The National tribune., 1890-03-27
AN OPEN LETTER.

non. YIN. Mch9Wtyl ~, tHdfWoH SO""'"-
tee on Ways and Means, House Of Repre-
sentafius
SIR: The public Journals contain esti-
mates which have an authoritative air that
the revised tariff schedule prepared by your
committee, and which viii be presented and
advocated by You, will reduce the revenues
in the neighborhood of $6O,OOO000
The announcement Of such radical on
slaught upon the National income is receiv-
ed by millions of thoughtful, patriotic peo-
pie with the gravest concern. 1t at once
recalls to them the serious menace to our
common prosperity contained in the Mills
bill, measure upon which they expressed
their decided disapprObation in the National
election of 1883. A fair measure of the
emphasis of their disapproval is furnished
by the fact that the author of that unpopu-
lar measure, who, in the last House, stood
in your present place at the head of the
Committee on Ways and Means now occu-
pies the 10th place upon it, with the Speaker
of the last House--also conspicuous for his
radical revenue reduction ideas--occupying
the ninth place.
In the election referred TO, which is the
most recent expression of the peoples
views on the subject, they manifested I'M
mistakably their belief that the clamor
about excessive revenues and surplus was
sensational clap-;rap, to mask the insidious
designs Of the Free Traders against the
prosperity of the country. They also rightly
felt that such raid upon the protective
system could not fail to produce widespread
disaster. The mere possibility that meas
ure could prevail which would reduce the
profits on manufacturing ont of all pro-
portion to the reduction of the revenue
and the avowed object of which was to send
to Europe hundreds of millions of dollars
per annum now spent at home, was sufficient
to chill every fountain of enterprise, and
awaken the strongest opposition. In every
part OF the country the people are strug
Cling under the disadvantages incident Il
new enterprises 10 build up factories which
will give employment to their fellow-citi
zens and furnish profitable markets 10
their farm products and raw materials
Their success in these efforts is not so grea
as TO enable them 10 lool: with indifference
upon legislation intended to bring then
into still sharper competition with the long
established factories and pauper labor 0
Europe, and TO send out OF the country vas
sums which should be expended in til
purchase Of American goods.
While ii Is true, Dir. Chairman, that you
bill, as it is understood, differs widely iron
that of Mr. Mills, and is especially free fror
its malignant hostility TO Northern manu-
featuring, yet it does not seem possible tina
anything like the amount Of reduction 1t
said TO contemplate in the revenues can b
made without great and vital detriment
every interest in the country. Sixty mi
lion dollars is about one-sixth the entir
revenues of the Nation. They mean eve
more than that proportion Of protection an
encouragement to our industries. Can 20
: believe that there can be reduction Of {
much as 10 per cent without running fa
. tories and interests in every communii
. which are now Of the highest importance
their several localities, and furnish emplo
ment, wages and local markets for millions
Are you aware Of any number of factori
n which are so prosperous as to be able
e stand such a reduction Of their prese
% profits without closing their doors? If y,
3 are we congratulate you upon the possessi
Do Of exceptionally pleasant knowledge, viii
q is not shared by any other man within o
% acquaintance.