Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1892 — A BUSINESS VIEW. [ARTICLE]

A BUSINESS VIEW.

The Tariff Seen Through Biuiness Spectacles. [Special Correspondence. ] New York, Sept. s.—As was ’predicted by its author, the McKinley tar-ifflaw-is vindicating itself. Evidence to that effect is accumulating all the time. Thousands of people who condemned the “McKinley bill” when it was passed as being “a step too far” now frank 1 y admit that they were mistaken, as many New Yorkers are also doing. George W. Betts, of the firm of F. W. Devoe & Co., corner of Fulton and William streets, makes a most interesting statement as -to the effect of the McKinley bill bn his business. Messrs. Devoe & Co. are wholesale dealers in paints, oils and artist materials. They have been established since 1852, and have a very extensive Trade, both domestic and foreign. Mr. Betts is a typical independent. As such he has held more or less pronounced views on the subject of tariff reform. “I confess that I was opposed to the McKinley bill when it was under consideration in congress.” said Mr. Betts. “I thought it wept too far and believed that the Republican party was making a serious mistake in passing it. I did not think that I should ever vote the Republican ticket again. Many of my friends who had Republican antecedents felt the same way. But since I have observed the actual operations of the McKinley law and its effect on the business interests of the country my views have changed. “There are still many things in the McKinley bill that 1 believe could be improved; but take it as a whole, judging from results coming under-my personal observation, 1 have no hesitation in saying that the law’ is_apositive benefit to the country, and is a vast improvement over the legislation the Democrats have suggested to take its place. Take, for instance, the reciprocity and drawback clauses. Reciprocity is opening up the markets of Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Brazil, Mexico and other countries to the south of us. We are shipping more goods to these countries than ever before, and it is all on account of reci- ‘ procity; : •-“Uadler-fFo ’-eriprosUy agjegippnt our goods are admitted to these countries under a tariff 25 per cent, less than'the commodities of England or any other country. T .at gives us a great advantage, and we are beginning to reap the benefit of it. “Business is business the world over and merchants are going to buy i their goods where they can get them the cheapest. If we can undersell our English and European rivals we will certainly gain the bulk of the trade of the countries to the south of us.—-———

“I believe,” added Mr. Betts, “many Independents will vote the Republican ticket on account of reciprocity. There is very Irtue politics in business. A business man will not support either party if he believes it is against his interests to do so. I would not myself. ■—“The drawback clause is another matter. Reciprocity gives us new markets in certain countries. The drawback clause in the McKinley tariff law is of almost equal importance, although it is less understood and appreciated. The drawback law enables our people...to,, compete with the world. Under it we can import raw materials or manufactured articles from abroad and get all the duty back except 1 per cent, when we export them. “This applies to every line of goods. There are many things we can make cheaper here than in England, and yet we can buy the raw material that enters into thejr composition for less money abroad. Thus by importing the matei-ial and making the 'articles hero we can undersell England or any other country. The tariff, is a business question. 1 am not a politician and have never been a partisan. In theory free trade is all riljlit, but my observation has been that the theorist makes a very poor business man."

Every pension measure except one which has ever passed this house has been passed by Uepubllcau votes, auil uuuld not have passed If there had been non® bat Democrats In congress.—Hon. W. D. Oweu In House of Representatives Aug. S, ISVO. Sickles and Cockran on the Soldier Vote. It is well occasionally to recall that dramatic scene in the Chicago convention wheoßourke Cock ran, in the midst] of his fervid speech, declared that at' least 25,fKX> Union veterans in New| York state would pot support Cleveland, i ' and gray haired General Sickles rose in J his seat and waving bis crutch shouted, i "Neverl Neverl”—Meriden Republican., The people of tho Vulted States have , sold to their foreign aelgbbots In the first. year under ths law over BSOO,-| 1000,000 more In value than they havej bought abroad. There Is so other nation j with sneb ft -o’"-.' I Hill adequate prw- ' leetiou earns this country never made' Acts a reword.