Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-04-25

the iaci; what says experience! All expert
ence proves that this objection has no existence,
save in the imaglnalions OF those who make it,.
Now, sir, lay it dswn as general propo-
si,ion. thai there never was high protective
duly imposed upon any article, from the foun-
dauon of this Government 10 the present day,
the price of which has no, been in the end re-.
ducedgrea'ly reduced--in many instances 10
eRe-half third and one-fourih of wha, il
had been before these protective duties were
imposed. This, sir, may seem to gentlemen
on the other side 10 be strong declaration !;
but, sir, make i, deliberately, with full con-
vio,ion of Its truth, and challenge gentlemen
to disprove it'll defy them to point on, SIN
gle instance ts the contrary. Let them exam
inc, and they will find invariably that whenever
the duties have been highest, the prices have
ultimately come down the lowest, and for We
ry obvious reason-- his h duties promote compe
ton, and competition never fails to bring down
prices. This effect is invarabe and universal;
but unfortunatelythe duties always run up as the
prices run down; hence the frightfu lists of du-
lies exhibited by the Committee Of Ways and
Means amounting 10 200, 300, and 400 per ci.
When frs, imposed these duties were bul 80
or 40 per cent; but now, owing to he reduc
ton Of prices, they have run up TO 200 or 800
per cent. BY way of illustration take the ari-
Gle of glass, on which duty of 81 box was
imposed al time when glass cost $l2; this
was then duty Of 33 per cent, but now when
home competition, induced by this protective du-
ty, has Brought down the price TO SO box, the
duty. owing to this reduction Of price, is 200
per cent, instead of 33; The same is true of ma
nv other articles on which the duty, when i'm.
posed, did not exceed 90 or 80 per cent, but
now, owing to reduction of price produced by
home competition, they amount 10 2 or 300 per
cent When four cents per pound duty was
pu, on Gu, nails, the price was twelve cents per
pound, and this duty, of course was 80 per CT;
but now, when the effect Of this protective duty
has been 10 reduce the price of nails from IL
TO cents per pound, the duty is increased to
100 per cent; this is equally true Of spikes, rods,
wood screws, &c. AGain.-- 'shi eenis ward
- IL -, coarse c0iions when Imported
at 90 cents, puing uuty OF 40 per cent. but
now, when the price has come down to cents
per yard, the duty goes up 10 l60 per cent.
Sir could 90 on and enumerate moro than
twenty such instances where the duties, though
moderate when imposed. now actually exceed
the price of the article; yet we are told that IN
all cases the duty is added TO the price, and
paid by The consumer! That is, that the con-
sumer paws 81 box duty on glass tha, he buys
for So; cents a pound on nails that ne buys
for 3; and cents yard on coarse cotton goods
that he buvs for 5. Such are the absurditles
into which these stale ani-tar!f theories involve
their votaries; but suppose what they alledge
were true in point of fact, and that the duty Is
really added to the price, the cos. OF cotton
goods being 20 when the duty of cents was
imposed, add the duty, the price would be, ol
course. 2S cents a yard, and ths duty only 2S
per cent. instead of l60 as stated by the con-
mitiee; hence, if you raise the price fve iold,
then the duty is quite reasonable, and there
will he no objection whatever to Its payment.
LIE, the manufacturer, then run up his price
from 5 to 25 cents yard, and he at oEce 81
lsnces all The objections OF the Commlltee oil
WAYS and Means, as this would fix the duty al
80 per cent, JUS, what they want IT, But sup
pose The manufacturer were to reduce his price
to one cen. yard, then The duty being cents,
would be 500 per cent Horrid oppression
who would submit, to pay duty Of 500 per ci!
Who could then refuse TO 90 with tho Commit
lee on Ways and Means for reducing such en-
ormous duties!
ABsURplTIEs OF THE REPORT.
Bu, the Committee of Ways and Means say
tha, the object of this bill is 10 increase the rev.
snue by reducing the duties; yet, in The very
same paragraph, they say, that should the rev.
enue be found redundant, TO avoid the horrid
evils of deposi,es or distribution among the
States, The duties should be instantly re duced
so as 10 reduce The revenue TO the wants Of the
Government; a, this time, the committee say,
there is no, revenue enough. and they propose
to increase il by reducing the duties; bu. should
it turn out that there is TOO much, then they say
reduce i, by reducing the duties. Thus re-
duclion of duties is alike e1ectual with the
Committee for reduction or for an increase OF
revenue. Excellent disciples of DR.. Sangrado,
who had bul one remedy for all diseases,
"ble sdins and warm water" How such pal
pahle contradiction is to be resonciled or ex- @
planned am at loss 10 conjecture -
The committee proceed next TO say lfsrNHs
the true policy of every interest IN the country,
excep, manufacturers, TO advocate the proposed
reduction Of duties, and they especially name
agriculture Now, sir, in my opinion the re-