Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-27

completely shackled than they viii be by this
bill.
He referred to the four powers BY which the
Senator from Kentucky had said that our pro.
tective system could be preserved LIST. prohlo''
ton. 2dly, the free list Sdly, incidental protec-
ton-all Of which would be found inadequate.
and the 4,h, discrimination, or specific duties,
was the only one which would avail. DIscrimi'
mating aud specific duties we're the last resource.
and If that were TO be gwen up, there could be
no longer any hope for the protective system, 10
war or in peace. He insisted, that not being
owners of the properly, but merely agents or ad-
m,nistrators, we had no right to fetter a future
Congress He regarded this bill as the last will
and testament of this Congress. which would be
set aside by the people, but not on the ground OF
want of sanity in those principally engaged 10
It. for he never saw gentlemen more fully IN pos.
session Of that sagacity, nor on any account Of
any undue influence, although he could not help
thinking that panic had something to do with it,
and that if the South Carolina ordinance and re-
plevin- law had not appeared, this bill would ne
yer have appeared in the Senate
In reference to the practical effect of the bill.
he stated that he saw obstacles to the carrying
this bill into effect. which appeared to him to be
insurmountable. He thought that it would be
difficult to ascertain the legal value Of Cotton.
He took view Of the different values attached
to Cotton, and Of the professional construc.
tons to which the clause concerning cotton would
be subjected In relation to iron also, he thought
that the difficulties IN ascertalning the value
would be such as to render the provision concern
ing the article imperative. The duties on iron
having hitherto been specific, n" principle of va
luaton had been laid down. lie considered that
there vas no legislative provision by which the
value on iron could be assessed. The same
remarks were applicable to sugar; and he stated
case to show the difficulty which exist in reach.
ing proper and fixed basis for duty. lie sup
posed the answer would he. il difficulties arise,
the Secretary must get through them as well as
he can; and il he cannot he must come to Con-
sress.
As a measure of france, he had no idea that
the bill would be an efficient measure. He had
not heard the assertion that the bill would at all
reduce the revenue. He denied that the reduc.
ton of duties Oh boots and shines and clothing
would reduce the revenue. The bill would, in
these branches, reduce thousands OF mechanics
to ruin, and BY this operation would increase
the revenue In this point, the bill aims dead
y blow on the poor, the young. the enterprising;
on the labor and the ingenuity of the country
BY the introduction of foreign alcohol, at redu.
ced rate of duty, the revenue would be increa-
sed; but he though, gentlemen should pause be-
fore they sanctioned this change. The entire
breaking up OF the printing establishments for
printing calicoes, would be one Of the consequen.
ces Of the Passage Of the bill; and In proof he read
some extracts from a memorial OF the Lowell
manutac turers. These institutions might survive
the three first reductions, but the fourth would
be fatal to them. On the spinning and weaving.
the effect, if not SO disastrous, would scarcely be
less objectionable. The Large capitalists in that
branch would be able TO make money by break.
Ing down all young and enterprising establish
meats In reference to woolens, with duty Of
20 per cent. on wollens, With duty of 90 per ct
Oh wool, it is impossible that they can stand The
depreciation Of property would be the first con-
sequence, aud the depreciation of credit the nex'
and, by the surrender of their interests, long be.
fore this bensfcent home valuation can come to
their relief, their eyes will be sealed in DEATH
As to iron, English iron or Wales costs 26 dol
lars a ton. and the supply is inexhaustbe. Iron
in Russia and Sweden costs 40 dollars tom
English iron has been taxed 80 dollars, and Bal.
tic iron 18 dollars ton. The change from spe.
cifc to ad vaiorem duty will work an injurious
change. He believed that this surrender once
made, we could never return to the present state
of things, without such struggle as would shake
the country much more than any thing has yet
shaken 1t.
He might be wrong. There might be no
pledge, no constitutional objection; but if so, ,
why this bill? The People will no. expect the
passage Of this bill. There was no expectation I
at the commencement of this short session that !
such bill would be passed. The Senate had
not time to know the pleasure Of their masters I
No opportunity had been offered for obtaining
knowledge OF either the course of public interests.
It was said the next Congress would pass this
Dill lift was not PASSED now He did not fear
the next Congress; but if that body should choose
to undo what was now done, it would have the
power SO to do.
1T was true, as the Senator from Kentucky
that the intention of South Carolina
was merely to enter into law suit with the Unit
ed States, then there was no necessity for this
sacrifice Of great interests. He believed that if
this bill should become law, there will be an
action on the part of the People at the next ses.
sion to overthrow 1t. 1t will not be all requiem
a mi lulIahu when fhi. hill shall he uassad I'm |