The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-02-22

these inquiries 10 do with the question of pro-
fccnon The great question for the considera-
ton OF the Committee of Ways and Means is
mere question of rerenue. 1t is frue this
admits of discrimination between the different
articles ofimportalion but it is discrimina-
ton which has respect 10 the quesiion-wbat
article of importation will best bear taxation,
| and what rates of duties will raise the needed
amount 1t is merely the discrimination con-
templated by the President in that part of his
message in which he SAYS:
SIN imposing duties for the purposes Of
revenue, right TO discriminate az to the
articles on which the duty shall be laid, as well
as the amount, necessarily and most properly
exists. Otherwise, the Government would be
placed IN the condition of having 10 levy the
same duties upon all articles. the productive as
we'll as the unproductive. The slightest duty
upon some, might have the effect of causing
their importation TO cease whereas others,
entering extensively into the consumption of
the country, might bear the heaviest. without
any sensible diminuion in the amount i'm
ported"
| need not say that there must be discrimi-
nation widely different from this. 10 give pro-
lection TO American industry. And yet it is
committee. whose appropriate range Of in.
quiry is thus limited which is constituted for
purposes having no necessary connexion what
ever with protection, that it is proposed TO
commit the great interests referred 10 in that
part of the Presidents message whose COM
mitment is now the subject of discussion. And
with this is to be connected the act of taking
aacay this subject from the committee on Manu-.
tactures-a committee instituted for the very
purpose of considering it.
Hostility 10 the protective policy, and de-
termination to suppress all inquiry into the
claims for its continuance, are too apparent on
the face of this movement to require comment.
If The gentleman from New Hampshire would
avoid this conclusion, let him move an instruc.
lion TO the Committee of Ways and Means 10
tectiue tariff. But, will he do tais No, sir.
He wants no examination with view TO pro-
lection. If he did, he would leave this subject
to go TO its appropriate committee.
There is anather view Of this matter. What.
ever may be the appropriate range Of the duties
of the Committee of Ways and Means though
ii should fairly extend TO this subject, yet that
committee has been formed with no view TO it.
There may be bare majority of the commit.
tee favorable TO protective tariff, though am
not sure of that. There should be a decided
majority of the committee which is TO consider
and report on this subject, favorable 10 the OBJ
ject sought by the numerous petitions for pro-
lection. The great interest Of domestic in
dustry should have favorable hearing. 1t
Should have tie benefit of committee disposed
to present its claims fully and fairly to this
House. This is the spirit of the Par amert ry
law, which requires, in the language of COM
mentators on the Ler Parlimentarid, that the
child shall not be put into the hands of nurse
that will strangle it. | do hot say that the
Committee of Ways and Means would thus
dispose of the great manufacturing and Deepen
dent interests; but do say that, if Ii had been
understood at the commencement of the ses-
sion that this subject would have been referred
TO that committee, it would have been differ
emily constituted. And will now say that, if
this subject is to be committed to it, it ought,
forthwith, 10 be reorgauized.
The Committee on Manufacturers has, very
been formed with view TO this
particular sub ject. 1t is understood TO be com.
posed Of six members in favor of the protecting
system, three against it. This is as il should
be and this is the reason why the gentleman
from New Hampshire wishes TO take this child
from the arms Of its natural guardians, who
will nurse and take care of it, and put it into
The hands of committee, constituted, TO say
the least, with no reference to its claims 10
guardianship and protection.
Under existing circumstances, I consider
he amendment Of the gentleman from New
Ha mpshire, if it prevails, as tantamount to a
declaration on the part of this House that it |
will institute no enquiry into the subiec. of
Observation-Disclosures in fact, 10 abolishIng |
he Committee on Manufactures. For, sir, |
what has that committee 10 do 10 carry out the |
purpose indicated by its name, unless it acts |
With reference to the tariff of duties on i'm.
ports : This has, hitherto, been the mode, and
he only mode, by which protection 10 Ameri-
AN industry has been effected. The CON-
nitee on Manufactures, then, is to be, in effect,
abolished, and all examination, with q distinct
eference 20 the subject of protection, is to be
dispensed with. Aud now let me appeal to
gentlemen on all sides, and of all parties East,
Vest, North. and South-to say whether they
ire prepared TO come to a vote which shall
peak such language as this. The gentle
nan from New Hampshire may be prepared
or it. He may be prepared 10 abolish the
committee, and shut the door against all ex-
mna,ion into the great interests which SO
eeply concern the prosperity % his own, as
hey do that of the "Green Mountain State"
Is this is evidently his object, why does he not
ONE out boldly and avow it 2 Why did he
OF second the motion of the gentleman from
Tirglnia Mr.. Smith to lay the resolution of
eference on the table, with view to adopting
resolution at once 10 abolish the. Committee
n Manufactures But, no he neiher makes
or seconds any such motion. He chooses TO
ct at the result by indirectiOn. If recolect
ghi. sir. that gentleman once Offered q series