Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-07
From the Democratic Press.1
TARIFF QUESTION.


The speech Of Mr. Everett, "deivered at q
meeting of Manufacturers and wool growers in
Boston," should be read by every one who
wishes 20 understand the real purport OF the
great question TO which il relates. lndepen-
dent Of the extraordinary ability it displays, it
claims our attention, on account OF the lrresIst-
able manner in which il goes 10 remove mis-
apprehension as 10 he extent 10 which the
Woollens bill Of the last session OF congress
would operate-and was intended 20 operate IN
the encouragement Of that branch Of manulac-
lures.
He shews that the friends OF that vitality i'm
portrpt measure, did not seek !or any protec-
ton 10 the woollen business calculated TO be Ell
feclive TO a greater extent than the provision IN
the tariff of 1924 had been expected 10 be-
That the manufacturers only soug ht to restore
the efficiency Of that tariff in department III
which it haG been rendered almos, nuga,ory by
British coun,er-legisIalion, by the frauds oil ira
ders, and by her circumstances.
The opinion has generally prevailed that the
manufacturers of woollens aud growers OF wool,
have not been content with the protection al
forded by The las, Tariff buI that they were now
seeking omething intended to go beyond the
original intent Of that system.
Mr. Everett corrects this mistake. He sbews
that their project amounts 10 no more than
claim upon the good faith Of government to do
for ,hem, in effect, what all parties to the ques.
ton agreed to in 1924, as being fair, and really
less than has been done for other similar branch
es Of industry.
The subject therefore does not properly in
volve the general question ofpolitlcal economy,
whether manufactures ought to be fostered at
the expense Of commerce II tariff is to ex-
isl containing any Of the protective principle,
10 ind JcD - haf ohf
equitabIy as possible; and no! like the existing
tariff practically leave out branch Of business
in which majority of the states are mos, deep
ly interested.
The provisions Of the existing tariff were
rendered inefficient in this way, so far as wool
len articles were concerned. In 1924 the Bri-
fish duty upon the importation Of wool was re
duced from to pence, and in 80, further
reduction of Il half penny per h. took place up
on all wool OF a less price than shilling per h.
Reductions were also made upon other articles
necessary in the manufacture Of wollens, es!i-
mated 10 be equivalent 10 an average bounty of
per cent.
q Mr. Everett observed that it had been press.
ed upon the advocates Of the protective system
10 meet the British duties by q corresponding
reduction OF The import duty on wool 10 this
country; which would have answered the pur-
butwould have been ruinous 10 the wool growers
Besides this, it was admitted, on all hands,
that frauds upon the revenue to an enormous
amount were praotised under the present SYSTEM
and the only remedy which has yet been sug-
gested was the bill for graduated duty, which
was lost in The senate by the casting vote of Mr..
Calhoun a, the last session These frauds were,
besides their other evil effects, more injurious
than any Thing else 10 the Amerio an manufac.
turer, and every one will admit that if i. be pos.
sible they ought 10 be prevented
The great object Of the National Convention
OF Manufacturers and Wool growers at Harris
burg will be to agree upon some equitable sys-
tenn OF duties for the articules in question, such
as may carry the graduating principle to those
OF every different value, and be at the same
time sufficiently simple, practicable and not
susceptible ofevasion. This will be matter
or exceeding difficulty, but of inconceivabIe
Importance The more the question is consid-
cred the better Of course will it be understood.
he great success of the Convention for Inter-
nal@lmprovcment held at Harrisburg, in this
State Two years ago, and the permanent and
extensive system to the establishment, OF which
II has led, could not but operate as powerful
stimulus to the same minds 10 take advantage
oil the state Of excitement on the wooden bill,
to call a Manufacturers Convention at the same
place, to devise means to protect their interests
Yet there are those who affect to believe that
the Manufacturers Convention originated at
Boston.
Domestic Goods.