New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-12

courtesy Of the officials of the American Con-
suiate have been able to meet representative
men OF the district. and have been surprised
10 observe how cordial and sincere is the feel
Ing of goodwill toward the United States
Neither merchants nor manufacturers like the
new tariff. which has temporarily cut down their
American trade to less than third of the pre-
Vlous years exports. and will probably reduce 1t
at least one-half for many years to come. They
10 not hesitate to say that the business interests
OF the district have been materially injured by
the Dingley tariff but In the same breath they
add that they discriminate sharply between a
hostile tariff and friendly people They abom-
mate tariff which takes business away from
them, but they like and respect America.
One exporter, whose interests had suffered
materially from tariff legislation. pointed sig
nihcantly TO a portrait over tho mantel In his
private Office when asked him If there was
unkind feeling in Bradford toward the
United States. Il regard him" was his COM
ment, as one of the noblest and abest OF your
PRESIDENTS, who has been administering his Of
nee under trying circumstances with practical
wisdom and signal success" 1t was large
portrait Of President Mckinley and there were
similar copies in other Offices and public places.
This tribute to the President and the conspicu-
GUS honors accorded 10 his portrait impressed
me strongly. since had been running over the
statistics of the exports showing how suddenly
Bradford's trade with the United States had
fallen from nearly $4,000 900 in 1889 to Sill
GA 900 in 1891. after the passage Of the McKin-
ley act. and how rapid was the rise from about
s. 100000 in 1894 TO nearly $2S.OOO.OD0 in 1890
under the Wilson act and how complete is the
reaction this year. when the aggregate will be
about S7.OO0,OO0 under the Dingley act. Presi-
dent Mckinley has never stood for the business
policies Of Bradford but his face is not turned
To the wall in the business Offices OF the mer-
chants.
PROTECTIONISTS IN BRADFORD
a manufacturer remarked to me- You know
that many Of US are protectonists in Bradford
and do not join in the hue and cry against Nc
Kinleyism and Dngeyism. We consider that
Americans are showing great practical intelli
gence in reserving their market for them
selves and securing their manufacturers
against destructive competition" Lord Mash
am is Bradford manufacturer and he
is one Of the strongest protectionists In
England. and there are others who share
his view that free trade has not armed
English Industries with resources for Sc
curing fair play in the markets Of the world.
That is however a minority opinion. The
ioritv If the merchants and manufacturers are
convinced free traders and are emphatic In de-
claring that the United states was in fair
way 70 establish great woollen Industry of
IFS own under the free-WOol schedule Of the
Wilson act. and that it has taken the back
track under the Dingley act. With this con
troyersial question. as convinced American
protectionist. ! am not dealing in this letter.
NV only purpose is t. give accurate account
Of the effects Of tariff legislation upon Brad
,.f-if in U-hf
suits are discussed by broad-minded good
hearted Yorkshiremen The effects have been
disastrous TO trade here. but there is no resent
ment Nowhere else in England have I heard
such cordial expressions Of goodwill to America.
These merchants and manufacturers. whose
business interests have been seriously damaged
by the new wool schedule, are most tolerant
and philosophical in discussing it, They make
no concealment Of the fact that Bradford has
been badly hurt by the Dingley tariff, and they
are eager to receive some assurance that a re-
versal Of the protectionist policy may be ex-
pected in the course Of few years. Mean
while they are looking more sharply after
home trade than ever before. and are not vast
ing time in thoughtless denunciaton and abuse
Of America They are sympathetic in all their
expressions about American policy in the East
and West Indies and are emphatic in declaring
that England and America must stand together
the world over They are almost as proud Of
Dewey's and SIMPSONS victories as they would
be If the English flag had triumphed in place
OF the American and they confidently believe
that in assuming responsibility for colonies the
United States will enter upon wide and liberal
policies. Good feeling characterizes their COM
rnents upon American affairs. The Dingley tar
if has cut down Bradfords trade with its best
foreign customer. but il has not created any
spirit Of enmity toward America. !. y. +.