The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-25

ESopus, n. Y, October 22.-In a
speech on the tariff issue today, Judge
Parker replied to remarks on that sub
jeat from men representing six distinct
New York delegations which were re-
ceived at Rosemount today. The day
was not pleasant for an outdoor poIiti-
cal gathering. The air was chill and
during the noon hour a cold rain began
to fall
In his speech replying to the deiega-
tions Judge Parker reviewed at some
length the tariff history of the country
Referring to Hamilton's report on
manufactures, Judge Parker said:
Hamilton said that his object was TO
promote such manufactures as will
tend to render the United States inde-
pendent of foreign nations for military
and other essential supplies Does
anybody contend that the United
States is still dependent on foreign ma
tons for military and other essential
supplies? Have we not frequently
heard the note of alarm in Europe at
the American invasion of the worlds
markets by our manufactured goods
and especially those of iron and steel?
Whether Hamilton's conceptions as to
the best way to establish manufactur-
ing industries were right or not, the
object which he sought was long since
gained. but the protective tariff IS now
vastly higher than any that he recon-
mended or probably conceived Of
Judge Parker referred to efforts by
Republican statesmen to reduce the tar
iff in 1872, to Senator Sherman's opin-
ion that the rates should be reduced
and to a similar opinion by the tariff
commission of 1882. This commission,
said Judge Parker, reported a tariff bill
making a reduction of 20 to 25 per cent.
This bill was killed by protected inter-
ests and a bill substituted increased du-
ties to 1886 per cent. The Mckinley
bill imposed duties averaging 4s.H per
cent. and the present Dingley bill duties
averaging 50 per cent. Judge Parker
then said:
ITO this condition we have come at
last. Beginning with a tariff of IL
per cent. in 1879, when many OF our
industries were really infants. We have
by successive steps reached scale OF
over so per cent, while the industries
themselves have become colossal. Ham
| ilton said that the iron and steel INDUS
| try was already in a f1ourishing condi-
| ton in his time. He was willing never
! theless to give Z 1-2 per cent. to protec-
/ ton to steel. It now has $7.S4 per ton
| in steel rails and the "steel pool sells
them to Canadians at s19 per ton, but
exacts s2S from American purchasers
1t is enabled by thl tariff to do this
for without the tariff 1t would BE- obiig-
ed TO sell rails at home for the price al
which they could be imported Ameri-
can railways are thus compelled TO pay
S7.S4 per ton more than a fair price
that is s7.Sf than the price at which
somebody else would supply them. " ny
| do the railways submit to such extor-
ton? why do they remain quiet? Why
do they not establish rolling mills and
make their own rails2 Surely the diff
ference of S7.s4 per ten or 40 per cent
is a sufficient inducement TO do so.
| cannot answer this question, but IL the
leaders OF the steel rail industry are
also the controllers Of those railway
which are strong enough to defend
| themselves agains. extortion. the mys-
tery is explained In such case tht
profits go into the pockets OF the con-
| trollers OF the railways in their capacity
| OF steel producers. while the Other
shareholders Of the railway and the
general public pay the difference. The
tariff lends itself TO this sort OF grail
game, and IL the men who command
large capital do not avail themselves
OF their opportunity they are not 81
shrewd as they are generally supposed
TO be.
II cherish no grudge against mel
because they are rich. nor do I gr>atl,
blame them for taking the profits whiei
unjust laws throw in their way. but