Evening journal., 1892-12-15

likely to come about by leaving the pres
ent low price Of silver to check the
production and advance the price, while
the increased production of gold would
have the opposite effect on gold. Thus
the two metals might approach each
other. 1t is true that they might not.
But whether they did or not. legislative
interference would only complicate the
business and do more harm than good.
Manufacturers aud the Taria.
New York Times.
Since the very great extent OF the
victory won for tariff reform became en-
tirely plain, we have learned of opinions
expressed by a considerable number of
manufacturers regarding the future bus
ness. In each Of some twenty cases
these gentlemen were engaged in what
have been known as highly protected
industries, and those precisely such as,
according TO the predictions of the Re
publicans before the election, would be
ruined by tariff reform. In two instances
then were members Of combinations
which relied on high tariff duties to give
them the control of the American market.
nthe other cases they we're fair repre-
sentatives of the general body Of Ameri
can manufacturers--suce prosper
Ous, and, save in one instance, honestly
protectionist in their political beliefs
The exception was an extensive
manufacturer of goods heavily taxed
who was, nevertheless, cordial revenue
reformer, and who was regularly eX-
| porting his goods to the foreign lands
from whose competition Mr.. Mckinley
insisted on protecting" him. In every
instance the views of these gentlemen,
so far from being gloomy and despairing,
were marked by that manly courage,
that cheerful self-reliance, that eager
desire to face competitors and confidence
in their ability to give good account of
themselves that are the real character
istics Of American business men, as they
are of American soldiers and statesmen
when fairly put to the test This, in.
deed, we expected quite apart from the
probable effect Of impending tariff re.
form. But this was not ALL Several OF
these manufacturers declared that they
looked to a reduction of the tariff with
positive relief; that they had been har-
rassed by the uncertainties Of the situa
tiOn, since they felt that the change
must come, and that such artificial con
ditions could not be maintained inde
fnitely. They had also become con
WINGED that in the indiscriminate dis
tribution of tariff rates they had beer
hindered ON the one hand by increased
cost of materials and on the other by tn,
restriction of their markets through the
arbitrary raising of prices. Some o.
them took another view, and frankly
said that, while the reduction of tn
tariff would expose them to severer com
petition than they had been in the past
it would force them to meet that compe
tition by improved processes, improved
machinery, and especially by create
care, system and economy in the man
agement of their business As one o
them put it We've got to earn wha
we get, and we shall do il. We hav
no doubt that this is n very fai
indication of the temper in whic
the masters of American In
dustry, even among those who hav
therefore relied on the tariff, ar
prepared to face their future And W
make not the slightest question that i
the long run they will find that they al
very much better off than they weI
under the miscellaneous and confuse
} tariff. We cannot predict for them thl
they will be always successful or FIRE
from the consequences of their ow
errors OF from the vicissitudes OF generi
business We no more expect physics
legislation In the direction Of free trad
} to accomplish all this than we have bl
3 lieved that fiscal legislation in I'll
e. direction of restricted trade would do /
J But we do expect that the removal of th
] artificial supports to some aud the art
: fetal obstacles to other Industries wi
, give greater steadiness, and, therefor
= greater security 10 all And we ar
D moreover. confident that when Amer
b cans are put upon their mettle, whC
s they are at once free TO use and force
+ to use the resources and energies Thu
f they can command. they have nothing
q fear from any competitors that can pr
e sent themselves.