The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-03-05

uary 20, which has boon brought to tho
lSTRLtlGESCER oilico by q Wheeling
subscriber, contains the following ar-
ticlc which will DO read with interest at
this time:
Contrary 10 expectation. tho quar-
terly meeting held At Birmingham on
Thursday last showed that for some
months at least the improvement in tho
tin plate trade Is likely to be very
slight, aud tho hopo deferred is begin
ming TO mako tho hearts Of tho manu-
iaeturers and employees sick Of the
present inacton. Tho reports from
America, too, which 20 to prove that
the fight over tho now tariff bill will be
stubborn one. and fought inch by
inch, are the cause Of dependency on
the part OF tin-platers hero in South
WalcI. Tho contention OF Mr.. Bur
rows, oi Michigan, the chief spokes-
man on behalf Of the Republicans, that
their policy had not had IN opportunity
lor lair development is beloved by a
large number Of electors in tho states
90 large a number, indeed, that
u is as yet Questionable, despite
the emphatic uttoranccs OF Presi-
dent Cleveland. whether tho proposed
amendments to the tariff bill will be-
come law 10 their present form q We in
this country arc apt 10 believe that tho
democratic party in the States are
pledged to the tariff policy as enuncia-
ted by President Cleveland; but such is
not the case, for n large number OF the
Democratic party hold independent
views OF their own. Votes too, count
for something In tho States, and that
viii explain many Of the anomalies cx-
lsting in the present tariff, one OF which
Is that, while they tax heavily the i'm
ported timed pIate, they also tax heay-
lily. the timed plate itself, which, to our
minds, should beallowed into the States
free. and which taxation is said to DC
4 due to tho desire to retain the votes OF
Dakota, which is said to BIO q tin-pro-
duc!ng country. That tho metal itself
should be on the free list goes without
saying, 1t being oven when free an ex-
pensiye article, for even hero to coat
+ box otthe common. say, 20by II, means,
allowing for waste and allowing all i'm
pr9vements, nearly %. per box for metal
alone, taking said metal at its
present price OF E72 per ton.
which is very low one, and
go per ton below what has been it's
y ruling piice. Tho American workmcn
tor, are more conservative than we give
them credit for being, and, although
there q great cutlery on the part OF
the wo. len shortly after the NIcKin-
ley act cemc into operation lowing to a
e!icht increase in the cost OF articles al
: iected by the Mckinley tariff, J still, the
TACT that large number OF the other
industries would be stimulated by the
production in the States OF tin-plates
which would amount TO about seven
million boxesIyearly, and would keep
going large number OF steel-works,
coal-mInes, ioundries, and other iudur-
tries directly associated with the pro-
i, =. of tin-plates, as vol as minor
2 commercial Industries, is gradually
3 bringing them TO phlosophicalIy put
up with small loss in the hope OF
greater gain. Another very important
factor in the discussion on tho tariff re-
form in America, Ia the fact that Trades
nnlonlsm is more highly developed
there than hero, and We may also add
that nearly all leaders OF trades unions
there nre protec.ionists, and have i'm
mense influence in tho councils OF the
nation.
JOHN JARRETT.
We may mention one who is known
by repute. viz, John jarrett, president
OF tho ANA amated Association OF
Iron and Steel Workers OF the United
States, himself Welshman, who has
always taken q leading part in all tariff
measures, for We find that as long ago
as the year 1878 the committee OF which
Ito was leader advocated u duty OF 2ic
per pound on all imported tin and terne
plate. The labor party in tho States
favor a tariff SO adjusted rs to give their
people who pay tho taxes and support
tho government adequate protection
against foreign competition in their
home markets. They also favor tho
abolition of internal revenue taxes,
and II, after their abolition, further re.
duction OF taxation by the national gov
ernment shall be desired at any time,
II shall be done by placing on the free
list all such articles as do not enter into
competition with home productions
and manufacture, but in no case should
the tariff upon such articles as do enter
into competition with them DO placed
AZ lower duties than shall be required
TO maintain and keep them upon loot.
ing with foreign competitors.
WHAT 1T HAS DONE HERE
The effect OF the Mckinley tariff has,
without doubt, given an impetus to
the tin plate trade in tho states, and,
Though the present depression is
pointed out as evidence to the contrary,
We cannot but allow that it Is world |
wide, and affects all trades alike. One
startling TACT in support OF that propo-
sitiou is that, although nearly three
years have elapsed since the Mckinley
agitation. the tin plate trade in South |
Wales has failed to right itself, and one
third OF its productive capacity has been
ut s1andstIl! Tor the last six months, |
and-n portion even for the last twelve |
months and longer. Some Tor a lonr
timo attributed the slackness which eS-
listed TO the fact that rush was made |
to export plates across the water for |
months prior TO the passage OF tho Nc |
kinley bill, but that cause docs not now
exist and even now it is well known |
that large stocks OF black plate are ex.
ported from South Wales, which are
likely TO be discontinued rs more mills |
!. are laid down in tho states. The price
OF labor, too, in the states is not
likelyto have such animportant bearing
on the trade IN America, for it il stated |