Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-19

shal, now examine the proposed duty on
wool. The bill provides for duty OF cents
per pound on all kinds of wool and, in addition,
an ad valorem duty increasing from forty 10 iif-
ty per cent. On this subject. could no, concur
with a majority Of tho committee. II seerei
to mo clearly that the proposed moas'ue was
no, adapted to the existing stale Of things.
a., opposed, ut present 10 an additional
duiy on a ool costing over eight cents per pound.
NV reasons aro, tnat such wool is not produced
in this coun,ry. TIE manufacture Of it is es-
tabrished. Tho fsbric which We formerly inI-
ported # ON abroad rs nov produced among our
solves. The advantages resulting from tie man
uraclu:e re now enjoy. The raw material we
do not produce Tho evidence before the Com
niitee clearly proves iha, the lowest priced
wool of native srowih is worth from ~ to 20
cents rer pound. l know that the farmer IL
Appealed TO. uo is asked 10 beeye that he
will enjoy grea, hepcit from this appGren; pro-
tec,ion Now, sir, venture 10 say that the
State to which belong Is as doep!, interested in
the policy how under consideration as any por-
ton of tho Union. But do not believe the
farmers of my State would be much fatcred
with q recommendation TO grow wool worth ten
or twclves cents, when they can as VOL pro-
duce that which may DO worth forty or fifty
Neither would they drive manufacturer on; OF
,hc country because they did not produce 'he
raw material. Protection shoalJ. in my opin-
ion, be extended TO such interests as do eXist or
NAV be promoted.
A majority of The Committee considered that
tho door would be open TO frauds; that such
wool as is imported into the United States would
take the place Of ,he wool Of this country. To
me this seems impossible. Wool costing abroad
eight cents, and under, would be worth IN our
market abou, twelve or thirteen cents at most
The prices of tho poorest American, as We
have seen, is from twenty to twenty five in the
market. If i; is little lower in the interior,
tho cause which depresses tho price there would
also increase the price Of tho foreign article
when transported into tho interior Tue space
therefore is go wide between tho price OF for
eign wool costing 5 cents aud under, and tho
price Of our own, worth 20 and %, that 1t will
perfectly secure our farmers from any danger
But it s said that foreign coarse wool comes 20
our market unwashcd, and loses one halt or two
thirds il preparing for use. The duty then OPP
crates certainly. with create! effect. Agans:
III. trade IN wool 10 confined TO the American
merchant or importer. The foreign mannfac-
ture is no, engaged. Tho cost abroad is known.
Responsibility 70 our own laws is felt.
From this ul1'c.;al the coarse fabrics arc pro-
duccd. Negro cloths, inferior baizes and tian-
nels. The poor--,he poor--s'r, have been
sub 10 cts of great commlseratIon oi le'o much
sympathy has boon fol, for them. hope aul
moi destitute OF humanity also. l am fully conf
dent, shoud We impose the proposed duty, we
should drive the manufacture out OF the
country. Tho consequence vii! be an unne-
essary burthen on thoso whose sufferin2s we
ali seem dsslrousto alleviate.