Mobile register and journal. [volume] (Mobile, Ala.) 1841-1849, 1845-04-03

WHY RAIL ROADS WHICH ARE WANTED ARE
NOT MADE.-lt is curious fact that dozen men.
who happen TO be IN possession of a large amount of
capital, hold back the whole country in it's ell.
terprIses. There are, we SUPPOSE about twelve men
in the country who IKE railroad iron. On their
account AN enormous tribute is laid upon all the rail
road iron brought into our ports, IA tribute which
puts severe discpurag cement upon The construction
Of railroads. Foi these twelve men the country
stands still, and they who would al this be
| occupied IN building railroad from this city TO
Albany and another 10 Lake Erie, were the price O.
railroad iron what il ought to be. have nothing do
but TO wait for IA modification of The tariff.
Rail road iron can be obtained in England at s23
so ton; such informed is the price at which
the Harlem Kali Road Company have the Opporti-
nifty Of contracting for it. The duty is twenty-five
dollars lon and hen add to tins The charge of
fire. ight and transportation a commodity the bulk
and weight Of which is so great proportion 10 its
COST The advantage in favor Of the American manu-
facIure is enormous. No subjects Of any absolute
province in Europe; no inhabitants oil any pashalik
under the Grand Sultan are taxed as are taxed
for the sake ofilie dozen in this country who
manufacture iron for railways.
Not long since, the president of one Of The rail-
roads in tins country made application to the yari-
makers Of railroad, with view Of eflectng
contract for supply lie found that the lowest
terms he could make with them 500 ton, nor
would they bind themselves to deliver the iron AT
that price. Thus by the operation Of our moderate
and beneficial tariff, rs Mr. Clay calls ii, railroad
iron is made TO cost in this country nearly three
times the which it is furnished to the con
structors Of railroads in England More Than half
the difference Of price goes into the pockets Of the
American manufacturer Of whom ii is purchased.
i. Ii would be cheaper To give these pensions.
If they are to be cha, &c upon the country let
cast about for the most economical method Of sup
porting them in comfort. Give them AN annuity-It
would cost less in the long than dear railroad
iron, and high rates Of fare and high rates Of freight
railroads. We should give dozen men comiort-
able stipends for life, and relieve the enterprise Of
the country. The shareholders in the railroads
would doubtless he glad to bear their pat in the ex
pense. They would probably be even willing, il the
manufacturers ofraiIway iron were open TO such
arrangement, and if il were certain that congress
would recognise the bargain to buy off these dozen
manufacturers by paying them liberal annuity.
They nigh, then come before Congress and say
1--WE have provided Tor yoIr iavorIies. We have
made their fortunes, and there is necessity TO re-
sort to taxation Tor their benefit, trouble your
selves lailher their account; let US now have a
low revenue duty on the comlodily which you have
hitherto taxed So enormously"
The freight and passage alone on railroad iron
amount To about three dollars and Thirty cents ton,
winch is protection Of about fourteen per cent 10 the
American manufacturer. Add To tins the other u
pemses Of b, ngiug into the American Market and
superadd very m 'derate revenue duty, and the
protection is ample enough 10 satisfy any but very
unreasonable protecionisi.