The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-31
CATERING TO THE SOUTH.
THE WAFsAND MEANS COMMITTEE
INVITE THEIR VIEWS.
A Hone Of stimulating Sentiment In Favor
of Protection In This Section nee"
with disappointment.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Dec. 5o.-spe-
cial.-The work of tie Ways ana M."nS
Committee upon the new tariA d" %
being watched with even greater interest
nv the Southern Democrats than py INC
Republicans themselves.
The announced intention of the Repuo-
lican managers is TO afford as nueh pio-
lection in their new bill to the industries
Of the Southern states as to those oi
Pennsylvania and New England. Ihey
hope III this manner to stimulate anu
increase the sentiment favorable TO pro-
lection in this section OF the country
TO the disappointment OF the hepsu u,,
can leaders. however, the pressure run -.
the South for increased tariu duties 10
so slight as 10 be scarcely percepuuic.
The invitation 10 southern MANUFACTURED
and mine owners TO come totWaru az"
make their wishes known 10 the coiiii. IL
tee has been as general as that 10 tnc
northerners But the latter are alone
showing any particular anxiety regatuns
Increased duties. The interest OF the
Democrats is due more TO the proDapie
effect of the proposed legislation upon
voters than to any hope that IL Will realiy
prove Of benefit TO the states they rep
resent
DON'T WANT PROTECTION.
one Of the leading southern men in the
House said. While 1 hope II there Is any
virtue in protective legislation that the
South may get it's fun share OF the behe,
fits TO result l am certain mat IL Hi
do no good. and the southern md1dfac-
turer Will be lea widely astray n ne foi-
lows the example OF his northern COM
petitor and expects prosperity by unit
ing and reducing consumption. In Ala
bama and Tennessee We can produce now
better iron and steel than can be pro-
duced in Pennsylvania. and do II at less
cost In several States We can beat
New England in the manufacture Of cot
ton goods and In other lines Of mauutac-
ture. We can hold our own with the
Northern States.
WE SELL ABROAD.
Tariff legislation will do us no good.
Ii will not increase our profits. because
we already sell our products abroad, and
must look To our foreign trade as the
paramount basis of prosperity. What
the South does need Is "A banking system.
and ono that Will enable Us TO make use
OF the values We unQucStiOnahly possess
for the development OF our resources and
Tor the establishment OF such mauutdc-
tories as will enable as TO use our raw
materials at home. without the necessity
OF transporting 10 the manufacturing
States OF the North. Tarin can give ms
no more money than We have at present,
and our lack of currency is the only
circumstance which hampers MS. ] be
lieve N the bin which Is now being
framed by the Ways and Means Com
miftee becomes law that IL will be
demonstrated beyond the shadow OF u
doubt that IL cannot help us in the South.
and that Il viii not benefit the North.
For this reason | viii not be sorry to
see the measure enacte. into law. because
II VIII prove an object lesson to the whole
American public H. political economy that
should convince the people that financial,
and not tariff. legislation l. needed.
GIVE Us A CHANCE.
Give US in the SOulh the means OF
utilizing 10 best advantage the resources
we possess and we will not ask 10 he
protected from the competition of the
entire world.
As was the case with the Mckinley BILL
the plan of the Ways and Means Com
turers write the bill Che next Congress
will be asked 20 pass.