Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-07
WILSON TARIFF BILL.
PROTEST FROM OWNERS OF THE
ZINC FURNACES IN VIRGINIA.
The Proposed Reduction win lie Disastrous
To Home Industries-A Probable Loss
of Millions In Property.

Al a meeting OF the owners and opera
tors OF the blast and zinc furnaces In
Southwest virginia and the Shenandoah
Valley and OF their employees, held at
Pulaski City, on the 9th day OF Decem-
Der. 1888. Mr. l.. S. Calfee. Mayor OF the
city. was elected chairman, and Mr.. h.
G.. Robinson secretary. on motion OF MT.
John w. Robinson the Chair appointed the
folloving gcntlemen-John w. Robinson
John c. Raper, 8. II. Sayers. Samuel
Jones. ID. Z. Graham, John w. Eckman'
and W. II. Bolllng-a committee to draft
resolutions expressive OF the sense
| OF the meeting upon certain fea-
turs OF the Wilson tariff bill, now pend
ing before Congress. The committee re-
ported the following, which were unani-
mously adopted
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, the tariff bill Just reported
by the Ways and Means Committee to
the House OF Representatives aims
vital blow at the iron-ore, coal pig-iron.
and zinc Industries, as well as at other
manufacturing Industries Of Virginia by
Incorporating into the bill free coal, and
! fire. iron-ore. and such reduction or the
duty on plg-iron and zinc as VIII subject
the producers OF these so-called raw ma
terials 10 ruinous foreign competition I'M
less they shall be able wholly TO recon-
struct the methods upon which hitherto
they have conducted their operations'
Whereas, a sudden change OF this kind
must compel not only large decrease OK
wages, II. In fact, our enterprises are 10
remain in operation at all, and must pro-
duce also such contraction In the values
OF our coal and ore lands. and I'm all
Industrial investments as VIII result IN
the loss of millions OF dollars OF prV-
perty, and the further loss annually Of
many thousand dollars more 10 the work
| ingruen now occupied in these industries;
Whereas, we desire 10 promote the well
| fare and prosperity of these industries,
| and Of the workingmen engaged I'm them
numbering now in the iron-ore, blast
| furnace, and zinc-furnace industries in
Southwest Virginia alone from 5000 to
COCO men; and to promote the establish
ment or other manufacturing enter
| prises;
Whereas, these changes are proposed at
a time, when we are suffering from bust
ness depression, and when we cannot
1
at profit. and this proposed reduction
in the duty on pig-iron and zinc spelter
| VIII be peculiarly disastrous TO our fur
J naces, not only from the fact that Euro
! pean pig-iron and spelter are made with
| much cheaper labor than ours, but that
| ocean freightS to the eastern markets OF
| the United States, the only markets now
| available 10 US, are much lower than
We can ever hope To have: therefore, it IS
Resolved, mat TINS meeting. repre-
sentlng the operators and employees en-
| gagged in the irOn-ore. zinc. and blast-fur-
mace business Of Southwest Virginia, mos,
solemnly protest against the adoption OF
the provisions Of the Wilson tariff bill
above specified
=. That a further reduction Of those du-
ties will operate to deprive Virginia and
West Virginia coal-operators and furnace
men of their only market and to give II
| to foreign competitors
3. That this protest shall be brought tC
| the Immediate attention OF our repre-
| sentatives in Congress and to our sena
tors: and that they are requested anC
urged 10 Insist that the present duty upor
coal, zinc, and iron-ore shall be retained
and that the duty on plg-iron shall BE-
not reduced below 81 on the ton.
4. That each person present at thi:
meeting will use his earnest endeavor Il
defeat this measure. and will appeal Il
his representative In Congress and e
the Virginia senators and present L
them the danger threatening our indus
tries in this proposed legislation.
8. That each one present will sign thes'
resolutions and will exert himself to &c
others who have been detained from tht
meeting, and especially all labOrers Il
b. affected by this legislation, TO stgi
tnem. and that the chairman appoint
committee 20 present these resolutions 4
our congressman and senators.