The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-15


Now, here are the results of the protection which
the boot and shoemakers, and matters, derive from
the tariff. For the last four years and three quar-
ters the exports Of boots shoes, and hats, have
ceeded the imports by several hundred thousand
dollars; thus proving, that in relation to those art-
cles, the supply srceeds he demand. Consequently,
the shoemakers and hstters are obliged to seek
foreign market for the surplus of their productions
beyond the consumption Of this country; therefore,
the tariff affords them not the least protection. The
duties on boots, shoes, and hats are mere hu,nbng
duties, as are the duties potatoes, wheat, Indian
corn, cotton, &C., &c.
II is thus all Of those intelligent classes Of me-
chanics view the matter. During the last summer.
the boot and shoemakers Of New York city held .
large meeting, to take into consideration the interests
Of their particular business, at which they adopted
long preamble and series of resolutions, setting
forth, one Of the prominent causes Of the depres
alleged, Increased the prices not only Of the stock
which they manufactured, but also nearly every ar
ticle which they consumed for food or clothing. 1
have before me that preamble and the resolutions
accompanying. copy the closing words of the
preamble, with the first resolution, which are as fol-
lows: W
of all the llscics Of the day we consider the prom
sd projections Of the mechanics Of the United ses under
Aav. nod seasA Of IT, We ask that may oager be az
III Il Aveore reso,,ed Tha. the present tariff burden
tax uen the industry ofthe country and particularly
upon ihranch Of industry in which engaged
Abous the same time, the shoemakers of Lynn,
Massachusetts, under the immediate eye Of Mr.
Webster, held a meeting, and adopted an address,
which have before me, in which they complain Of
low wages and depressed business, and call upon
their -shoemakers to combine and refuse to la
Dor, and thus raise prices by stopping the supply
This was nearly two years after the present tariff
was enacted; yet it had afforded no relief to the
shoemakers, nor has it to this day. The shoe bu-
siness in New England is at this very moment great
ly dspressed and the main reason Of tits that they
produce greater supply than the consumption Of
the country requires, and are unable to sell
their surplus productions At a recommending profit
in foreign countries, in consequence Of the
prohibitory duties which our tariff imposes up
on the productions Of foreign countries, for which
shoes and boots would bs exchanged, and which
cannot be brought into this country without serious
loss. How absurd and bassess, then, 10 the asser-
tiop of Mr.. Webster that the shoemakers could not
exist swelvemonth without the aid Of the presen,
tariff! And equally absurd II il to make such an
assertion in reference to the hatters talors, black
smiths, and other mechanics. I
The tariff imposes burdens on those valuable
glasses Of citizens in various ways. In the first
place, iarss almost every article sohieh they o. their
Jamilies eat, drink, sr ,oem Duties increase the
prices ofthe articles on which they are laid; and,
consequently, more labor ismquirsd 10 purchase Them
This, of course, appreciates the nett income Of the
masses Of mechanics.
Secondly, the duty on the raw material which
they manufacturc-the leather, iron, cloth, furs,
&cincreases the prices Of those articles, and COM
pcls the shoemaker, halter, blacksmith, &c. to EN-.
ploy more capital-more money in his business
and, consequently, he loses more interest on the
capital thus employed. This, to man of small
means, causes embarrassment, ara sometimes fail
ure.
Would il not be better for the blacksmith in the
country village to get his iron $50 per ton cheaper
than he now getsii And would il not be better for
the bootmaker Of the city to be able to get his
~ W iOs WE" SSo sseA' W."
pays in consequence of the duty-his sole-leather
IS per cent. less And how does the tariff benefit
him BY increasing the prices Of the stock he works
up--,hus causing him greater outlay Of cash to
carry on his business. But will not pursue this
subject.
A san like Mr.. Webster, who aspires to no high
er need Of fame than to be known as the mouth
piece of British interests, against the interests Of his
own country, will hardly stop at any assertion in
respect to 50 humble matter as the interests Of the
laboring classes Of his countrymen. But what
must the intelligent artisans, who, he says, scam
not exist a twelvemonth" il the present tariff is
modified or repealed, think Of this great idol of
federalism, Mr.. Webster II is not difficult to i'm
agine. They must pity him for his want Of in,el-
gence, or they viii turn from him in contempt and
scom for his want Of veracity, and his attempt to
deceive them.
] now pass on to inquire who are the recipients
of the bouniies exac,cd from the people, through
the fundamentally of the tariff
Tho whole number of persons employed in trades
and manufactures in the United States in 1910 was
79l ,545, according the late census; and of that
number, the particular occupations Of 506,0s3 are
given. In speaking Of the protected classes il is