The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-21
Meet,na or the American institute.

Meeting OF the American Institute.
At the last meeting of this body, the subject ia,
ken up for discussion was, Whether the United
States can and should manufacture It's own railroad
non"
Mr.. CHAHDLER, the Vice President OF the Asso-
ciahon, took the Chair, and Mr.. MEIGs was ap-
pointed Secretary.
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by lnvl-
ting all to take part ia the discussion, and he
hoped no hesitation would be evinced, because
as their principal aim was to elicit facts through
an intimate interchange OF opinion, they did not
attend so much TO rhetoric as was usual in the de-
alterations OF public bodies.
Mr. SMITH took review Of the proceedings of the In
stute at its previous session. He had gone that
sion prepared to give to the question the
gative but his convictions altered and he would
state few of the reasons which made that change Mr.
after dwelling the importance of manufacturing
iron for founded financial considerations
stating that the railways being made or in contemplation
would require iron to the amount Of thirty millions of dol
larsnex proceeded to that from the facilities Of
this countryside abundance Of oretha they were able
produce q better article for the price than Eng
land 1t data to upon the minimum price Of
the foreign article. The English manufacturers said
did not pay hem and from all he could learn II they had
paying price, would stand her fifty than thirty
dollars per ton He for protecting duty; although
cried out that iron requisite to finish and go
on with our railways should be admitted tree, he was
certain they once begun right to make iron for them
selves the supply would be fully equal to the demand
Mr. OAKLEY was not there, he said at the last meeting
but understood that much information thrown upon
the enquiry But he understood that there some
statements which little problematical gentle
man had stated for instance iron could be produced
here for s25 per ten but he did not hesitate say that
was absurd. and the course alluded to by the gentleman
would be successful in attempt to produce iron
at this price He thought that such statements going
abroad injurious because they gave rise to expecta
tons not to be realized As to the enqurywhether the
people Of the United States make their iron
that was no more than to ask they Ingenious
tated in the Of Wales and the forges Of STAT
ordshire That did not require an answer-the difficulty
was elsewhere. He looked upon irs as an embodiment
of labor in its process IRON inning end II ton of
iron cost $50. $50 OF that would be labor Now, by
paying about shillings sterling in wages whilst here
the same would cost $33. This must make iron dear
here The abundance Of capital in England also gave
them an advantage over this country where money was
dearer Money could be hired in England for the halt Of
its price hee therefore the difference OF interest was an
important item. Another obstacle was that as it
did not do to have iron manufactures in these vi
entities, but in the interior, where limestone and nine
rails abound few men would be found willing to Sc.
clude themselves and their 10000 dollars for this
purpose, and would be well to remember that in no bu
sness did success much depend upon personal
many places in this country where ton of iron could be
produced with less labor than in Wales but that labor
progressing in an acquaintance with the iron well
other manufactures There not only not diff
culties in making railroad ron but there were less than
in making other kinds Of iron. There other kinds
made here difficult. 1t want of encouragement
and protection which kept them back and nothing else
Mr. BLOOMFIELD took different view Of the question:
1t was not whetherw could make iron, but whether
would be policy do He did not think consider
ing the value Of capital that iron and coal rarely
conguons-the expense Of the transport of coal-the
dearness Of labor and the Importance Of furthering the
railways now making or to be made that it would he wise
to put pIohibtory duty. He friend to railways
and he did not want them to be ia fla for want of IRON
There mine in this country adequate to supply
iron enough He did not find fault with the protective
duty much the uncertainty OF the work 1t might
be wise to pat duty other kinds Of iron and
question of policy and although pleased with the informa
ton he had received he must hold to his viows-tha
50 long as they could get iron for $40 per ton they had
pointed out the importance Of railways in of war;
and said he did not think it safe to exclude foreign iron
until such times they could make it themselves.
The CHAIRMAN called atentionl to the very important
view taken of the question by MIR Oakley and which he
thought the essence of it, namely that hitherto
the United has not manufactured Railroad Iron it
for the want Of protection There could be found
plenty of resronsible men who would Tomorrow take
contract to supply any quantity ofron as cheap as can
commotion of incidental kind here took place. by
gentleman finding some objection to the protection
tenn on a statement made at former meeting but Mr.
Waeman set him rghn observing that the remark had
referred to particular case and was not OF general appi
cation.
Mr. SIMPSON made very sensible observ atoms in
to the free admission Of IRON He showed that the
effect Of 1t would be to promote any competition with
England who having the market to herself would follow
up her policy and sell them dear she could -
that nothing could give her pleasure than annha
ting American manufactures He thought it a shallow
policy which only attended to the production OF things
cheap That was the policy of Euopemstarving Enc
country 1t would be wiser and more glorious for them
The laborer having fair compensation for his labor
(,
duties OF good citizen lie thought if protection we're
given to native Iron, there would grow up confidence;
more than enough for their wants would be produced
lie did not think that railways of such paramount
Importance that they should have the preference OF other
interests The nation more in 1ebed to Canals than
Railways He conceded the point that although he liked
high wages all spent in the country yet might
be high in but the very best plan to lower
it would be to make the manufacture permanent uniform
stable and emigration would pour in her thousands to do
| all the work
MIR. MEos took up the question OF labor A gentleman
thought that he could get man in Wales to work for
shilling day but would he come herel if he would, he
would open the way Cor him. would be found however,
hat when the Wechman came here he would want dol
| lar Every should work here-no time for idling,
than what requisite to recruit the body and II
did here as they do in Wales Gas was stated by
gentleman work in the foundres almost naked, mat
ter That did not make him the worsehe was the right
kindof man-one the merchant and the lawyer would
want trouble He gloried in such men Talk about
shilling day for that man He longed to see the day
when every living by his strength would get twenty
shngs per day When that day this country would
before all the world it was only before them be
while here he could get dollar They starved. In
| China man would work for three cents day
but one citizen of America would drive half dozen be
| fore him When the iron made here they
should recollect who got the money and who had hs
man. that far better. He prepared to go any
length for the protection ofhe article which affords work
much consequence to silks wines and other such things
he would leave them to Europe The French paid them
high compliment they had more railways than all Eu
rope put together They were sending cotton goods
Manchester and their commodities going in carg0e
70 China. American enterprise was capable OF anything
and the they began in Congress to protect it the
better. Npplause)
| Mr. OAKLEY then addressed the meeting in abb,
speech in favor Of protection, and the meeting shortly
| after adjourned
{r3- A BEAUTIFUL SET OF TEETH MAY BE
preserved; dscoored set may be restored to pearly