The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-15
THE TARIFF.

A proper tariff, or rate Of duties upon importa-
tions has been the subject Of discussion for years
by our greatest most wise and learned statesmen.
Speech after speech has been eloquently and orcibly
made in both the Senate and House Of Representa-
tves of the nation by the greatest and legs
lators that our country has given birth to. And yet
this question remains unsettled; but we ardently
hope and have faith to believe, that there are now
those at the helm Of state who will effect this long
desired object. permanent system of dutics-one
that will operate fairly upon all classes of labor and
production-is the most difficult and laborious duty
the present administration has to perform. This
can only be done in the manner in which Secretary
Walker is now proceeding He is indusriously
engaged in seeking out all the information that he
can procure from all branches Of labor and indus
try, in order lay before Congress- at it's next ses-
son all the data that be brought together in
lation thereto. But notwithstanding this, the wing
prints continue to abuse, misrepresent, and throw
every obstacle that they possibly can in his way;
and among these odous, envious sheets, stands
prominent, in Delaware, the Journal. We have 30
often shown the and absurdities of this paper
on this subject, that feel almost inclined to pass
il by unnouced; for it is evident it has but mere
share Of the confidence of its own party. In its
last, it msrepresents us, and charges us with being
opposed to the mechanics and laboring portion Of
the community. Was ever anything more alb
surdi We are mcchancs--sswe earn our bread
by the sweat of our face" and have done 90 since
our very boyhood and, therefore, are not likely to
oppose those who do likewise. We extend to me.
chanics whatever protection their various branches
require, and for this very purpose do wish to
the high rates that are now filing the Golfers of the
manufacturers, at the farmers and mechanics ex-
pense, reduced The Journal cites the articles OF
ready-made clothing hats, boots, and shoes, &c.
Now, If any of these branches would suffer by
ducon of the duties on the manufactured article OF
their particular branches we would say, let the rates
which now protect them remain. But what are the
factsi Take the article of rcady-made clothing for
instance, which the Journal says would he intro
duced into country, and thus operate against
own taiors. WE'LL to show the effect of this pro-
lection to the tailors, we must compare the amount
of clothing, ready made, that is imported under the
present law, with the amount imported under the
low duties in 1642, before the present law went into
operation. And what do we find to be the results
Why, in l842, there was $28, 3l2 worth of ready
made clothing imported, while in 1874 we find the
amount of readymade clothing imported to be $780,
209 worth. Under a low tariff, the taors have
hardly any ready-made clothing imported to COM
pete against, and under the high tariff they have
nearly million of dollars worth! This 10 the pro-
onihey receive.
This is owing to the fact that the tariff has sc
much enhanced the price of the cloth on which tbs
tailors work. that il is cheaper to import clothing
readymade, and pay so per cent. duty, than to pur
chase either American or English cloth, and have j
made in America. The consequence is, that the
tailors and seamsresses engaged in making clothes
in this country, are ground to the DUST and hardly
can earn enough to keep soul and body together
These are the blessed results Of the tariff of l842.
Deiacare Gazette