Heavy Duties On Linens

The fcllowing are some of the comments oí a man well acquainted with I linens and the linen iudustry upon the I eenate doctorea Dingley bilí: The proposed duties on linen goods under the ameuded Dinlgey bilí are heavier than ever, although it has been clairued that the senate had reduced rates. These goods paid for many years 35 per cent and yielded a steady revenue to the governruent. The rates now ( proposed vary from 50 to 109 per cent, and the burden falls heaviest on low and medium goods, which are chiefly nsed in the homes oí fche poorer people. A cheap tablecloth now aelling at retail at 25 cents per yardwill have to be sold at 37) cents to 40 cents if the quality be kept up. Medium linen for children's summer blouses will be assessed 99} per cent, and the retail price will have to go up accordingly. Linen forms the raw material for many American industries, as linings for clothing and other purposes where strength and durability are required. Such goods will be advanced 20 to 30 per cent. It is claimed thatthisadvance is necessary for revenue, but the effect will be tbat the people will in many cases snbstitute something cheaper, and thus be Ï8prived of this usefnl fabric, and the revenue will be coriespondingly diminished. It is said that linen goods can be made here, but this bas been tried again and again, and except in the case of a few low crashes has been a f ailure, owing to the climate and other difficulties, but even if they could be made here the rates are unnecessarily oppressive. The entire cost of weaving linen goods in Europe is about 7% to 10 per cent the selling price of the article here, and in America the cost should not be at the very outside more than doublé this percentage, so that, even if Republican theories be true, a protection of 35 per cent should be ampie to allow for higher wages and extra profits for our manufacturers. It is possible speculators may start milis on the strength of these excessive rates, sell the stock, and then step out, lea ving the unfortunate laborer and manufacturer to face the difficulties of the situation as best they can. The laborer probably, having been brought here from Europe (for labor is on the free list ), with unreasonable expectations, will be left to join the army of disapDointruent and discontent. Why should these exorbitantly high rates be assessed on an article more or less in use in every honsehold in the land, and the cost of living so much increased in these days of keen competition and small profits? Why should the. plain people be taxed to put more money in the pockets of the rich? If the wealthy manufacturers want to make experiments, let them do so at tbeir own cost, not tax the poor for that purpose.