New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-22
INTEREST OF TIE MATTERS IN TIE MKINLEf

TO the Editor Of The Tribune
sir: II IS proper at this time. wheh one ~
great political parties proposes to reuu'o wv ,r
tariff. the Mckinley law, TO inquire how lar INC p
cpal industry Of Norwalk and, indeed, OF 'oi"',
that OF hating-is interested. a brlel rc'io"
events connected with increased tariff on mats may "
Of interest to many who may have forgotten the '"
About five vears ago the number OF hats imported
from abroad both in the rough and ready io' .''
market, had become large and cohuhueu " "
crease AT such rate as to alarm both m"huia''''
and journeymen. Accordingly an agatioh was Se'
on foot in the different hating districts which was
strongly urged on by the joint National boaru VI
Directors. This by no means measure III 'ne
interest OF the Republican party, as mas oeeh ~
peatedly claimed since, but was participated III ny
journeymen OF every political complexion Al Il
meeting OF the Norwak matters, held In the sai'a
ton Army Barracks in March, 1887, the mouoh "
send committee to Congress, asking for an increase
OF the tariff rate from 80 to so per cent passed ny
a unanimous vote Danbury and Bethel adopted the
course and in the May following imhh' a
committee. representing the entire hating TRACE oil
the country and consisting Of manufacturers ana Jour
ncymen proceeded TO Washington to lay the matter
before the Ways and Means Committee OF winch hoser
2. Mills, Of Texas chairman.
The committee might just as well have stayed AZ
home. They not only accorded no hearing put
we're blunty and almost rudely told that 1t was not
in the plans of the Ways and Means Committee to
listen to grievances Of any branch OF industry As
matter Of history sugar refining was the only busi'
favored with an interview.
The wheel OF politics revolved and the Republicans
came into power in the following year. Though some
what discouraged by their previous failure the matters
responded with alacrty when cordially invited by the
Senate Tariff Commission, OF which senator Aldrich,
Of Rhode Island, chairman, 10 explain 10 the
commission the wants Of one OF the most Important
Industries in Ncw-England. 1t is needless to say,
that in securing this result Senators Piatt and
lIawey and Congressman Frederick Miles. OF this
State. entitled to the chief credit and should be
gratefully remembered by the members OF trade
they strove hard to benefit.
Tn committee composed OF Democrats and Repubn-
cans, manufacturers and tourneymen. went to Wash
ingOn, cordially received and secured even
more than they had originally asked for through the
efforts OF Congressman Frederick Miles additional In
crease Of the tariff rate OF per cent, making total
Of So per cent on imported hats of all kinds and
grades-fnished, In the rough in the body-beins
granted both by the Senate Commission and the Ways
and Means Committee Of the House. This duty has
proved eminently effective. 1t has closed our markets
against all foreign hats except n few OF the best
quality and the 10000 dozen or more in oil stages
Of manufacture formerly imported at all the ports OF
entry has dwindled TO an Insignificant figure.
In the heat OF a political canvass 1t is expected
that mon Will belite the past services rendered them
by others who differ from then, or who will even 60
so far in their partisan rancor TO deny such services
and benefits Nevertheless. 1t IS an undoubtcd fact
that The hating Industry has been greatly benefited
bv the existing tariff. II the policy OF reduction
OF import duties, the rally CIV Of the Democratic
party should be successful at To, polls the matters
Of Connecticut have right 10 complain II the prun
Ing knife shall be applied 10 their INDUSTRY as vel ms
10 others aud direct competition with Englafd, France
and Rel !ium shall greatly add TO the burdens OF
trade already none too profitable. Before endorsing
policy so reckless and suicidal let hatets discard
on purely business principles and strictly on IS own
merit oo, W. n "H'H'>'
Norwak Conn.,, Oct. IS, 1892.