American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-18

VUES-
lions. The Secretary ofthe Treasury, in view
of the proposed reduction of the tariff, has adj
dressed a circular, IN which he Propounds forty
questions, to the proprietors and directors oil
manufacturing establishments throughout the
country. The U. S. Gazette thus notices some
Of these questions, which it styles ''not only as
quite impertinent, but almost ridiculous"
"The annual rate of profit on the capital in
vested IN the manufacturing" Why, how is
the Secretary TO understand the circumstances
under which the work has been carried on?-
Some of the factories, that cost $3.50 900, have
been purchased for $50 900, and have thus di-
vided 6 or I per CT. per annum on the first cost,
and this has appeared a monstrous profit on
the last purchase.
Then the Secretary asks "for distinction
in the rate of profit OH that part of the capital
bOir0aced, and that Which is not borrowed. y
What an idea and what has that to do with
the tariff,
Another question is, as to the profits for the
last three years, and whether these profits have
been withdrawn, or converted into taxed CAPT.
tai, &c.
Now this is one Of those questions which are
decidedly tmpefttnem.
The Secretary asks, what quantity of goods,
''such as the questioned person makes, is made
in the United States"
We think it would be neither easy nor polite
to answer such quere.
The question then occurs: "If the duty on
foreign goods, such as you make, were reduced
to II l-2 per cent, and corresponding reduc-
ton on all imports, would it cause you to
abandon your business, or would you continued"
Now we think that such question could be
easily answered, but we do not think it ,ciH be
very soon. Meantime, if the first part relative
to duty of IL 10 per cent were answered in
the affirmative, where would be the iron mas
tiers in Pennsy lvania?
But here is prime question, one that must
startle the manufacturer:
"30th fit would Chat is the reduction to
IL l-2 per cent cause you to abandon bust
ness, in what way would you employ your
capital "!!!!
Now as the capital of manufacturer is prn-
cpally in his spinning jennies, his mules, and
his looms, it would, we imagine, be difficult
for him to tell exactly what he would do with
these curious contrivances. They would not
be wanted in Washington or Texas, we sup
pose Certainly that thirtieth question is a
stumper. Perhaps the Secretary could help
the manufacturers out with an answer, as it is
question of his own asking. Possibly, some
of the old manufacturers of Rhode Island could
tell what they do with factories and factory
machinery, when the tariff is disturbed. We
shall certainly think deeply on this puzzler.
The 3lst question: "ls there any business in
which you could engage, from which you could
derive greater profits, even after a reduction of
duties to 10 10 cents?"
Perhaps specializing in Texas scrip would be
more profitable
The Send question asks, "whether salt and
iron are not manufactured SO far from the sea
portsas to be out of the way Of competition"
This question is rather too weak to sustain
an answer There are western rivers with
steam boats, and there are eastern states with
rail roads and canals
"Amount of capital employed, how much
real, and how much borrowed"
Is not borrowed money real? Is not hun
drcd thousand dollars, which A. borrows of B,
to carry on his factory, as real in its operation,
as the same sum with which GA" commenced
business;n