The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-22
AIMED AT THE WEST.

make changes in the Dingley tariff
bill for the time being heads off a
movement calculated to work serious
injury to a large class of producers in
the west. Ever since the bill became
a law the shoe and leather manufact-
urers of the east have been seeking to
secure a modification of its provisions
SO as to remove the 10 per cent duty
on hides. They claim that the duty
should be removed in order to cheaper
the cost of their finished products. In
asking for this they pretend to be
prompted by the most philanthropic
motive, charging that if the duty on
hides we're removed they could sell
their goods at a proportionate reduc-
tion in price.
Of course, the demand for a removal
of the duty is purely a selfish one,
being prompted by a desire to enhance
their own profits, as it is safe to say,
even if their demand were complied
with, they would make no reduction
in the price of the goods they have to
sell. They could be depended upon to
offer some excuse for continuing pres
ent prices and pocket the difference.
The demand is purely one urged by
the rapacity of the ones making it.
We're an effort to be made to carry
their argument to its logical conclu-
sion by placing leather and it's fin
ished products on the free list those
same philanthropic gentlemen could
be relied upon to raise such a howl of
indignant protest as would make the
entire country t1emble. Their cupid
ity is so great that it blinds them to
every interest, except their own.
They demand hat all the profit shall
go into their own pockets and are in
different to the rights of others. So
grasping are they that they fail to see
the benefits to themselves of the duty
they demand shall be abolished. With
hides cheaper than they are the
many that produce them will be de-
rived Of a source of income they now
enjoy and their ability to purchase
will be reduced accordingly. How
this in turn will affect the shoe manu-
facturers can be understood without
the necessity Of any great or profound
reasoning.
The protective tariff which the
republican party advocates and which
is now one of the laws of the nation
is not intended to be an institution
that shall benefit only a few. Its en-
aotment was on a broader and more
patriotic basis. The producer of raw
materials is entitled to the same de-
gree of protection as is thrown about
the manufacturer, and what is good
for the latter is no less beneficial to
the former. The man who sells hides
merits the same consideration as the
one who tans and makes them into
shoes No difference should be made
between them and it is the duty of
the western senators to see that no
distinction is made. The men who are
demanding this distinction are organ
lied and are %resorting to every posi-
BILE means to accomplish their pur-
pose. Let the cattlemen of the west,
whose interests are threatened the
most, also organize and put forth
every ,endeavor to prevent what, il
successful, will be an act of injustice
to themselves and nll those Deepen.
dent upon them. Such organized &C.
tion should not be deferred until the
next session of congress. Now is tile
time to begin if anything is to be
done. By making proper presentation
of the facts the sympathy and CO.
operation of enough fair minded sen.
ators and representatives can be OBJ
tanned to defeat the attempt of the
shoe men.
Here is an opportunity for Senator.
elect CLARK to show his interest in the
welfare of the people whom he will
represent. Being a large producer o.
both raw and manufactured goods him
self, he will readily see the justice o.
maintaining the tariff on hides as il
now stands.
QUEEN VICTORIA. ~
No wonder that England is alarmed
at the condition of the health of tn