The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-03
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

Y.
lst What agricultural products are raised in
your State; and which, if any, of the staples of
cotton, rice, OF tobacco?
3D. What portion of its capital is engaged in
their production
I'd 10 what extent its commercial me-
chanlcal, manufacturing, and navigation interests
immediately connected with or dependent upon
them2
4th. What has been the annual average profit
on capital employed in their production, on we'll
conducted farms, or plantations, for the last three
years, since the passage of the tariff of 1912, in
GLIDING the crop of that year. and deducling all
expenses incident to the production of the articles.
their preparation for market, the transportation TO
the place of sale, and tn sales themselves
9TH What has been the annual profit of the
capital so employed for the ten years preceding
1912. under the reduction of the duties by the act
OF 1882, and the compromise act of the next year,
estimated in the same way?
OH What.has been the annual average price
OF these agricultural products and staples durnI
the same periods respectively and what the an.
hual average income per hand. or laborer, deduc-
ting all expenses, during the same periods res
peclively2
9TH. How far have prices and profits during the
periods referred 10 been affected by the operation
OF the tariff laws, and how far by the state of the
currency2
ON DoeS me State raise sufficient supply of
horses, mules, hogs and of cattle, meals, and
other provisions if not, from what places does it
draw It's supplies and what has been the AVERAGE
annual amount, and what the prices, for the last
three years. and also for the, ten preceding: If
there has been difference between them to what
do you attribute it
9Th. Are the commercial mechanical. manu-
featuring, and navigation interests of the State so
Immediately connected with and dependent upon
the agricultural products and staples that their
profits increase or diminish in the same, or very
nearly the same, proportion with them
10Th. Have the average prices of what are
called the protected articles been as low. in pro-
portion to the average prices of the staples for
The last three years, as in the preceding ten, ma.
king allowance for the effects which the AVERAGE
prices Of the raw materials, during the respective
periods referred TO, must have had on the cast of
making such articles; if not, to what do Won at
tribute it, and TO what extent has it affected the
growers of the staples, and the State at LARGE in
the increased cost OF their production and the gen.
eral expense of living?
llh. Does the Stale export any other articles
Of his own product, besides the agricultural pro-
ducts and staples If it does, Of what description
are they, and to what extent have their prices
and the aggregate amount In value, been com
Paratlvely affected during the same periods?
18th. What proportion of the aggregate amount
OF articles of every kind that the State makes for
export, are exported and consumed abroad are
their prices governed by the foreign or home de-
mand to what foreign markets are they princi-
paily shipped; do you meet competitors in them
from other countries with similar articles for sale
do the high duties Imposed by the present tariff
lessen your ability to meet them successfully {:
and. if they do, state how A.?
18th. Is there any such immediate connection
between imports and exports that country can
not continue to import for any great length of time
greater amount in value than it exports. or. uice
0ersd, export for any great length of time more
than it is permitted TO import estimating fairly
the value of each and if there be, TO what ex
tent must the present duties affect ultimately the
value OF the exports Of the country?
IAN. Have you any manufacturing establish
rnents IN your State and, if so, of what kind are
they' what Is their number, and what amount of
capnaI IS invested in them what descriptions of
goods do they make, and what has been the nro-
fit on their Investment for the last three vesrs2
Are the present duties necessary TO keen them IN
operation with profit; If not, what amount. if
any, would be required to give profit equal in
amount to the average profit Of growing the great
staples Of the State, for the last three wears mr.
the ten preceding
18th. Is your State now, or have its citizo,s
been at any former period. engaged in the bnsi-
ness Of ship building, or that Of navigation. and
TO what extent what IS the present condition of
those interests how have they been affected bv
the tariff laws; and what is the effect of the pres
ent duties upon them 2
10Th. w hat proportion does the capital invest
90 by your cluzens in commerce bear TO the value
OF It's agricultural products and staples; have The
commercial interests Of The State been affected bv
the tariff laws If 50, how, and 10 what extsnt7'