A Business View

[Special Correspondence.l New York, -As was predicted by its author, the McKinley tariff law is vindioating itself . Evidence to that effect is accumulating all the time. Thousands of people who condeinned the "McKinley bill" when it was passed as being "a step too f ar" now frankly 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 on his business. Messrs. Devoe & Co. are wholesale dealers in paints, oils and artist materials. They have been established since 1852, and have a very extensivo 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 went too f ar 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 feit 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 I believe could be improved; but take it as a whole, judging from results coming under my personal observation, I have no hesitation m saymg tnat tne iaw is a posvtive Denent to the country, and is a vast improvement over the legislation the Demócrata 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 reciprocity. "Under the reciprocity agreement our goods are admitted to these countries under a tarifl 25 per cent. less than the commodities of England or any other country. That 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 their goods where they can get them the cneapest. ir we can unciersen erar rnglish 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 Bepublican ticket on account of reciprocity. There is very little 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 froin 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 thau in England, and yet we can buy the raw material that enters into their composition for less money abroad. Thus by importing the material and making the articles here we can undersell England or any other country. The tariff is a business question. I am not a politician and have never been a partisan. In theory free trade is all right, but my observation has been that the theorist uiakes a very poor business man." Every pension mensure except one wliich has ever passed this house has been passed by Bepublican votes, and would not have passed if there had been none but Demócrata in congress. - Hon. W. 1). Owen in House of Representativos Aug. 8, 1890. Sickles and Cockran on the Soldier Tote. It is well occasionally to recall that dramatic scène in the Chicago convention when Bourke Cockran, in the midst of his fervid speech, declared that at least 25,000 Union veterans in New York state would not support Cleveland, . and gray haired General Sickles rose in his seat and waving his crutch shouted, "Never! Never!" - Menden Republican. The people of the United States have sold to tlieir foreign nelghboi-s in the first year under the McKinley law over 8200,- 000,000 more in value than they have bought abroad. There is no other nation wítii such a record. Until adequate protection carne this country never made sufh a record. Had mot hing to wear- Adam and Uve.