they would have US believe. The
laugh is now with the college pro
sessors and theorists, andthey will con.
tinue to odispense education at the old
stand. i[Applause,] ~
Mr.. Edward Atkinson told few
stories quite to the point. Mr.. Henry
@. Thatcher spoke of the discouraging
condition of the wool growers al
stated by themselves. Mr.. Rober
Niven, barrister of England, hoped
chat America would soon follow
in the footsteps of the mothe
country and adopt her policy o
free trade. Presiding officer Shepard
spoke of the encouraging outlook fol
she future, which closed the meeting
Cta uklinn niacloaure