Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-04-27


% ,254, and the total number of persons sub.
sisted by it, at lie ,273 The measure o
protection extended 10 this necessary article
was never fully adequate until the passage o
the act of 1928 and what has been the conse-
quencel The annual increase ofquantity
since thS penod, has been in ratio of neal
! twenty-five per cent. and the wholesale
price of bar iron in the Northern cities, was
in 1928, sos per ton, in 1929, 500, in
1880, $50, and in 1881, from sS5 TO S75-
constantly diminishing. We import very
little English iron, and that which we do
is inferior, and only adapted to Jew pur-
poses. In institutinga comparison between
that inferior article and our superior iron
subjects entirely different, are compared
They are made by different processes. The
English cannot make iron of equal quality
TO ours, al less price than we do. They
have three classes, best-best, and best, and
ordinary. 1t is the latter which is imported.
VI the whole amount imported, there is or
Iy about 4 600 tons OF foreign iron that pays
the high duty the residue paying only a
duty of about thirty per cent, estimated on
the prices OF the importation Of 1929. Our
iron ore is superior to that of Great Britain,
yielding often from sixty 10 eighty per cent. =,
whilst theirs produces only about twenty
five. This fact is so well known, that
have heard Of recent export tion OF iron ore
10 England.
1t has been alleged, that bar iron, being
raw material, ought TO be admitted free, or
with low duties, for the sake ofthe manufac-
turcrs themselves. But take this 10 bea true
principle, that, il our country is producing
a raw material of prime necessity, and, with
reasonable protection, can produce it, in sul-
ficient quantity 10 supply our wants, that
raw material ought to be protected, although
1t may be proper TO protect the article also
out ofFwhich it is manufactured. The tai
Tor will ask protection for himself, but wish
es it denied to the grower of wool and the
manufacturer Of broad cloth. The cotton
planter enjoys protection for the raw mate
rial, but does not desire il TO be extended 10
the cotton manufacturer. The ship-build-
er will ask protection for navigation, but
does not wish it extended 10 the essential
articles which enter into the construction of
his ship. Each, in his proper vocation,
solicits protection, but would have il deni-
ed 10 all other interests which are supposed
10 come into collision with his. Now, the
duty OF the statesman is, to elevate himself
above these petty conflicts; calmly to sur
vey all the various interests, and deliberate
iy 10 proportion the measure OF protection
to each, according 10 its nature and TO the
general wants OF society. 1t is quite posi-
bic that IN the degree of protection which
has been afforded 10 the various workers in
iron, there may be some error committed.
although | have lately read an argument Of
much ability, proving that no injustice has
really been done to them fthere be. il
ought 10 be remedied.
The next article 10 which | would call
the attention of the Senate, is that of cotton
fabrics. The success of our manufacture of
coarse cottons is generally admitted. 1t is
demonstrated by the fact that they meet the
cotton fabrics of other countries. in foreign
markets, and maintain successful CONNECT
ton with them. There has been a gradual
increase OF the export OF this article. which
is sent 10 Mexico and the South American
Republics, to the Mediterranean, and even
10 Asa. The remarkable fact was lately
communicated 10 me, that the same in
diqidual who twenty-five yearsago, was en-
gagged IN the importation of cotton cloth from
ASIA, for American consumption, is now en-
gagged in the expectation of coarse American
cotton TO Asia, for AsiatiC consumption -
And my honorable friend from Massachu-
sets, now in my eye, MIR. Silsbee) inform
ed me that, on his departure from home, a.
mong The last orders which he gave, one
was for the expectation of coarse cOttons TO
Sumatra, in the vicinity of Calcutta
hold IN my hand q statement, derived from
the most authentic source, showing that the
identical description of cotton cloth, which
sold, IN 1917, at twenty nine cents per yard
was sold, IN 1919, at twcnty-one cents in
1879, at fourteen and a half cents in 1927,
at thirteen cents in 1929, at nine cents in
1881, at nInesand half cents and in 1881
at IRON ten and half to eleven. Such is
The wonderful effect OF protection, competi.
Ton, and improvement in skill, combined
he year 1929 was one of some suffering to
Tins branch OF industry, probably owing 10
inc prlhcipie oil competition being pushed
100 lar ana hence we observe asmall rise in
the article the next two years. The intro
oucllon OIL calico printing into the United
States, constitutes an important era in our
manufacturing industry. 1t commenced A.
bout the year 1925, and has since made such
astonishing advances, that the whole ouan-
tty now annually printed is but LITTLE short
OF forty millions of yards-ahOut two thirds
ofour whole consumption. 1t is a beautiful
manufacture, combining great mechanical
skill with scientific discoveries in chemis-
ny HC engraved CyllhuCIS Tor making
the impression require much taste. and nut
IN requisiiion the genius Of The fine arts Of
design and engraving. Arc the fine grace
/ iul forms Of our fair Countrywomen less love
I ly when enyclloped in the chintses and cali
/ Goes produced by native industry, than when
clothed IN the tinsel Of foreign drapery
/ Gentlemen are, no doubt, surprised al
/ these facts. They should not uudcrrate The
energies, the enterprise, and the skill, of our
ioilow-citizens. have no doubt they arc