Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-17
ETorcester
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II, 1923
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
4 belief of the necessity of revising the tar
if, so as nearer to equalize the protection to
different branches of domestic industry, we be-
lieve is daily gaining ground. We have re-
Gently seen circulars from a Committee of the
inhabitants of New-Bedford and vicinity, re-
questing aco-operation with them, in petition
ing Congress for an increase of duty on inn
ported tallow and candles, for the avowed
purpose of granting relief and encouragement
to those who are interested in the whale fish
cry. Unless we are much mistaken, many of
those who have been active in promoting this
petition, have heretofore been decided in their
hostility to similar measures. The New-Bed-
ford Mercury,it is true, has attempted to make
distinction, on the ground that this is not for
The encouragement of any manufacture, but
for the protection of branch of foreign enter
prize but this is a distinction without diff
ference, or, if there be a difference, it is in ia
your of the manufacturer. Both ask protec-
ton of different branches of domestic industry,
from the dangers of too free foreign competi-
ton. and it matters not whe the income Of
the industry, or labor employed, be derived
from the product of the ocean or the land, or
from the manufacture of the products of either,
with this exception, that foreign enterprise in
case of war and other contingencies, is more
liable to be cut off and destroyed, while man
ufactures will then flourish most, and that too,
at the very time when they are most needed.
This principle of protection is no new one in
our government, but has been acted upon, al
most from its commencement. The southern
planters, and those engaged in commerce, have,
heretofore, mostly partaken of its benefits, and
they it is, who are most pertinacious in refusing
its extension to other classes Of the csmmuni
ty. The cultivation of cotton was unsuccess-
full till duty of about 40 per cent was impos-
ed on it, and now, it is estimated that more than
three ffths of all the cotton, used in Europe and
America, is raised in this country. The duty
on sugar and molasses is equal to about 100
Per cent, the consequence of which is, that
the sugar planters OF the southern states sup
ply about three fourths OF the whole consump-
ton OF the Union. The nett annual profit of
many of the sugar plantations is from one to
two hundred thousand dollars, and the income
OF single slave, upon them, is from seven hun
dred and fifty dollars to one thousand dollars
per annum. The duty on manufactured to-
bacco is near 100 per cent.
Thus we see the great staples of the south
are protected by duties far exceeding what the
manufacturers of the north have ever dreamed
Of asking. Those engaged in commerce have
been hardly less favoured. Foreign vessels
are prohibited engaging in the coasting trade
ander penalty of ccnGscation ten per cent.
higher duties is charged on goods imported in
soreign, than in American vessels, and foreign
vessels pay 700 per cent greater tonnage duties
than American. Besides, it should be recol-
lected that, probably, more than one half Of
Me Tevenmc Of the Union for the last thirty
Yesrs,has been appropriated, either directly or
indirectly, to the protection Of commerce.
The increase of duty asked by the manulac-
iurers, of the last Congress, which caused SO
much excitement, was eight per cent on fine
eOs'op and woOllen manufactures, and .,iue per
cent on those of iron, steel, brass, copper, tin
and lead.
ofthe abstract question of the policyofp pro-
sectins duties generally, we do not intend ex-
pressing any opinion our object being to point
out some of the inequalities of the present sys-
ten, and the consequent necessity of a revis-
ion Of it. One position, however, relative to
it, we believe will generally be conceded to be
correct; that whenever any branch of bust
sess can be prosecuted with success, in ordi-
nary times, and under ordinary circumstances,
it's safe and wise for government to impose
such duties, as will protect it from the fuctu-
atoms Of the market, consequent on the irreg-
uiarity Of foreign impcrtations. That this is