A Better Use For Our Gold

Official statistics, justpublished, show that in the seven months from September, 1894, to Marcli last, both inclusive, the imports of woolens were $11,347,300, while for the like period in 1893-94 they amounted to only $8,937,332. This indicates the startling increase of 139.1 per cent. in this class of goods. The imports of cottons were $21,665675 against $12,883,556 in 1893-94 to $19817,929 in the cQrresponding seven months of the Wilson Tariff, showing a gain, for the foreigners, of 58.4 per cent. In the aggregate these transactions show that in the seven months after the Wilson Tariff went into effect the importations of drygoods were $78,608,793, while for the like peroid in 1893-94 they were $44,644,935, au increase of 76.2 per cent. When due allowance is made for under-valuations, stimulated as they are by the ad valorem duties of the Wilson Tariff, it is very evident that under the evil iniluence of that pernicious measure, foreign goods are again acquiring an undue iootliold inour markets. The alarming fact is that at a time when many thousands of workpeople were idle in the New England and other manufacturing districts, the Wilson Tariff was increasing the importation of dry goods to the extent of 76.2 per cent. in seven months alone. The gold that was paid for these foreign producís would have imported comfort in many American homes where work people sat gloomily, in enforcedidleness, while importers were busily engaged in unloading goods that coukl have been made here. It would have been a better use forour gold to have kept it at home.