The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-10-04
TARIFF TALK,
Senator E. F. McDonald's S
Manly Statement Of
His Position.
MONDAYS NEW REGIME.
Talks With Leading Jersey
City People on the.Effect
of the Mckinley
Scale.
Sugar, Tobacco and Rubber
Men Have Their Say.

The JERSEY CITY NEWS presents today
some very interesting matter regarding
the Mckinley Tariff bill which takes
effect on Monday, especially in relation to
its effect on Hudson county interests.
Nothing in this line could be more i'm
portant than the views Of Hudson's COM
ing Congressman. Edward T. Mcdonald,
who will unquestionably be called upon
to help legislate upon the tariff question
during his service in Washington. THE
NEWS accordingly presents first of all the
following very interesting statement of
his opinions, made by Senator Mcdonald
to reporter
AS to the question of the tariff,
would state that am in accord with my
party as to the necessity of reform and
revision of the tariff. The question is
one of policy and not of principle. per-
tatns to locality, and depends largely on
circumstances. Few men understand it.
Most men think they do. No man or set
of men will ever agree upon or devise
rule of action that will please all, or re-
ceive the approval or support of all.
IA tariff in this country is a necessity,
outside of the question of protection. The
Constitution of the United States pro-
vides for it in the following Words
Congress shall have power to levy and
collect taxes, duties. imports and excises,
to pay the debts and provide for the COM
mon defense, and general welfare. etc, 1t
has been claimed by some that these
words limit the power of Congress to i'm
posing tariff for the purpose of revenue
10 meet the expenses of government, and
for that purpose only; others believe that
it authorizes the imposition of a
tariff to protect American labor and in
dustry against the competition
of the underpaid labor of Europe Now
the question really is. Can the tariff be
made to accomplish both objects?
think it can. am, therefore, in favor Of
tariff for the protection OF American
Labor and industry, that will furnish the
means of supporting the Federal Govern
nent, maintaining an efficient army and
navy. with proper protection for our sea-
board cities by sea coast defences, as
recommended by Samuel j. Tilden; or, in
the words of the constitution providing
for the common defence and general well
fare'
TARIFF SUPERVISION.
II am, of course, opposed TO free trade,
but believe the tariff laws should be not
only revised but supervised; and for that
purpose and for the intelligent under
standing of the entire question, and in
order that members of Congress may
know what they are. talking about and
voting for: would favor the establish
ment of bureau for the supervision of
all matters pertaining to the tariff, MAX
ing annual reports showing amount of
capital invested in all industries
protected the profit or psrcsntage
ployed, wages paid, output and total
amount consumed or sold IN the United
States or exported, we could thus easily
find out what industries, if any, were
overprotected or worth protecting, and to
were benefited. The knowledge thus OBJ
tanned would stop great deal of trouble
from tyros in political economy, and lead
up to good results and u better state of
affairs. 1t would then cease to be party
question and would become one of bust
ness policy for the management and sup
port of the government and the welfare
of the people.
81 also think that sudden changes
should not be made or enforced either in
the increase or decrease of duties, as
great injustice may thus be done to those
engaged in trade, and the business of the
country rendered unstable and insecure.
1t is the fear of this that causes 50 many
people to stampede politically when the
question of tariff revision is proposed or
under consideration in Congress.
1T is interesting II not amusing to wit
ness the great diversity of opinion shown
by the leaders of the Republican party
on the subject. We see the Mckinley
bill with its unjust high prohibitive tariff
passing both houses after d conference of
the leaders in House and Senate, while
the ablest and most popular leader of
- Tan Qfafn fuh hnld dlxrr
claiming Reciprocal Free Trade.
las for myself it shall always be my
attn, TX elected, to protect and promote
the interests Of the people Of my district
and State The Views of men and the
the policy of parties in relation TO this
10 revision"
SWEET VIEW OF IT.
Manager and Secretary H. K. Niese, of
the MatthIessen & Wiechers Sugar Re-
flnery Company, in an interview withsa
reporter OF THE JERSEY CITY NEWS at the
office OF the company's establishment in
this city said yesterday that the new
tariff would not materially effect the
sugar trade either one way or the other
for the next year. McKinley's bill Will
not take effect in respect to the sugar
clause until April next. Prices will be
lower to the full amount of the present
duty; refined sugar will be 215 cents
cheaper than it is now. Cheaper sugar
will no doubt stimulate consumption, and
increase the trade, the effects Of which
will not be felt at least until the second
year under the new system. The firm, he
said, was Indifferent to the passage OF the
bill
ENDS IN SMOKE
"The duties on imported cigars under
the new system will prohibit the impor-
tation Of That class Of goods to this coun-
try.,. said President John Edelstein, of
the Finance Board, who is a big cigar
manufacturer, .rhe duty on Sumatra
cents, will be s2. There will be larger
demand tor domestic cigars than ever be-
fore This will create a demand for
labor, not only in the manufacture OF
goods, but IN the production OF the raw
material. More tobacco will be cultivat-
ed In this coz ntry than proDably was ever
known before The maDufacturers'
license is cut dowa Sc 40, and the retail- |
ers' liceee to sell manufactured goods,
60 Al All lfni1nr dealers who sell tobacco |