Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-31
From the N. Y. Evening Post.
THE TARIFF.

1 An able writer in the Union, in series Oh
essays, has shown the Ubiquitous operation OF
the tariff in all its bearing. His last commu.
nicatlon, however, is particularly forcible, and
contains facts which we have often dwelt up
on, but cannot too frequently be laid before
the people. These demonstrate that the pres
ent tariff discriminates in favor of the manu-
facturer against the producer of the raw ma
terial, and also in favor of the rich against the
middling classes and poor-that 1t taxes labor
and exempts capital, and thus tends to build
up an aristocracy founded upon money and
chartered privileges.
We shall condense into as brief a compass
as possible the array of cases by which these
positions are sustained.
l. The present tariff discriminates in favor
of the manufacturer, against the producer 7of
the raw material, who is the agriculturist.
In the first place. it admits, duty free. or
with very light duties, large class of articles
used in manufactures, while it imposes very
heavy duties on all articles consumed by the
agriculturist, which come in competition with
the articles produced by the manufacturer.
1t admits all berries, nuts, and vegetables !;
and, in dying, all dye-woods in the stick. ba-
rilla, Brazil wood, kelp, lac dye, madden,
madder.root, crude saltpetre, sheIac, sumac,
tumeric, and numerous other articles entering
into manufactures, duty free:S Indigo pays a
specific duty of five cents per pound, which is
equal only to an ad valorem duty of six per
cent. And bleaching powder pays a duty of
one cent per pound.
The articles above enumerated, and many
others, are admitted without any or with very
slight duties, in order TO benefit or ''protect"
the manufacturer. While the agrcnlturists,
and others who purchase them, are taxed on
all articles of manufacture coming in compet
ton with domestic articles of the same kind,
from 30 to 800 per cent.
10 benefit the manufacturer, the low-priced
wool-the only wool which comes in compe-
titon W it'll that raised by the American WOOL
grower-is admitted at five per cent ad valo-
rem. While the farmer who raises Wool has
to pay for the cloth into which it is manufac-
tured. 40 per cent
TO benefit the manufacturer, fax is admit
ted at a specific duty of $50 per ton, which is
equal to per ceEtad valorem; while the con-
sumner is taxed IS per cent on all articles into
which it is manufactured.
Raw hides, which come in competition with
the farmer, are admitted at the trifing duty of
per cent ad valorem; while the sole leather,
into which they are manufactured, pays spc-
cihc duty of cents per pound-equa to an
ad valorem duty, according to the Treasury
returns, of So per cent.
Brstles pay specific duty of l per cent.
equal to per cent ad valorcm while the |
brushes, into which they are manufactured,
pay 80 per cent.
Linseed pays a duty Of only pei cent i: +
while llnseed oil, into which it is manufactu-
red, pays % cents per gaIlon-equaI to 43 per
cent ad valorem.
Rags pay specific duty of IA of cent per
to per cent ad valorem; while
the paper into which they are manufactured,
pays from cents to II cents speciic-eqna
to an ad vaorem duty ranging from l6 to 81
per cent.
2. The present tariff discriminates in favor
OF the rich consumer, against the poor consul
mer-ln other words, 1t imposes the lightest
duty on the articles consumed by the rich,
and the heaviest duty upon those consumed
by the poor; thus cxemp,irg capital, and tax
ing labor.
few examples must suffice. 1t taxes the
rich man but 81 to "a per cent on his fine
Wilton carpet, while it makes the man in mid
die life pay from 46 to 80 per cent on his COM
mon Ingram carpet.
1t taxes the rich woman but 80 per cent on
her fine French muslin dress, while it taxes
the poor woman as high as l60 for her cheap
calico.
1t taxes the rich man only Id cents per yard
on his fine flannel, which costs in England 81
cents, which is equal to duty of 40 per cent
ad valorem; while it taxes the poor man Ia
cents per yard on his coarse flannel, which
cost IN England only IA cents, being equal to
an ad valorem duty Of 100 per cent.
1t taxes the rich silk dress worn by the la
ty of fashion, but 90 per cent; while it taxes
the poor woman for her silk dress, made of
The poorest and cheapest material, AZ per cent.
1t taxes the sad.iron of the poor washerwo-
man from 80 to $50 per cent; the matters and
'allors irons tIom 80 to $50 per cent; the black
smith, ior his anvil and hammer, from SO to
% per cent; and the farmer, for his axes, hoes,
'hoVels, spades and chains, from 80 to ITS per
cent; while it taxes the gold watch of the
1andy but u per cent; diam onds, gems and
canoes, u per cent; and jewelry, generally,
)ut 90 per cent.
OH toolScap writing paper, used by all clas-
les OF people, it imposes duty equal to 81
Der cent; but gilt paper pays only IS per cent,
'lllet-donx paper 80 per cent; and French
envelopes, "plain, ornamented, and coIored,''
80 per cent.
1t compels the planter and farmer to paw
rom 80 to $50 per cent on the iron and iron
Implements which they use; from IS to 100
Der cent on the sugar they consume; 35 to ITO
IN the molasses, and LOG to ITO on the salt
hey have to purchase.
But 1t is unnecessary to multiply instances
'f this enormous extortion upon the producing
md consuming classes, for the benefit of the
manufacturers. through the instrumentaity of
he present taIf. And what is the effect of
his Infamous system-infamous, with its pi-
atcal devices of the minimum and specific
iutIes 1t is to transfer money from the pock-
It's OF the consuming classes to the pockets of
ne manufacturers. Its tendency is 10 impov-
IRISH the many, and to enrich the few. Its Z.
ilrect effect is to create immense fortunes 70:
he recipients Of its bountes; while it abstracts
ne substance from, and degrades the masses