Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1880 — Gen. Hancock on the Tariff Question. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Hancock on the Tariff Question.

The following correspondence has been made public : Mobbibtown, N. J., Oct. 11, 1880. My Dear General : My attention is called to-day to an interview, or reported interview, had with you by a person representing the Paterson Guardian, of this State. As I read the report, it seems to me you were very imperfectly understood or very indifferently reported. I came to this conclusion because of my knowledge of your views upon the tariff question. The report does you injustice. The subject is one which our manufacturing friends are very solicitous about, and very properly so. I regret that your views upon the tariff question, as I understand them to be, had not found fuller expression in your letter of acceptance. If the misrepresentations of your tariff views continue, would it not be wise and justice to take some occasion to put yourself right? Very trulvyours, To Gen. W. S. Hancock, Governor’s Island.

Governor’s Island, N. Y., Oct. 12. My Dear Governor : I have received your favor of the 11th inst. In my letter of acceptance I expressed my full sympathy with our American industries. I thought I spoke plainly enough to satisfy our Jersey friends regarding the tariff views. lam too sound an American to advocate any departure from the general features of a policy that has been largely instrumental in building up our industries, and keeping Americans from the competition of the underpaid labor of Europe. If we intend to remain honest and pay the public debt, as good people of all parties do, and if we mean to administer the functions of the Government, then we must raise revenue in some way or other. With a reunited and harmonious country we shall certainty in time pay off the public debt, but the necessity of raising money for the administration of the Government will continue as long as human nature lasts. All parties agree that the best way for us to raise revenue is largely by the tariff. So far as we are concerned, therefore, all talk about free trade is folly. But the tariff question will probably be treated with justice to all our interests and people by some such bill as Eaton’s. I believe that a commission of intelligent experts, representing both the Government and American industries, will suggest tariff measures that will relieve us of any crudities and inconsistencies existing in our present laws, and confirm to us a system which will be judicious, just, harmonious, and incidentally proj tective as well as stable in its effects. I am,

very truly vours.

W. S. HANCOCK.

The Hon. Theodore Randolph, Morristown, N.J.