The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-01
A JAUNDIcED CRITICISM.

Mr.. Levi III. Turner writes from Fair
haven under date OF July SO, to say: II
take the enclosed clipping from the edi-
torial page of your issue of the 18th inst.
In which 3ir Georges plain statement APP
pears to be maliciously misquoted. hope
not to look upon your paper in the future
as one of those sheets whose especial BUSH
ness it is to degrade the press OF this coun-
try. / therefore trust. in view of the repu-
tation your paper has for fairness, that you
will publish the statement as Mr. George
made it, which / herewith enclose" The
item from these columns to which Mr..
Turner took exception read as follows:
Henry George writes from Australia that the
Maryborough saw-mills of that country could
not run were ii not for the protective duties on
lumber and woodwork, adding that the lumber
from this section IL not only better but cheaper,
and In the big three-masted schooners can be
shipped from here 10 Australia for less than is
charged by the Australian coasters between
such ports as May thorough and Townsville. But
by means OF protective duty they retain good
part OF the home market against our lumber.
But Mr. George would have us let Canadian
lumber into this country to compete with ours
free OF duty. The one-sidedness of Mr.. George
an& his free-trade companions is apparent
They would give to those who take
Mr.. George in his letter. published in his
paper, the Sfaadaya, of July 10Th, and en-
closed by Mr.. Turner. said:
The Marlborough w-mills, was told, could
not run were 1t not for the protective duties
placed on lumber and woodwork, since the
Puget sonnd and California lumber is not only
cheaper but better, and can be brought across
the Pacific in the large three.masted schooners
for less than the epasting steamers charge to
carry lumber between such ports as Marybor-
ough and Townsville. Thus the saw-mill and
lumber cutting industries are kept up at the ex-
pense OF house building and all the other indus
tries into which wood enters
As the quotation was mades from men,
DRY, after random reading of exchanges,
and only purported to give the gist of Mr..
Georges letter, it must be insisted that 1t
was fairly accurate. There is certainly
nothing in it to justify the charge o. ina
licious misquotation." The material facts
were that the Australian duties were re-
sponsible for keeping the Marlborough
mills running; that our lumber is cheaper
and better than theirs. and can be carried
hence for less than is charged for the
shorter distance by their coasting steamers.
These facts were no less clearly stated
in the quotation than in Mr.. Georges let
ter. But he drew one moral from the
facts. which he had perfect right to do,
and this paper, with equal right, drew a
different moral. Mr.. George is a free
trader. This paper is in favor of protect
ing American industries as general prin-
ciple, but with particular insistance as to
countries which levy duties upon the adj
mission of our products into their ports.
Distressing as it would be to have Mr..
Turner or any other citizen look upon this
paper as especially engaged in degrading
the press of this country, the only apparent
help for it is TO induce him to read with
more care and less bias where his idol is
criticized. The opinion is freely ventured
that Mr. George himself will not traverse
the statement that he is in favor OF admit
ting Canadian lumber into this country,
free of duty, to compete with ours, in face
of the fact that Australia imposes duty
upon our lumber destined to her ports.
And who can deny that such course would
be giving to those who take2" The pub
lie is left to judge as to fairness and tolsra-
ton between this naper and Mr.. Turner.