Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-31

you 60 down, it is with what benefits the manuiae-
turers; and if you GO up, it with what benefits them
Both processes work for them, and both against con-
sumers. What would the compromise, SO construed,
be worth to the latter?
This is not imagination, Sir 1t is solemn reality
in the present Tariff we'll in the principle OF the
proposed one which has passed the other House.
Thus under the existing tariff, duties have been
kept high much above twenty per cent, on most OF
the protected articles, such iron and wooens' t m
latest moment; while most OF the !uSuries, lhe 10
were, long ago. some made free, ana SOM ~ and
per cent the wines put much below ~ per ",'
a large lumber of articles used in various hahu'
made entirely free Again, the great m M y,
gar SALT and mo!asscs, get little reei 'lii ,e TO- M
months, and after that are TO oe hcPl up - "e
tar allowed ON any thing but the wearers oil SILKS aha
the drinkers of wine, and the manufacturer OF wool
and leather obtained relief years ago, and largely oy
m ;,nmsdn,e exemption from all duty several art
cles in several cases, and from high one, IN most
other cases, important TO their interests.
The operation of the Tariff, IN these respects, pro-
nosed at this very session, is also similar in ITS policy
So far from introducing any reeito the agrcuturis's
by the twelve fourteen millions worth oil artcies
left free or at low duty, keeps up the highest i
post the iron, which aids to plough every acre-.ne
highest on the salt of every tabe-the highest on the
sugar and molasses used daily by the poorest-and as
if not content with these unequal burdens, imposes
new and great taxes also the tea and coffee OF every
log cabin as we'll as every palace IN the land.
But while doing this what does It leave Tree: hides
to the extent of millions imports year. so as to ard
the leather manufacturers az the expense OF the farm
ers whose herds of cattle every hill SIDE ad-
init, Sir the manufacturers OF leather, IN some few
States exceed in value all their extensive cottons or
woollens iron or fisheries. Their owners are an i'm
portant and mertorious class, but what are they III
importance numbers, to the agirculturlsts, who ex
ist so abundantly in every State of the Union. Yet
the former directly and indirectly TO be protected
by leaving hides Free while the former is 20 De unpro-
tected and much that he raises left open TO be cheap
ened to the lowest prices possible and all that he
heavily and extensively, TO be taxed as hsh as
the greatest luxury.
His COARSE woods are treated in the same manner
in the proposed tariff AL first protected BY the project
of the Secretary of the Treasury, they were obliged
at last to kick the beam at the command or in!la-
ence Of the manufacturers; and immense quantities oi
them undervulued and really competing with great
portions of what raised in this country are yearly TO
be introduced Free at the virtual expense OF the
ed farmer and for the benefit of the favored manufac.
turer.
pass over several other articles, such as flax seed,
made free also But, among the other bcased articles
left free under the proposed SYSTEM several BESIDE
these are made SO exclusively for the advantage OF the
manufacturer. Such are dye woods chemical dyes OF
various descriptions Not content with high duties tor
his aid alone many Of the low ones, and the free art-
ces, are made also for his aid.
Without going into a further analysis of this topic
present u
at the expense Of the consumer, by having not only
nominal protection of % per cent. on manufactured
articles competing with his industry, but home va
luation Of the foreign article thus virtually raising he
duty from 20 TO % 81 per cent according TO
the views of of the friends of the measure Tins
real addition to % 30 per cent under the new sys
tem which will be in force in cl2 has got TO be paid
by the consumer the greatest necessities OF HE,
though soaced with the dclusive hope that the highest
duty he is paying will be only 20 per cent, .,,
Finally, Sir, the manufacturer gets protection sun
beyond all this, and equal he calculates, to or lo
per cent more by the cash duties that will then he ex-
acted instead of credits This lie gets too, from the
consumer, and puts in his own pocket, without DOL
lar of it going directly, as in the home valuation, into
the public Treasury, and adding something in tina, way
10 the public revenue Some benefit may be obtained
b. the Government in security against losses BY the
failure of indebted merchants under the credit system,
but not dollar in revenue, nomne, though the agri
cultural consumer will be obliged 10 pay or 10 per
cent more, for the benefit OF the manufacturer, so
highly otherwise privileged.
twill thus be seen, whether we look to the existing
tariff to the proposed one, 10 the ameEdne Mt oere
by the Senator from Georgia, Mr. Berren, or to the
Limitation of contemplated by the Senator from Fir-
ginia fMr. Rives that If he admits any exception, the
agrcul,urist and the consumer will be constantly sd
crifced TO the manufacturer: and this just much
when duties lowered, If only on his material
as when they raised on his rival manufactured ar
Gle II will further be that the tendency i. not the
ther open or covert, tax heavier the aDd
the middling classes-the great masses, whose wants
should be cheaply supplied as possible-and TO aug
still the privileges of the privileged and the
gains Of the rich. How much more will this be the
case if we vote for the original amendments / con
ure, them the planting and farming interest to rouse
If they do make stand in a iihe this, VIII
be vain to attempt IT any future occasion.
After some further remarks by hessrs. RlVES
KING, and BERRlEN, the latter declined accepting
the modification.
Mr. RIVES then submitted his proposition as an
amendment to that offered by the Senator from Geor
gia.
The question then taken on The amendment o.
Mr.. Rves, and it negatved-ayes 20, noes "a, as
follows
ma Fulton Henderson, King Linn, NcRober,s, Mouon Pres
ton, Rve,, Sewer, Sturgeon Tappan Walker, Woodbury.
ays-Messr Barrow, Bates Bayard, Berren Choaie Clay
Kentucky Clayton D,son Evans Gpa in,ins'Gn Kerr
Summons, Smith Of Indiana, Tainadge White, and Wood
Mr. RIvES then declared his intention of voting
against the amendment
Mr.. CALHOUN said the principle Of average dutie.
was Interpretation of the compromise act.
Mr.. BENTON rose to say that the day when the
Distribution bill passes, the compromise dies.
MIR. WALKER would be glad 10 have been able 10
have voted for this amendment, but the rejection {,
the amendment of the Senator from Virginia. in his
opinion made it worse than useless in keeping up the
appearance of restriction while, in fact, there
restriction at all He should, therefore, vote agans
the amendment
The question then recurring the amendment o
Mr.. Berrien,
Mr.. MOREHEAD moved an adjournment.
Much laughter, and cries Of "Oh oh another
caucus necessary."1
The yeas and nays called for, and the adjourn
ment carried-ayes 25 noes IA.
And the Senate adjourned.
Wednesday's Proceedings.
SENATE.
Mr.. King called the attention of the Senate 10 thu
very unusual formation Of the Select Committee ap
pointed by the Chair on the bill creating Fiscal Cor
poraton. That committee, contrary to the unvarec
practice Of the Senate, composed exclusively o.
the members of one political party. To correct th:
proceeding, Mr.. King moved TO add to the committee