Litchfield enquirer., 1842-03-24

nv. EGitJr--T TIE 2cughkeepsis TsIsk p Ass ,A.s
following excellent communication on the subject O
Free Trade. Although addressed more particularly
to the farmers Of Duchess county, il 10 not irnpp"
cable those Of Etch6ed. For the purpose OF home
illustration, have taken the wooden mandatory at
Wolcovlie, in this county; the capital OF the CONF
pnny is about $4,000; have access TO It's books
and adopt, the basis Of my calculations. the aPpa-
renly accurate data ofthe POuehkeepsie writer. OF
course it is not supposed the expenditures in different
manufactures or the value Of land and produce IN
different counties, bear each other absolutely
exact ratio; sufficiently near however for all purpo-
ses of illustration. The computations appended.
FREE TRADE,
Vcrsus--Protectio" to the Industry Of country.
To Farmers-Particularly the TURNER'S Of Dutchess'
county.
So far as can perceive a resident Of the coun-
w. there appears a general Indifference among the
farming interest concerning the necessity OF FRO.
tective Tariff, sustain the manufacturing labor OF
the country denominaed protection TO manntac:
lures; as if they class to be mainly benehed
by such an act and in which you were not interest.
ed. To illustrate the subject by plain statement Of
practical facts, that you and all others may see II
they will take the trouble To read, propose giving
detailed statement ofhe consumption OF the products
Of agriculture by WOODEN factory m this county ana
of the great disparity in amount OF investment be.
tween Agricultural and manufacturing capital, that
you may form a correct judgment as TO the necessity
of Protective Tariff that branch OF nufa cture,
and whether ia the manufacturer or the farmer that
has most of pecnniary interest at stake.
The duty on wool for the past IS years has aver
aged about 4s per cent which has tor some years
wool of quality that came in competition with A.
merican wool, the price Of wool in Europe being from
Is to 50 per cent below ours but not low
import and pay duties, freight and other charges,
and leave saving or COST consequently little or none
has been imported.
The duty wooden goods, as laid by the tariff du'
ring the time, has averaged about IS per cent;
but not Overtwothrds of that duty, during the great
er portion Of that time. has ever been collected ow-
ing to fraudulent entries at the custom houses The
importation OF woolens being mainly IN the hands Of
foreigners, the result has been that the woolen man"
ntacorles have in many instances become bankrupt.
Those that have sustained themselves have realized
so small profit on their capital, that 1t would not
pay the and tear and depreciation Of their es-
tablish ments The duty on wooden goods is now re.
duced to 20 per cent, and on the 30lh on June next
further reduction takes place. reducing the duty to 70
per cent How is it possible If under duty OF -
per the nuacturers have heen only partial
ly protected that they have not made sufficient
profit to make good the wear and tear and deprecla-
ton of their establishments, that they can sustain
themselves under duty of t,Denty per cent?
l prophesy, and time will prove whether am
ed above 20 per cent there will not he one WOODEN
manufactury in twenty in operation on the first OF
January ls43: The surplus productions of European
workshops will be poured in upon us under the 2OpeE
cent duty. Foreigners have wool and many other
materials 90 per cent cheaper than have--labor
at least IS per cent cheaper than here-and their
home market secured 10 :hem by prohibtory duties.
That you. the wool and grain growers OF the north
and west, may have data on which TO make up your
minds who is the party-the farmer or manufacturer
most interested in protective tariff, | will give a
detailed statement OF the operations OF one OF Your
most important customers, your own doors. demon.
mated wooen mandatory. in the town Of Fishkill:
The G!enhan company have capital OF $4,000,
consisting mainly OF few acres OF land. machinery,
water power and dwelling houses for the operatives
their sole business is the manufacturing of WOOL into
broadcoths, cassmeres, &c. They give constant
daily employment to ITO persons. men, women and
children. The pas. year, ls4l, they used in their
manafaciory,
$4,000 lbs. Of American fleece wool, which
cost S73.SO0
250 ua Him. ol;va Ill Iop ,,l;ch tho 1over0.