Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-31
wish to see tried.

wish to see tried.
There are imported into this
country many agricultural products
which crowd and depress the mar.
kets in which we sell our produce,
because there are no duties, or be-
cause the duties are too low to pro-
tect. In view of the fact that it is
proposed to protect fully other in
terests, we insist OH dpties upon such
imported products as will afford full
protection to tue American producer
OF like commodities.
We therefore endorse the increas-
ed duty on BARLEY, LIVE STOCK,
HAY, POTATOES, BEANS, WOOL, etc.,
as set forth in the schedule recently
reported by the Committee on Ways
and Means.
We found, upon examination of
the lists ofagrcuItural importations,
that about s24,000,000 worth of for
eign hides were brought into this
country every year free of duty,
whilst upon leather and its manufac-
lures there is a protective duty.
We believed this to be an unfair
discrimination against the grower of
hides, and on the principle of equal
protection to Gl we asked that a rea-
sonable duty be placed on hides.
The Committee on Ways add Means
recognized the justice of the demand
and granted our request; whereupon
the manufacturers of leather Them.
selves protected and gerry pr0speroas)
went before the Committee and in
sisted that no share of the protection
which they enjoyed should be extend
ed to those who have for years, since
che duty was removed from hides,
grown them at p0Sitire loss. Their
demands were backed by few Uf
the Representatives from their dis.
tricts, and hides were returned to
the free list. Again the plea was
made for justice, not fdUOr, by the
representatives of the farmers, and
so convincing were their arguments
that the duty was again restored,
only to be removed at the last hour
in order to secure support from certain
quarters.
We see no reason why these man.
ufacturing industries should be
afforded ample protection when the
producer of the raw material SOCIAL.
ed is forced to abandon an impor-
tant industry because be is not pro.
tectcd. We say to You, as we said
TO the Committee on Ways and
Means, " If you will make leather
and manufactures of leather free,
we will ask no duty on hides. If
leather and its manufactures are
protected, we want equal protection
upon hides"
If the manufacturers continue the
demand for free raw material $50 call.
ed, the time is near at hand when
the farmers of the country will give
them free raw material, at the same
time will exact free manufactured
products. The time to" turn dozen "
with impunity the agricultural inter
ests of this country has gone by.
Henceforth we shall watch as well
as pray" The quiet submission to
neglect and unfair discrimination,
which has characterized the farmers
in the past, has given place to a
quiet but firm determination to
know our rights, and IN the future to
maintain them by every legitimate
means within our reach. We are
no longer a mass of unOrgdnized
helpteSSaesS. Dire necessity has forced
us to organize for self preservation.
An army more numerous than the
combined armies of Grant. Sherman,
Lee and Johnston is already in the
| field.
Some things impracticable and IN.
reasonble mag be demanded. Such
the chosen representatives. OF the
whole people must have the courage
to deny, and trust to time and ex.
perience to vindicate their action,
but that which it is right and proper
to demand for the agriculturist,
should be granted, not grudgingly
but cheerfully.
We are pleased to believe that the
veteran farmers organization, with
over twenty years Of experience,
which we have the honor to represent
asks for nothing impracticable or
unreasonable, and we sincerely
hope that even a desire to gain a
partisan Advantage will be subordi.
mated to render all possible help to
a depressed but highly important
National industry.
The members of our committee
differ as widely us do the members
of the great National farmers organ
ization which we represent upon
partisan questions. No two of us
are associated in the same political
organization but we have subordi.
mated our political differences, as
have the men we represent, to the
most important work of trying to
save, from overwhelming disaster
and distress, the most important
industry of our Nation. Is it incon-
sistent to ask you, who are in a
position to save or to practically de-
strOy many branches of this midas
try, to do likewise?
In conclusion, the members of the
committee desire to express their APP
probation OF the courtesies extended
by the members and committees of
both Houses; and the hope and belief
that your official action will merit
and receive the approval of your
constituents, and that you will long
be remembered as their faithful and
honOred representatives.
We remain, gentlemen, yours,
very respectfully,
j. Ii. BRIGHAM,
LEONARD RHoNE,
JOHN TRIDIBLE,
Legislative Committee,
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