New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-15
THE TREATMENT OF PRODUCERH


The hearings BY the Committee OF Ways and
Means on the tariff question are substantially
ended though it is stated that the committee
will still invite information on particular
branches of business, as questions relating to
them come up for consideration. Opponents
of the protective policy denounced these pub
lie hearings when they were begun. and now
denounce the committee because they are to
be discontinued But much useful information
has been elected. opportunity has been given
to set forth freely and fully objections to the
protective policy, and the committee with per
feet proprety now exercises its own Judgment
in deciding when it is prepared to begin the
framing of bill. Manufacturers and other
producers have not been treated as thieves or
as enemies of American prosperity and in that
respect probably appreciate the change since
Mr.. Mills was at the head OF the committee.
1t is still the habit of some journals to as
sume that the American manufactures must he
knave, while the foreign importer is pure
hearted public bcnefactor. The importer or
American agent of foreign firm employs sun
dry clerks and porteIS. hut otherwise pays
nothing to the support Of American labor The
manufacturer employs hundreds or thousands
of citizens. who are supporting families and
bringing up children TO become citizens. The
importer sends abroad the money he collects
and il goes to purchase food and clothing for
foreign workers from foreign producers. he
American manufacturer sees the money en-
pended by him for labor Immediately dis
trhutod in the purchase of food from American
tanners. and clothing and furniture from
American mechanics The manufacturer APP
pcais publicly before the proper officers of his
Government and asks that existing laws shall
be enforced according to their intent or sub
mtS reasons for believing thai their contin-
u0nce will benefit the country. The importer
goes into the courts, and by tcchnicaliti"S OF
construction or questionable afldavts seeks TO
prevent the enforcement OF laws according to
their purpose Courts are constantly crowded
with suits Of importers against the Govern-
ment and yet they are by some held mp aS
public bcncfactors while the manufactures has
no standing in the courts against those who
NAV destroy his business. and If he asks Con
gre>s to listen is treated with unSpaiing abuse.
The people do not regret the growth OF man
ufactnreS when annual statements exhibit the
splendid progress Of American industry. They
are glad to learn that over S.0OO.00O tons OF
pig-ilon have been produced in year. and
worked into forms of utility. or that more hands
have been employed in cotton and wOollcn
mills than before. and larger supplies provided
for the use Of Americans. All are proud when
the yearly records prove that home industries
have made rcma kahlc gains in competition
with the industries Of other lands. The ad-
vance in wages Of labor ihc steady improve
ment in condition Of American workers. the
honorable part taken by host of manufact-
urers in Organizing. helping and wisely direct
ing labor to happier life. eiativ every good
citizen. But when the men who accomplish
all these things advocate the National policy
which has made such thing, possible. they are
by some habitually nSultcd A. if they were
public enemies
II is TIM 20 have done with this indecent
abuse OF cnteiprising and useful citizens. The
men who manage a business are Of all others
the boz, able 10 Judge about It's needs. and how
il can be- made mos; useful 20 the country, and
10 give information about il 10 lawmakers.
They are al least aS much entitled 10 crcdcncc
and courteous treatment rs the agent OF for
eign manufactures whose principal business
here is an attempt 10 cvade or defeat the laws
of the country.