The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-05
REASON SHOULD PREVAIL.

II Mr.. e. A. Locke, = member Of the
New York Republican State Committee, Is
not mistaken, IN error has been made in
the Mckinley bin which the Senate should
promptly rectify, and the House. inciud-
ing Mr. Mckinley, should - promptly
concur in the amendment.
Mr.. Locke's statements are contained in
: letter to the New York Tribune. He
writes temporarily and seems TO have
perfect understanding in regard TO the sub
ject matter Of his communication. The
original motive Of his letter was to contro-
vert certain remarks made by Mr.. Brosias.
Of Pennsylvania, pending consideration OF
the tobacco schedule Of the tariff bill in the
House. Referring 10 the manufacturers OF
cigars At Key West, Mr.. Bros1us character
lied them as"the scum of Cuba, morally
and intellectually the interiors OF Chinese"
Mr.. Locke declares. on personal knowl-
edge obtained a. their neighbor, that the
Cuban settlers at Key West comprised. be-
fore coming to this country, ''sone OF the
weaithiest, nohlest and best citizens OF the
island, who sought political freedom under
our dag. and established on our shores an
industry which our American workingmen
hare adopted with great profit to them
selves" They have become naturalized,
are good citizens, progressive and able
business men, some of them are state off,
GERS, all are intelligent, industrious and
charitable. With very rare exceptions they
have been identified with the Republican
party. and have contributed very largely to
whatever successes II has achieved in
Florida.
The industry, Mr.. Locke declares, gives
employment and support to not less than
twenty thousand people. This industry.
and the employment Of all these people, he
emphatically insists, will be completely
destroyed, absolutely wiped out. and these
desirable citizens, with their large capital.
driven back to their native land and its
obnoxious political expressions. by reason
OF the increased duty affixed by the McKi6-
ley bill on tobacco suitable for cigar wrap
pers. Whatever benefits accrue to any
body will be reaped by the Cuban manu-
facturers Of Havana cigars. The Key West
establishments have simply had the effect
Of creating . new industry on American
soil. II has provided homemade sub
stitute for the imported article, afforded ~
reduced price, and supplying . demand
which cannot be met with cigars made
with Connecticut wrappers.
Accepting Mr.. Lockes statements a. true
--and it would seem easy to test their &C.
curacy-then IL would appear that there
are not two sides to the controversy. 1t is
certainly unjust, impolitic and . ruthless
exercise OF power to destroy an industry
such Is this Is represented rs being. THROW
ing so large number OF people ont Of en-
ployment and support. unless It can be UNI
mistakably shown that such action is in re-
Spouse TO some great public necessity. 1t
10 conceded that il any benefit is likely to
accrue to any portion OF the tobacco grow
ers Of the United States il viii be confined
to . limited number who are engaged in
that branch OF agriculture along the Con.
necticut valley. who can supply but small
fraction of the increased demand.
But it is improbable that they Will derive
any spprecIab,e benefit. The main, If not
the exclusive effect will be TO drive those
who have been accustomed to use the Key
West cigars into the use of imported Hs-
vanas. And thus an American industry,
profitable alike to producers and con-
sumers. constantly growing In volume and
importance. will have been DESTROYED,
mainly for the benefit of foreign COMPETE
tors. Mr.. Locke's statements are entitled
TO Investigation. II sustained by the facts
the bill should be amended.