Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-04-25
THE "FlIR PROP0SITION.p-No. 9.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.


At the close of our preliminary notice of som,
historical facts connected with this subject. ~,
ins'na'eo our purpose to trace the history of In,
power over imposts through the Convention, ant
10 explain the various notifications which it re-
>ceiYed IN that body. Bot upon running our ey,
y1rongh The Madison Papers," which we pre-
sume may be regarded as the most full aud au
tlieniic account Of its proceedings, we have found
so iii'io having direct bearing the subject. ia
inc 'gn' IN which we propose to consider 1t; thai
we nave concluded TO abandon our original pur.
pose, ana merely refer those who are curious in
REGARD 10 me various propositions which were
submitted in the Convention to Mr.. Maidstone
work. With this explanation, we proceed al
once to the consideration of the history of the
Tariff Question.
Although, as we have stated in one of our
nuinf-rs ON the Bank Question, our present 60
vern'neat dates. its existence from the 9TH OF
March, 1889, the Legislative branch of il was
not REGULARLY organized until the sth of Aprl fol-
towing. This delay was produced by the failure
OF members oil Congress TO attend The Seat of
government, and 1t was not until those who were
present, had addressed very urgent circular let
Ter 10 The absentees, that they were induced TO
come forward III sufficient numbers to constitute a
quorum OF the two Houses. On the LIST of April
The requisite number were present, and on the 9th
The oaihs OF office were administered TO the mem
bers. immediately after that ceremony had been
performed, the House resolved itself into a Com
m'ttee OF the Whole, and before any other Legis-
latiVe business had been transacted, James Ma
oison arose IN his place, and moved proposition
10 impose taxes on goods imported from abroad.
ms proposition was of temporary character,
ana intended TO provide for duties on merchandise
to be imported that Spring.
On the next day, however, Mr.. Fitzsimmons
OF IA. who had been member of the Conven-
.lon' introduced proposition for a permanent
larh Alter specifying many dutiabe articles.
Mr.. FIizsmnons said 81 have prepared myself
win an additional number, which wish sub
joined TO those already mentioned in the mo-
" lion now on your table. Among these are
" some calculated TO ENCOURAGE THE PRuDuC-
TioNS OF OUR COUNTRY, AND PROTECT
p" FAINT MANUFACTURES" On the Ilth of April,
MIR. Smith of Md presented a petition from the
" radesmen, manufacturers and others of the
Town OF Baltimore" praying Congress "to i'm
poSe on all foreign articles ,Uhich can be made in
.7meT'ca, such duties as tUW GIVE JUST AND DECip-
ED phGFhRENcE TO THEIR LABouRs; diScOuntcnanc-
ing that rade tviich tends SO mQieriailY 10 injure
Mela md amp0Uertsh tie couHry.''
Other petitions were presented, which affirmed
mat our national independence ,Uus bat haf o5-
Mtned whilst we were dependent on Great Bril-
tain Tor our manufactures, and prayed that Con-
gross would take the proper measures 10 render
The nation independent fact, as well as in
name by ADOPTING MEASURES FOR THE ENCouR-
"GEMENT AND PROTECTION OF AMERICAN MANUFAc-
TUREs."
The subject was referred 10 a committee of the
whole house, where it received the most mature
cohsiuefation. Various propositions were sub
united In regard to the pRoTEcTIoN of particular
articles, and animaed discussions ensued, as to
.he policy and extent of the protection to be af-
!oFdet, bu' no man ever limited doubt as to the
cons !si'et, onai power of Congress over the sub
!ec'-Pa 'TEciloN was treated as a substantive OBJ
Jsct, and not as mere incidental to the raising of
revenue. In the course OF the general discussion
of Mr.
dlnot said Let us take the resolution of Con-
" gress IN 1888 as presented by the honorable
" gentleman from Virginia, (Alr. Madison,) and
- make II the basis of our system, ADDING ONLY
I" SUCH PROTECTING DUTIES AS ARE NECESSARY TO
" SUPPORT THE MANUFACTURES ESTABLISHED BY
" THE LEGISLATURES OF THE MANUFACTURING
% STATES. Thus far we can 90 with safety if we
- DO not descend into a minnie enumeration such
articles as re0dily admitted 10 deserve Legis-
4" tdtpe encOard cement we may take into the list
Utegis'er of Debates, old series, vol. LIST. p. I2I.)
In advocating high duty on rum, Mr.. Boud-
not said, :" high duty may also Discourage the
- use of ardent spirits; if not, it may discourage
- the West Indies from turning their moiasses
" INTO rum. This being the case they have no
Z" other market for moasses than this country,
" and our own distileries with the advantages
IS arising thererom will be able 10 riual them in
tie anufacture IF fhe 0riicie.' Or. ID. pl32)
The duty on mOIasses being under considera-
ton, MIR. Madison said, IS The proportion between
" the duty on country rum at eight cents, and
=" West India at twelve cents is considerable
" difference in favor of home made spirits, and
" SUFFICIENT TO ANSWER TIE PURPOSE OF PRO-
- TECTING THE MANUFACTURE" Or. ID. p 1863
Mr. Cymer OF Pa. said, The advocates for
low duty, repeatedly mention this article as n
r0t0 material necessary 10 support considerable
s. manufacture, but do they consider that the con-
" sumption of country ruin is attended with an
" injury to a much more raiuab'e manufacture, the
" raw material for which is furnished by our own
" agriculture and which is Invested Of the perni-
g cious qualities attached to ardent spirits-I
. mean The manufacture Of malt liquors. Or. ID.
1851
In considering the duty on Beer and Porter,
MIR. FilZsimmons said % He THOUGHT THIS MA
NUFAcTURE HIGHLY DESERVING Of ENCOURAGE
MENr''
- would have this duty high as to give a Dr-
- cIDED PREFERENCE TO American Beer; it would
" tend also to ENCOURAGE Agriculture, because
" The malt and hops consumed III the manufacture
- were The produce of our own grounds
Mr.. Sinnckson - declared himself friend to
" tbs manufacture, and thought if the duty was
" laid high enough 10 effect PROHIBITION, the
. manufacture would increase, and Of Consequence,
" the price be Iessened. He considered it of inn
" poHance inasmuch as the materials were pro-
. dnced In the country, and tended TO ADVANCE
- TIE AGRICULTURAL. INTEREST"
MI MduISon " moved to lay an Impost oil :
50 cents on all Beer imported. He did not think
. this sum would give monopoly, but hoped ii
SIS tc9tId DC such encOur0gemenfaS Uoud induce
" Tie manufacture 10 tale deep roOt in eUcry
- Sinic in HE Uni0p''
The duty was accordingly laid at cents in
conformity with Mr.. Madisop's views. or. D.
p 15l-2)
The duty on Candles being before the Commit
tee, Mr. Bondnot said - lie expected they coulc
g be made cheaper than they could DC imported
If SMALL ENCOURAGEMENT WAS HELD OUT BY
" TIE GovERNMgNT.''