Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-15

clearly set forth and explained in their petition and full
y illustrated by Mr.. Sarchet in his statement, Ito both
OF which the committee beg leave to reer from which
maniesty appears, that ton OF chain cables
be imported into this country at less cost than the rods
out OF which they made, whereby the petitioners,
who have been for many years employed in the manu-
acture OF chain cables, have been brought to the very
brink vi ruin.
From these and many other examples, II appears,
that, whether have reference to bar iron paying
duty OF 37 ton, sheet and hoop iron, nail rods
and round square iron of half inch and UNDER all
paying duty OF SIS 40 per ton, or wire paying from
TO ~ cents per pound, "he result in each particular
will be the same, making IL, cons squcntiy, always
cheaper import the above descriptions Of iron in
manufactured than in sate; thus Of course de-
priving the American artizans Of employment, which
result is Produced not from the duty upon hardware be-
ing low (or these duties average about IS per cent?
but from the exorbitant duty iron, averaging from
l59 to 2S2 81 per cent.
The case, when thus plainly stated carries with it
its own best commentary, and renders argument
cessary Well might the petitioners inquire how ii has
happened that law oppressive unequal and unjust,
could have found its way into statute book, been
suffered remain there moment alter its true cha
racer had been fully exposed! IL will be for tho
try to say whether the true has not been given
oy Mr. Sarchet when he says, "that In the duties
heretofore imposed on iron the iron masters have only
considered themselves and have regarded the mocha
mics no more than If they were nonentes." 1t would,
indeed, seem II the tariff had been framed by
binaton OF interests, from whose counsels the hard
workings honest, and industrious mechanics had been
entirely excluded 1t would almost appear that the
OF wooen and cotton factories, (those lords Of the
spindle and the LOOM, and the wealthy iron masters,
all ably represented in the national councs,) have
been looking only to their own interest," while the me-
chanc and the lsborng have been overlooked and
dsregarded. 1t has, doubt often happened that he-
nest and hard. working men, (unskled in "the mystic
rious trade Of envching themselves the expense of
others) have found themselves pressed down by this
system of indirect taxation though unable to discover
the secret springs Of that grand machine (mscalled the
American system) by which all their efforts are paral
Zed-a system artlully IN ,La II.
richer; while humbes in the very dust the best hopes
OF those whose "hard hands and honest hearts" ene
them to the grateful consideration OF their country
Mr. Sarchet tells us that he has been engaged for
80 years in the backsmhs business; that he has ira
yelled extensively, and much of the world but
'that he has never seen any blacksmhs so poor. or
carrying on less prosperous business than those in
the United States at this time, which is owing, as he
believes: to the high duty which they compelled to
pay on iron.'
The committee forbear from making any further re-
marks upon the manifest inequality and injustice of the
existing duties and they do this the more readily since
whatever difference may prevail to the precise extent
oil the evil complained there is and be none as TO its
existence, or as TO just claims of the petitioners TO re-
dress The petitioners have insisted that it is abso
ueiy necessary that educ proportion" should he OBJ
served between the duties the material and the
manufactured article; and the Com. on Manufactures
in their report, made last year to the Senate have re-
eognized the correctness of this principle, II only re-
mains to be considered by hat this due proper
ton can be attained. The petitioners insist that this
can only be accomplished by reduction of the exist
ing duty on the raw material, while the Committee on
Manufactures contend that be best effected by
corresponding increase of the duties on hardware In
proceeding TO the examination of this question the COM
mittee cannot refrain from the expression of their ad
miration OF the enlightened and liberal views which
seemed to have governed the petitioners on this occa
sion. With magnanimity worthy of all praise thew
have scorned to relieve themselves from unjust and
unequal burdens by attempting to throw them upon
the shoulders Of Others and have firmly and manfully
resisted all the temptations held to them to ask,
that their industry should be protected by the mpos-
ton upon others Of the exorbitant duties OF which
they have SO justly compained.S
The committee could not forbear from doing this ius
tice to the wisdom and the virtue which enabled
the petitioners to discern the true policy Of the country
and to rise superior TO all temptation In the examina-
ton which they have made of this subject the commit.
tee have been forcbly struck with the and
elusive reasons which the petitioners have adduced in
support Of the position that low duty on the raw ma
teria is the only just and efectual means by which
American manufactures can receive wholesome en-
couragement; that the "dues proportion which all adj.
NIT ought to be preserved between the duty on the "a
material and that the manufactured article can in
this instance only be attained by reduction of the du-
ty on the former; and that such measure whilst il
would duly encourage the American mechanics and
lessen the tax upon would not Injurious
to the Of the rich and valuable iron mines of
the United States; and, so far from dinoishing the
resources OF the country, that such measure would
add greatly to The comforts of the people, and promote
their pro'prity in peace and security in war. No
ming can be more obvious than the position assumed
by the petitioners, thai, to preserve this educ proper
on, " the same protection be afforded 10 their in
dus,ry that is extended the iron masters but az the
latter has been shown (accordng to the siaenen OF
the barksmiihs) to be equal from l59 to 2Sz per
cent? follows that the duties upon hardware must be
| augmented to an amount which would not only be
manifestly unjus, but altogether impr,ctibIe.
The committee believe, with the petitioners that n
such ex; rbant duties could DO imposed UPON hard
ware, so far from tene6t,ing any ea,s Of the commu
nifty, II would tend to introduce smuggling and eva.
sons OF the revenue and lead extensively TO the sub
sttuon Of hemp leather, wood, and other cheap ma
erials, for the iron which Is used Ii is the iote
rest of every nation 10 introduce iron as extensively
as possible into the consunp ion OF the people, bee
il is Of all known materials the s'rong .si the most
durable, and capable OF being applied TO the
variety Of uses. All experience has shown that ,x.
acy 10 proportion to The low rate of duty and couss-
quen cheapness Of the material, is the general
use OF this article In this respect the present eond
ton Il England and France iur nishes an adm .b,e
commentary on the impoliey Of the protecting system.
when applied TO an article OF such primary necsssifv
and which contributes so essentially TO the romfot
p-oSpetiv, and improvement OF the peope IL is stat.
ed that in consequence OF the moderate duty ard low
price OF iron in England, the consumption Of iron in
that country, In comparison with that OF France
(where tho protecting sy'tem has been carried TO the
uo ost ex'eD) is, in opor popula ion a. thir.
teen TO one; AMI we learn r. IN the most authentic
sources, that the consequence IL every where 10 n.
fr,ced in the more highly improved state of agricuI
iu and the mechanic ais throughout Great Britain
while In France the eye is every where offended by
The rude ichnefy and implements Of
~ which tbs pei pie are constrained by the impoicy
OF their laws TO use. (See appendix C) In England
the low duty has greatly enlarged the consumption Of
iron and increased the production Of their rnin,s
10 France the high duties have producsd directly the
| contrary results.
Ev. ry dictate OF juce, and every confederation Of
sound policy, therefore, combins 10 bringing the com