The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-08-22
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
ABOUT HIDES.
SATURDAY. AUGUST q. 1891.

CiS '" inc toultIy coulu Hot coHlptt
in foreign markets with free trade Eng
land made shoes. Upon their represen
tation and petitions the duty was finall
taken Off. The boot and shoe industr,
Immediately grew to mammoth proper
tions. Large manufacturing concern
started all over New England; thousand,
OF men and women were employed in tn,
industry and the export boot and shot
trade soon rose way up into the millions
This was all brought about by free hides
IA condition which could not possibl,
be reached by the continuation of duties
upon the article.
During Mr.. Carriers second congress
sional campaign, when he ran against
Major Maginnis, the state was flooded
with republican circulars sent from
headquarters at Washington, in which
cattlemen were urged TO support the re-
publican ticket 10 the end that duties be
restored on hides at the next meeting of
congress. 1t was represented that if
this were done it would increase the
value "i their becvrs to the extent at
least of 81 per head: that they we're en-
Titled 10 this much protection upon their
industries and they should have it if the
republicans gainct control of the lower
house. They were sure of the upper.
such papers as the Inter Mountain he
came eloquent upon the subject of a tar
III upon hides and appealed tothe cattle
men of the state to support Mr.. Carter
and thus vote for their interest. Well.
Mr.. Carter was elected. but whether by
the votes of cattlcmcn will never be
known. However. Mr.. Carter cut mighty
little figure in the tariff discussion and
his votes came and went at the nod and
beck of Tom Reed. And now as TO
hides.
Mckinney bill as originally in
troduced contained IA provision
imposing a duty of IA cent and a half
per pound upon hides. No sooner was
the bill read in the committee room and
that particular feature of it became
known, than the shoemakcrs If the New
England states made a bee line for
Washington. At first Mckinley turned
a deaf ear 10 their appeal. He repre- ;
s'Atcd to them that a duty ON hides was
Just what they wanted to make their in [
thrive. 1t would stimulate the {
cattle industry in this country and al ]
though it might add Il little to Ethc cost
4
SHOES it would in the long run benefit
them all. The shocmakers told Mr.. Nc ,
that he Was a blank fool; that a I
duty OF hides put the first cost of their 7
material at such a figure that they -,
'ouid not possibly pay it and compete n
With foreign shoe manufacturers in for v
ign markets. They represented that
when the duty was taken off hides the J.
shoe industry. which had been an insig- +
lincant one in the country. gathered d
orce and that where it formerly en- I
one man it now employed ten. ~
sui Mckinley was abduratc. Finally b
hey told him that unless that cent and l.
half per pound tax were not taken off
Ildcs In his bill. it would ruin their in -"
iustry and not ii cent could the repub-
lean party get from the shoemcn for
ampaign purposes. They wouldn't fry
ny fat. That settled Mckinley and the u
AK was taken off. Oh
But the matter didn't end here. The =.
took an inning and again the =.
cnt and a half duty was put on. But :,
he shoe mon we're too numerous and -
% pcrsryerin" for the COW punchcrs -
Tor the second time the blue pencil -,
'as drawn acru.s the hide schedule in g.
he Mckinney bill. The bill became ii ),
with hides upon the free list. They .,
re- on the IRE" list today and the great >,
Ior and hopt industry of the country 81;
ourlshcs right along. while the wooden ri
MT iron interests have tagged and 90
along and suffered on account 80
high protective duties and a restricted 9,
Iarket. 1t is well enough for the people l..
bear the history Of the hide tariff in
lind. 1t is held by republican prints r
nd speakers that the hide industry Of n
mis- country can not be affected by i'm
orts Of the article, because the home >,
lpply does not meet the demands Of the .,
,ather trade. There is a truth and an 81
ntruth in that statement. Ii is untrue %.
nat the hide industry Of the country IN
tnnot be affected by free imports of the IN
rticle. II is affected, for our hides -.
1me in direct competition with South no
merican hides. But it is true the
omc supply does not meet the demands
the leather trade. Therefore hides "
g admitted free to supply the -
ather trade, which in turn supplies v,
nd stimulates the shoe and boot trade W
I'D that in turn creates a great export =.
ade. n'
The whole matter of taxing foreign y,
W material Of which this country does "
1t produce enough to meet the require