New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-03
PART II.
NOV. 3, 1892.
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES ADOPTED IN EUROPE.

From frequent conversations with various mln-
afacturers of the Continent during the last lew
months / have been led to think that the DEM
ocratic platform has not been sufficiently apprc-
cated in it's most important point, at least SO
far as the tariff is concerned. The platform de-
clares strongly against the principle itself OF pro-
lection as unconstitutional Mr.. Clevcland's let
ter Of accordance tries indeed TO divert atten-
zion from the principle to the present practice
of protection but it is plain that there IL some
thing more at stake than the mere details OF the
Mckinley bill Mr. George Ticknor Curtis de-
serves the gratitude of all good citizens at home
for pointing out. at the sacrifice of his personal
affiliations tie really revolutionary character OF
the Democratic policy in the present campaign
Abroad. citizens who keep their eyes open have
been startled by it from the beginning. MY own
conclusion is that the Mckinley bill should not
he touched in any important detail until eXper-
cnce has given completcr knowledge of It's actual
workings.
fundamental consideration is the fact of the
new commercial treaties completed between nearly
all the Nations Of the Continent during the past
and present years. All these are based on the
principle of autonomous protection and reclproc-
ity. and have been made for a period of twelve
Years dating from 1892. They will go on for
that length of time unmodifed. matter what
changes or revolutions may DO made in the Amerl-
can tariffs ANY European statesman would stand
ouhast at demands like those Of the Democratic
party. pretending 10 nothing less than sudden
and unprepared change in all the relations OF
foreign commerce. Even European manufacturers
find il too good to hope for and ND to the meet
ing Of the Democratic Convention IN chicago
they certainly had not dared 10 expect Tvoll-
luton in American affairs which in Europe would
simply indicate prcposterous lack of settled
international policy.
In tie month of January I had occasion to
visit a number of the most prominent silk houses
of Lyons. At place l was shown the marvels
Of woven pattern which have been kept. with
proper pride from the exhibit of the Paris En-
nosition of 1889 bill Mckinley" as was in
evitable more than once came up IN conversation.
| remarked to the manufacturer that stufIs of
this costly and difficult make could hardly he
produced as yet in our American mills: and that,
tariff or no tariff. mandatory capable of such
work would easily distance all competitors.
record faithfully his answer which seems TO me
full Of significance.
The mistake made by you, and by all who
are not OF the trade lies in surprising that
the profit which makes it worth our while to
keep the mills running, comes 10 MS from the
sales of these costly stuffs In reality, they meet
only a very limited demand they serve rather
70 advertise us than anything else. Our real
nroft has 10 come from the sale of cheap silks
and. under the Mckinley hill, your American
mills can compete with us in these"
I desire to place this plain statement side by
side with the report. published as | write this
letter, from L. s. Consul Fairchild, of Lyons, for
the last quarter, ending September 30. The total
money value of the exports Of this district, com
-. III o( xFanr
1891. represents an increase of S729,o44, in spite
Of the tariff, which has protected our Am"ri-
can manufacturers The chief items are Piece
goods. S1:oo3,96s pongees. S7s1,673; velvets,
1924 esI and raw silk. S221.424. Putting two
and two together. the following conclusions
seem evident 10 man who is not willing 10 De
dazzed by statistics:
First-Without the Mckinley tariff the French
manufacturers would have il in their power 70
undersell and eventually 10 put a stop TO the
growing American silk industry
Sccond-With the Mckinley tarln! the frehcn
manufacturers still receive sufficient proh'' else
there would never be TINS constant inoie'Se VI
exportation on their part
Tbird-Jf the Democrats succeed IN aoolsluhg
tho Mckinley tariff they will simply benefit the
foreign manufacturer at the expense oil nome
industry. and probably to its ruin
rourtb-Thc American people will not get the'r
s;lLs any cheaper for that reason as the foreign
manufacturers when he is pracficaiN "l'hou'
cornetition. can charge what he plcases Tot Ms
goods. r., Aha
In other words, the Republican tarif for the
nro,cction of home industries prevents the Amerl'
can manufacturer being undersold In MS OWL
market. il fosters an industry that gives cih
nlov,nent 70 American workingmen: and; while II
does not raise the price OF goods III III" Aiiieri
can market. keeps the money that Is spent vi
Thorn circulating in the country. Inc Propos'"
Democratic tariff for purposes OF revenue only oI
tine contrary, kills of the American mah"i"o'
urer. closes an industry 10 American faoo' anu
sends American money into foreign pocKeu
I'm Roubaix, famous for the woo'ie" ihu"'''N
7 tonnd that some OF the heaviest manutac'ni
49, ,'oro ohout taking the bull by the horns
1bov did NOT deem il possible that business
noonlo like the Americans, should do ana una
- for, short months all the complicated rcla
,;ors ., their industry and commerce. lhey nave
.lread,. been looking seriously for SITUATION
IN tho United States where they may ihfusu
rate their special manufacture OF RodpalN SUM-
AZ an American industry. ] imagine '""o ~
American citizens will see In such d "
our present tariff legislation deciueo yam ="
our country / imagine that even 'he ,i''"'
o. the Democratic platform do not p'o'e'1 "
literal An emulation of the trainers oi 'Hc I'm
nitution as to maintain that sucn ac'iu'''''o.
to American industry and labor Shou'0 ie =
in Europe, simply because they wc'o ''
the Jefrersonan days of the Repunhc'
Later on, in Malaga, Spain, CAM vi 49, 3D.,
other of these signs OF the times i"'s "
NOR. i,nn,essvc 70 me as they are just the facu
which never find their way into the hgnres u
Democratic stati.ticians | had been 'aiNii'
with the present representative of one 81 'n'
oIdos, Ivno houses of the place. He spoke D
tho carly DAYS when Malaga had almost
rononolv Of the raisin trade, and the American
merchant, who was then his own shipper an
banker as well. sent over his YANKEE chppI'
laden with barrels full OF silver dollars IN paylcn