Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-05

giving the greatest benefit TO the
greatest number Of people. He hoped
the tho committee believed in that,
and II so this bin would never become a
law.
He then introduced Henry w. Curtis,
representing the silk and velvet interests,
who announced himself az protectionist
Republican. The silk commisson-houses.
he said. were more largely interested in
domestic silks than IN the foreign article.
Their money was in domestic mills, and,
including tho importing and manufactu-
ring, the importers Of Now York repre-
sentcd $500. OO0, 900 of capital. The McKin-
ley bill bore hardest upon the people who
could afford 10 least-those using cheaper
silks. As you. GO up in value" said tho
witness, lyon 60 down in duty The
duty on ordinary gros-grain silk costing 80
TOGO cents q yard was 80 per cent, and on
the same article costing SIPS the duty Is
56 per cent. Moreover, the Mckinley ad-
ministrative bill would increase the duty
on silks and satins all along the line about
8 per cent, because of duty placed on
packages and cartoons. He took up the
matter Of ribbons and showed that the
duty on these also diminished as they rose
IN value.
Senator Voorhees,: What reasons of trade
are there requiring that cheaper grades Of
silk shall may higher duty than more
costly gradesy
MIR. Curtis: That is sumner 10 us.
lLaugbter.l The American Silk AssociG-
tion and the Treasury Department. he as
sorted. were in favor Of leaving the duty
whore II was-at 80 per cent. Domestic
mills had thriven on that rate of duty. He
shonld say most decidedly that there was
enough protection at present. As Pro-
tectlQnist he would not have the duty any
less, but "lct US" he said. "stapd at 50
per cent ; that il as much az the American
silk Association wants"
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session Of the commit
tee Daniel Mckcever protested against tho
increased duty on coat-linings. pushes
and Astrachan cloths: b. b. Worrell against
the increase on cotton velvets; Dir. Car
Isle. of New York, against the linen sche-
dulles. and Maurice Lowye against the in
crease on hosiery and underwear. ID. A.
Nanhon spoke against any increase Of duty
on glass; A. III. Sexton. representing the
Wholesale Hardware Association, against
the proposed increase on cutlery; Mr..
Gibbs against the lace duty: b. Blumen-
thai against the rate Of duty on buttons
Charles Il. Mcclellan against the duty on
coTsets; Mr. Richards on braids; Mr..
Thomas on tobacco; Mr. TiInms on gro
cers' supplies; J. w. Highlander on specta-
ces; j. l.. McCade on wood pulp; Mr..
Fletcher on shawls. and II. X. Fox on hops.
A protest of business firms Interested in
folts was submitted. 1t objects TO the
Mckinley bill as doubling the duties.
At the conclusion OF the hearing Mr..
Constable thanked the committee for It's
attention and consideration and expressed
his earnest hope that it would do some
thing 20 settle properly the tariff question
WHICH was now being agtated to the detri-
mont of the business interests OF the whole
country.
senator Sherman responded for the CON-
mittec, saying it had heard tho speaker:
with great interest and would give due
consideration TO all that had been said.
The printed protest presented to the
committee by Mr. Constable is signed by
the people of New York city. 1t embodies
seventy pages Of argumentative reports OF
sub-committees representing the verious
branches Of trade. and concludes by say
ing that. in view Of these reports and many
others of like tenor, the memOriaists re-
specially protest against the enactment
Of the pending bill.