Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-02-14
PROTECTION
no AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE AND
MANUFACTURES.
MECHANICS NEED PROTECTION.

MECHANICS NEED PROTECTION.
UG-At n meeting of Mechanics in the City of
New York, held on the 18th Of December, 1874 |,
assembled 10 inquire concerning the cause of the
scarcity of money SO frequently experienced by
them, the following Preamble and Petition were
unanimously adopted as expressive of their
views, 10 De forwarded to Congress, asking the
constitutional aid of that Honorable body.
In recommending the subject to the considera-
non OF our fellow citizens, we would remark that
our views of the past and the present are taken
by.the light of experience, which, to the rational
man OF observation, is unquestionnby clear, per-
suasive and exciting. II is National subject; il
is for the interest and honor of every citizen and
all are asked to weigh it calmly, and give i, their
support understandings.
FRANCIS KENNEDY Secretary.
To the Honorale The Senate and House of RepYe-
sentdiires Of The u S. in Congress assembled:
May it please your Honorable Body
We the undersigned, citizens OF the United
States, suffering greatly from scarcity of emplov-
ment and consequent, unequilabe prices md wa
ges for what we get to do, and thus putting il out
of our power, while these circumstances contin.
ne, to provide comfortably for ourselves and fam
lilies; and having in years past frequently suffer
ed from these evils, which we believe have been
and are now general and being of opinion that
they should not exist, and that it is in our power
us u D6ODl0 10 TeInOV6 Ulenls we TeSDecttullV
submit for your consideration our views as TO the
primary cause of the before mentioned evil, and
the manner OF its operation. They are as fol-
lows:
Chiefly, the importation Of foreign goods That
the people of these States have been outwitted
by foreigners in the purchase of their manufac-
lures that we have in fact paid more for them
than if we had made them ourselves; the maui
facturers and mechanics living in foreign coun-
tries cannot reciprocate with us, the laws of their
respective Governments not permitting them /;
thar foreign trade under these circumstances is n
national loss; that it has created on an average n
balance against this country of many millions n
year; that the quantity OF European goods pur-
chased for one million of dollars would employ
five thousand four hundred and seventy men nil
the year round to manufacture them, as appears
frem the following statement:
Cost OF materials used in manufacture $4,000
Five thousand four hundred and fifty
five mechanics, at s. SO each per day s5O9sO
ffteen employers at five thousand each $4,000
Rent for warehouse offices, lighting,
heating, hostages, etc 24020
Therefore, for every million of balance there
is against this country, five thousand four hundred
and seventy men are deprvad of employment
and the money that ought to have passed through
their hands into the pockets of the landlord, the
merchant and the farmer, has all gone to Eu.
rope.
That this fully accounts for the scarcity Of work
and scarcity of money in this country
That by excluding the manufactures of other
countries we secure the following benefits:
First That, instead of the manufactured goods.
we shall have the manufacturers and the nechan-
les, bringing along with them their skill in manu-
features, besides their gold and silver; they will
Use the produce of our farms; they will act in
terchaDgeaby with us and in time of war they
will strengthen our arm OF defence; in short, that
they will be every inch Americans.
Second, Abundance Of freight for our canals
and railroads.
Third, An increasing sale Of the Public Lands
Fourth, home market for every thing
whether useful or ornamental.
Fifth, Constant employment 10 all, and labor
receive its just reward, that the young may mar.
ny together with safety, and the married provide
comfortably for themselves and families without
getting into debt.
Sixth, just apportionment of the several in.
teres,s is requisite to make us independent.
Therefore, we petition your Honorable Body
by an act SO to increase the duties upon imported
goods speedily TO exclude the manufactures o
other countries, according to your wisdom.