Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1842-05-28

And from al other countries (Citna except
ed) the proportion in favor Of foreign inpor.
tations upon forelg n account, 10 the same rs
those from France. viz eightysthrse per cent
The imports during the
year 1910, which were less
than any year since 1882,
amounted to Stn1,Ii1,5lD
or THE amount 50 per ct.
came Ia free, or 57,lo6, 2O6
Leaving a balance paying
duty Of aa0,945,3I5
1t is estimated that two
thirds Of the whole revenue
from the Customs is collect
cd in the port Of New York.
II 30, the amount Of imports
would be. 800, 29G,s76
Upon which forsign inter-
ssta are subjected TO a duty
| upon 42t,54i ,O22 So
And American H,s7O,Dl3 a
But the foreign imports,
free of duty, e42,325. $50 05
And the American, Id,s70,9t3 ID
The aggregate in favor Of foreign interests
10 as serenity fur per cent. to fventy-eir.
Your committee are aware that the mcrcan.
tile and trading community Of the city OF New
York have been charged with overtradine, and
running themselves and the country in debt
by excessive iinportations and inordinate
speculations. But the fact that these impor-
tations are i'll the hands OF and controlled by
foreigners. representing foreign interests. To-
Gated in the city for this very purpose, has
not been so well understood, and through
whom, and by whom, the market il inundated
with foreign goods, in which they are princi-
pally facilitated by the mode of sale by auc-
ton, while from tho peculiar character of our
commercial regulations aud the absence Of
l~udicious discrimination, the singular anoma-
fy 10 presented of our own citizens being
driven out of a most important branch of
business by the superior advantages extended
10 those Of foreign governments"
The report goes on to expose the eystem
by which foreigners monopolizs the trade
and defraud tho government remaining at
the same time aliens, thus enjoying privileges
which citizens Of New York do not enjoy.
We regret that our limits are too restricted
for the publication of this report entire 30
clear are its expositions, 20 natural and true
it's deductions. 1t is made evident that 70
reign competition is crushing American indus
try. How BY Under ,oorhing IT, an end
easily accomplished in countries where labor
is 50 cheap as in Europe. But dishonest as
well 40 honest means are used to accomplish
this purpose. Goods bought abroad by To-
reign importers are marked below their actual
cost, and thus the government 10 defrauded Of
a portion of its ad ralorem duties. The fol-
lowing extract will show how foreigners ma
mage to get our trade into their hands:
"A manufacturer in England, makes, for
example, goods to The amount of $500 900, and
sells Of this amount to supply the foreign and
home demand 100000 at a profit of ten per
cent; his profits are consequently in his sur
plus stock, or $4,000 remaining. II would
be far better for him to burn these goods than
! to force a sale at a deprecated price at home.
He therefore sends them to oar ularket, to be
forced on us through the medium Of the auc-
lions, and, by a parity Of reasoning probably
calculates, that our dealers here will not per-
nit them to be sold at such sacrifices as will
interfere with their trade. But at all events
he is the gamer, even if the goods are sold at
less than half price, or at any price short Of a
total loss. In this operation too, with the gc-
| lei dl ldAlty u i IN aio IL ISSpIIt ~ df of2IIA
the payment of duties, he i~ustifes himself IN
invoicing these goods far below the cost OF
manufacture the shipping freight and other
expenses are also to be taken into account,
and hence the cost as sput down in his invoi-
ces to be passed through the Custom House,
will be far below any price at which they
could be purchased at the place of manufac-
ture. For this reason if there were none 9th.
ers of equal weight, it is just that the injury
and wrong inflicted upon the American i'm.
porter and dealef,And the loss of revenue,
should be met by a duty upon the only medi.
UNI through which these foreigners are thus
enabled 10 operate so i~njuriously upon the in
terests of our own manufacturers and upon
all fair ana legitimate trade, which it is the
duty of our government to protect"
Again:
"Time was when a large and respectable
number of our w citizens were engaged III
the importation of French goods. Now there
are but fine American houses engaged to any
extent IN the trade all the rest, numbering
some three or four hundred, including Swiss
and German, are foreigners. Competition il
out of the question, since these goods are in
voiced at prices far below those st which they
can be purchased for cash at the place of ma
nufacture or expectation. Instances are Q
daily occurrence where attempts to pass then
through our CustoIn-hougs are made, ans
though not in all cases successful, yet there
is no doubt existing that the fraud, as a gene
raj thing, is more OF less perpetrated. Nov
whether the manufacturer invoices his good.
at the actual cost of manufacture, withou
profits, or far below the real value or price a
} which he would dispose Of them to purchaser
J AZ home. the result ia the same 10 The homes
; importer and to the revenue since, in tn
: fret instance, he drives the honest inporte
= out of the business, and is thereby ana
bled 10 shut ont the proof or knowledge wkic
the latter can alone furnish the appraisers c
a tie eqst Of TIE articles purchased by thsg
- - - -. ~----~w ------ 1890