The San Francisco call., 1896-05-14
Manager Tacy of the Manufac'
turers' Association Scores
1t Roundly.
A MILDER VIEW EXPRESSED.
Assistant Quartermaster Wiegand
Considers the Matter of
Small Import.
"Tne thing is simply outrageous"

In this brief but pungent sentence S. H.
Tacy, secretary and general manager OF
the Manufacturers and Producers Asso-
ciation, summarized his views on the
matter of the Grant monument pedestal.
II am, of course, giving my personal
opinion" went on MIR. Tacy, 'yet l am
sure 1t is in accord with the views of this
association. Every business man in the
City and State knows how earnestly this
association has striven to fight off all un-
fair competition with our native products
and manufactures. 1t is a matter of pub
lie record that we have arrayed all the
power and influence at our disposal against
the importation of prison-made stoves
from Oregon. When we heard that
convict-manufactured cigars, cigarettes
and tobacco were being sold and
used in various parts of the State, we put
forth every endeavor 10 stop the entry
into our markets of these products OF East
ern penitentiaries. We have waged inces-
SAINT war against the use of foreign Goals
and other supplies in asylums, prisons
and other public buildings, when articles
of equal merit and cost could be found
within our own borders.
But now We find our efforts once more
set at naught. This time it is no grasping
speculator seeking to ennch himself by
foisting cheap Eastern or foreign goods
on our market. No. indeed; our battle
now is with patriots who would do honor
to the memory of one of the grandest men
who ever sat II the chair of the Nations
chief magistrate.
at is humiliating and disgusting to see
slowly rising in the park monument the
larger portion OF which was fashioned by
the hands of convicted felons. After
labOrlnp TO prOtect Eotiya iDHuSiry
against undue encroachment, ana being
rewarded with success in many instances,
we now find ourselves, so 10 speak, at the
bottom OF the ladder again. 1t is in the
utmost degree discouraging to find out
that our latest adversary is no Fastener
or foreigner. This time we are attacked
from within. The free, honest and de-
serving workman is brought into compe-
tltlon with the criminal, unpaid convict.
This association can never countenance
such a state OF things. Our end and aim
is TO foster and encourage native indus
tries and native products. Among our
members we mum ber great portion of the
foremost business men of the City and
State, and | alI positive that every man
among them must regard the pedestal
business with unqualified disapproval.
''Of course the pedestal itself is small
affair, but 1t stands for principle and that
principle Is L most ruinouS and suicidal
one. Ii it be right TO place a convict-made
monument in the park Why should il not
be right as we'll TO put convict-maGe
stone wall around the park? Nay, if it
comes TO that, why should not convicts
quarry and dress the stone for our public
buildings, aye, and put them up, too2
The issue thus forced upon this asso-
citation cannot be evaded. Committed as
We are TO the protection of free home
labor we must protest in unqualified terms
against any contract for public or private
work which brings the convict into the
field OF industry es a competing factor.
cannot see how any business man having
the good of the City and State at heart
could possibly take any other view than
that which | have expressed"
Eugene Wlegand, assistant quartermas-
ter-general of the Grand Army of the Re.
public for the department of California
and Nevada, took different view. At
first he did not wish to speak at all, but
on being assured that he would not be
mlsquoted he thawed somewhat.
1t really seems TO me-" he observed,
THAT these labor unions are getting to be
very exactlng. At this rate they will soon
order US TO stop drinking coffee if they
find that the berries have been gathered
by non union men. So far as | can see.
the work on the pedestal was we'll done.
A large number of q. A. r. men have
come in during this morning and after
noon, and not one of them has expressed
any surprise or dispieasure at the proceed
ure of the Monument Association.
''In my opinion" said Mr.. Wiegand. in
conclusion, "the affair is really OF little
moment"
Meanwhile the monument is being set
up by a number of union workmen. From
an esthetic standpoint it can hardly be
called success. Three grades or steps
lead up to a square base from which rises
rather chunky looking obelisk, appar-
emily cut off before reaching it's prime.
since its height is perhaps half what it
should be were the canons of proportion
observed. On the sawed-off summit of
this marvel of stone a life-Iike bust of
General Grant stands, placed there appar-
emily by accident, since no feature OF the
weird design could possibly lead one to
look for it in such station.
''The only thing l can see to admire IN
the whole thing remarked an art critic
of no small ability on viewing the monu-
ment yesterday, sis the spirit OF gratitude
and patriotism which animated those who
contributed to the erection of a memorial
to one of our Nations grandest heroes"