Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-10-15

at A cents yard. SUCH Is the common
experience throughout the country. The
woolens industry has been greatly re-
vived and prices are cheaper than ever
10 American consumers. Brown cotton
fannels also show reduction. They
sold in July. 1899, at Z cents yard
wholesale. The price in July, 1891, was
6 1-2 cents. So of the wide range OF
wooden cloths. Our imports are consid-
erably less than before the passage of the
Mckinley bill. In May, 1890, they were
1,192, 45S pounds: the higher duties
cut the imports for May, 1891,
to 6S7,720 pounds. But the prices
are no higher on the average: the de-
crease being clearly perceptible both in
the wholesale and retail price. The gain
Is all for America.
PLATE GLAss-This is an article used
IN most all new buildings. The Nc
Kinley bill increased theduty onsilvered
plate glass SO far as it changed the duty
Of any size at all. During May. 1890,
before the bill was passed, we imported
1870 square feet of this glass. During
May, 1891, we imported only 36,5O2
square feet. Yet the former was at an
average valuation of 44.2 cents square
foot, and the latter at 41.S cents. Again
our manufacturers and consumers were
both gamers, and there is more plate
glass being made and used than ever be-
fore.
ENvELoPEs-Every business man uses
them. Under the old tariff envelopes
paid an ad valorem duty of % per cent,
and in January, 1890, they sold at 6s
cents per thousand. They are now
selling at 45 cents per thousand
wholesale. although under the Nc
Kinley law they pay a duty of
25 cents per thousand. One more
proof of the way in which protection in
creases production. stimulates competi-
ton, and lowers prices to the consumer.
The American markets abound with
such proofs.
PRINTs-The Democracy said for years
that we couldn't make them in America.
Now India blue prints are known and
purchased in almost every household. 1t
does not appear, either, from the price
lists of wholesale houses that their price
has been put up by the Mckinley tariff,
the ''reformers" to the contrary not
withstanding. Six months before the
new law took effect they were selling at
6 1-2 cents yard. Now, under that
''robber tariff, they are selling at 1-s
cents per yard. Who pays the tax?
CLOTHING-There was a wall from
ocean to ocean last October that the
Mckinley tariff had largely increased
the cost of clothing for the poor. 1t
came from every protest. NAL tariff re-
former" What is the case today? Well,
American shirting prints, which then
sold for IA cents per yard at whole
sale, now sell at 3 3-4 cents per yard.
See late quotations. What is true of
shirting is true of all kinds of articles
of wearing apparel.
HOSIERY-The higher duties on hosiery
have been collected under the Mckinley
law for about eleven months. The
American hosiery industry was never
more prosperous. 1t is booming every
where, and wages are higher than ever
before. What about prices? Well, here
is what the American Wool, Cotton and
Financial Reporter of August 13, the
best authority in the country, says on
that subject: There are lines of do
mestic transferred seamless goods rang
ing for ladies from S1.75 to $500 per
dozen, that will bear comparison with
anything that is imported to sell at ST. 80
to $500 in full fashioned goods" a
sharp decrease in all kinds of mems and
children's hosiery is also noted. Prices
were never cheaper, while quality is
better, under the stimulating advantages
of prosperity and lively competition here
in America.
THREAD-The Mckinley bill increased
the duty on imported linen thread from
40 to 40 per cent, but Barbours in Jan
uary reduced domestic button linen
threads from 50 to 80 cents per dozen,
and other threads in like proportion, and
the price is still falling. Why? So as
to push their goods in the home market
that the higher duty enlarges; and other
manufactures at once did the same, so
that thread is cheaper in the United
States, and of better quality, than ever
before. This list might be enlarged in
definitely. but enough has been said to
prove what the friends of the new law
claimed. 1t is daily cheapening the cost
of all kinds of domestic productions.