American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-21


ly thrilling account of the shipwreck of the
Alabama; Horrors of transportation, also pos
sessing thrilling interest; trial of Bishop On
derdonk; news from Mexico; correspondence,
editorials, and all the items of news of the
week, of every description, besides much other
matter Of great interest. sC59A paper like
chs, let it be remembered, is furnished every
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single copy.
The TARIFF-IRoN INTEREST. The ques-
ton Of renting the duty in certain cases, on
rail road iron, gave rise to considerable debate
in the house Of representatives, and elected
some facts in relation to the operation of the
tariff, which are worth preserving for future
reference. The adversarics of protective
tariff have contcnded, that the duty imposed
invariably enhances the price of the
article to the consumer, and is a tax levied upon
him for the benefit of the manufacturer. This
argument was pressed upon the people, and
particularly upon the agricuturists of the coun-
try, with great piausbty and effect during the
past summor-and many persons were conse-
quonty induced to believe, that protection was
but another name for robbery. In the debate to
which we have alluded above, Mr.. Foster, a
democratic member Of the house from Pennsyl-
vania, said:
''But the gentleman from South Carolina
MIR. Holiness had reminded the opponents OF
the bill that there had been time previous to
the enactment of the existing tariff when rail-
road iron was imported free of duty. Very
true; for ten years previous to lS4l the article
had been free. And why? Because none of it
was then made within the United States. At
that day no capital had been invested in this
branch of home industry. But did the gentle
men remember to forget to tell the House, also,
that twelve dollars more per ton was then paid,
while railroad iron was free of all duty and for
eigners had the undisputcd demand of the mar
ket, than was its price now under u duty of
S25! At that time there was no competition;
and then the people of Pennsy lvania had to pay
$50 ton for what they needed. Now it could
be produced for S29, in addition TO the duty OF
S25, and was iii the market at 500 the ton"
1t thus appears that from the competition be-
tween the foreign and domestic manufacturer
of iron, the article can now be furnished to the
consumer at ten or twelve dollars per ton less
than whenit was admitted free Of duty: and yet
the tariff which has produced this result, is de-
nounced as unjust and oppressive, and disco
luton of the union is threatened if duties be not
reduced down to the revenue standard The
advocates of reduction claim, that the voice of
the people has decided i'll their favor, and that
the national legislature is bound to carry this
decision into effect The result of the presiden-
tial election sustains the pretension, and gives
strength to the argument for reduction: but we
doubt whether the voice Of the people will be
carried into effect New York and Pennsylva-
mia cast their electoral votes on the side of re-
ducton; but the very representatives from these
states, who reioiced at the result, now array
themselves in favor of maintaining the present
tariff. This is strange condition Of things,
and exhibits inconsistency. There was no point
of difference between the two candidates more
clearly defined or better understood, during the
recent presidential contest, than that respecting
the tariff On the one hand a protective tariff;
on the other Il revenue tariff-wcrc openly and
unequivocally avowed; and on this issue the
people voted. 1t is therefore in vain for menu
bers of Congress to urge i'll favor of continuing
the present tariff, that the subject was not pro-
perly understood by the people, or decided by
their votes.
Mr.. Foster thinks that the proposed remis-
sion of duty on rail road iron, would be highly
injurious to the interests of Pennsylvania
No doubt it would-but this fact is not new to
Mr.. F., and yet he cast a vote which he must
have been morally certain would produce this
very result, and he should not therefore COM
compelled to swallow little of the medicine
which he has helped to mix for Others. We
like to see a manly, honest and straightforward
course pursued by politicians and when they
take different track tits right that they should
suffer.
We have uniformly sustained the protective
policy; and conscentiously believe, that it can
not be abandoned without producing the most
ruinous effects. But we are republicans-de
mouats of the old school-and submissively
bow to the will of the majority. That MAORI
ty has decided in favor of reducing the tariff TO
the revenue standard; and the friends of that
policy hold sufficient sontrod in the national