The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-06
Mr.. HARRISON'S LETTER


fjn3frd' States at once attracted the
alarned attention Of European trade
1ousnals and boards OF trade. The Brit
IN Board of Trade has prescnted TO that
government . memorial asking Tor the
oppointment of commission TO consid-
o. the best mems OF oountsyacting what
q calleds 1.-THE commercial crusade OF
thu United States"
The NEST convincing evidence remains
Of the trsmsndous commercial strength
Of our position Is found In the TACT tnat
Great Britain and Spain have found ~
y necessary to make reciprocal trade ar
ranRements with us for their West India
colonies and that Germany ana Austria
have given us important CONCESSIONS In
exchange for the continued free impor-
tations Of their beet sugar.
A few details only as to the increase OF
our trade can be given here. Taxing all
the countries with which arrangements
have been made, our trade TO June 80,
1892, had increased 237s per cent-with
Brazil the increase was nearly III per cent;
with Cuba, during the first ten months,
our exports increased S5,702, 1913 or 54S6,
and with Porto Rico fso,599, or "a per
osnt.
The letter here quotes from British
Journals to show the great increase OF ex-
ports caused by reciprocity, as well as the
ialling OF OF English exports TO the same
countries.
The Democratic platform, the letter
continues promises a repeal Of the tariff
law continuing this provision and espec-
tally eenounces as sham reciprocity that
section of the law under which these
trade arrangements have been made. III
no other Issue was involved In the cam
paign, this alone would give II moment-
ous Importance.
Are the farmers of the great grain
growing states willing to surrender these
new, large and increasing markets for
- haU
in exchange for the free importation OF
sugar and coffee and at the same time to
destroy the sugar planters OF the South
and the beet sugar industry OF the north-
west and OF the Pacific. coast; or are we
to have the taxed sugar and coffee which
stariff for revenue only" necessarily IN
wolves, with the added loss OF the new
markets, which have been openedf
The letter next deals with the Demo-
cratic doctrine on the tariff question. 1t
says: There Is not q thoughtful business
man In the country who does not know
laration OF the convention at Chicago,
on tho subject of the tariff would at once
plunge the country into a business con-
yuision such as IL has never seen and
there IL not q thoughtful workingman
who does not know that it would at once
enormously reduce the amount OF work
TO be done in this country by the increase
Of importatiors that would follow and
nscessitate reduction OF his wages to
the European standard.
II any one suggests that this radical
policy win not be executed II the Demo
cratic party attains power, what shall be
thought Of party that 10 capable Of thus
triding with great interests? The threat
OF such legislation would be only less
hurtful than the fact. A distinguished
Democrat rightfully described this move
ment % q challenge to the protected In.
a. - ina n N n NJ
smother such rightfully expressed the
logic Of the situation when he interpre-
ted the Chicx4o platform to be an invi-
tation 10 all Democrats holding even the
most moderate protection views to 60
into the Republican party.
And now few words In regard TO the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
able TO Judge of its influence upon pro-
duction and prices by the market reports.
The day of the prophet OF calamity has
been succeeded by that of the trade re-
porter. An examination into the effect
products and OF the cost of such articles
Is enter into the living Of people OF small
means, has been made by senate com.
msttes composed of leading senators OF
both parties, with the aid Of the best
statisticIans and the report, signed by all
the members Of tho committee, has been
given to the public.
The letter then analyses the report
eboye mentioned, citing the advantages
which therein appear.
The cost OF living for those earning less
than 5000 year has decreased and the
has bsen rs per cent. Reference is made
to Commissioner Peck's report and then
the letter resumes:
Some special effects Of the act should
be noticed. II was q courageous attempt
to rid our people of long maintained
foreign monopoly In the production OF
linens, lace, etc. Once or twice In our
p history the production OF tin plate had
bean attempted and tho prices obtained
by the Welsh makers would have enabled
our makers to produce 1t at profit. But
point that drove the American beginners
cut OF the business, and when this was
accomplished again made their own
But this condition Of things has
chanTed and the Welsh manufacturers
confess to the effects OF the Mckinley
bill.
In regard to the tariff law of 1890 the
President says: 10 has transplanted sew
eral important Industries and Established
them here, and has revived or enlarged
all others. The act gives to the miners
protection against foreign silver bearing
lead ores, the free Introduction OF which
threatened the great mining industries
OF the Rocky Mountain states; and to
the wool growers protection for their
Aeeces and focks, which has saved them
from further and disastrous decline.
The Hsuae of Representatives, at its
last session passed bills placing these
ores and wool upon the free list. The
people OF the West we'll know how de-
structive to their prosperity these meas
ures would be.
This tariff law has given employment
to many thousands of American men and
women and will each year give employ
ment to increasing thousands. Its re-
peal would throw thousands out OF en-
ployment and give work to others only
ct reduced wages.
The President here turns his attention
TO answering arguments against the
tariff and makes the point that Demo-
Gratis, while speaking OF the increased
duties on various articles, omit any
reference to the beneficial enlargement
Of the free list.
On the silver question the letter says:
am thoroughly convinced that the free
coinage OF silver at such ratio TO gold
~ will maintain the equality in their
ANN ucrotQl ueoa of n tro Cotrod dol