New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-07
. British auti.Tariff Tinkerer Cornered.

Potomac, the able correspondent OF the BaA1'
more Patriot, gives the following description OF
scene which occurred at Washington on Monday
The proceedings of Congress being dali to-day &C
ceoted an invitation visit the Of the house Com
mil,ee Post Offices and Pos, Roads wnere loIna
Mr. Homer brother Sidney Homer whose anti am
etter appeared in the last number OF the " Union en-
hibitpg about 200 specimens OF goods OF Enghsh manu-
facture with like goods OF American produchon, ano
prices attached to each-in order TO convince members
of Congress that Tariff ought to be struck down
don't know when ever enjoyed an hours nme more
heartily Mr.. Homer is geptemanly person VINO seems
10 understand the Of the English Manufacturers
admirably well! Indeed he told those present that ne
had resided in Manchester, England. for ten years en-
gagged in sending British goods TO this country and ihs
he left England reside in the United STATES IN ici-
pc has smsssed large fortune and seems 10 come 20
instruct Congress in behalf of Sir r. Walker on the
ON. side and the Manufacturers Of Manchester on the
other He brings a letter of instruction and recon-
nendatou from Mr. Alexander Henry great capitalist
in Manchester which is dated January 3D. 1916, and was
received per the Hberna apart OF this letter
Mr. Homer exhibits those who wish ~ peruse IL the
British writer of it. in speaking of Mr.. Folks antiTaf
message TO Congress. excaims-" second Daniel come
TO judgment second Sir Richard CoodenF lie
praises the message very much-thereoy showing no"
highly appreciated by the British hauufacturers
In regard 10 Mr. Homes mission 10 instruct Congress
into belief that it would be best to break down the
American Manufacturers and eXalt those oil GREAT BIZ
tain Mr.. Henry writes: e am gao that you, whose
long experience Importer enables you so well 10
understand the subject have taken in hand for II the
object of those Washington be TO obtain sound inor
naon and arrive conclusions In the proposed a.
ter atom of the present Tariff the information which you
can lay before them viii be highly valuable
There were present in the room while was there
Messrs Stewart Colamer and Hubbard, OF the House.
and Mr. Wethered of Baltimore; also, two anti-Tarif
Members who soon left You may well imagine that
such gentlemen as have named would under the cir
cumsances, put searching questions to MI Homer
coming there for such purpose aud so recommenoed
And / you they did put them! Mr.. Homer an
swered we'll perhaps, as any Free-Trader couid-but
never have seen a man 30 completely cornered
He exhibited two pieces oi calico which ne sau were
manufactured by Senator Summons, OF Rhode Island
who sold them for II cents per yard and the other
for IA l5 Mr. Wethered thought there must be some
mistake in his and went to the Senate and request
ed Mr. Simmons come down 10 the Committee room,
who readily assented TO the request He said The pieces
question were CT his Manufacture and from The
quality the best piece not worth over l2 cents and
the other not 10! per yard. Those persons from
whom Mr. Homer had obtained them had deceived him
Mr.. Homer said the manufacturers of this species oil
goods made profit of from 90 to 30 per centum MI
Hubbard asked him why then more persons did not IN
their capital in such profitable business He asked
Mr. Homer why he did not embark in the business The
latter replied that be would invest SoOVUO IN IT, II ne
did that many would push into the same en-
terprise to bring down the profits by competition SO
low as to destroy the business. Mr. Stewart asked if
that the American doctrine, that competition
duced only the profits but the prices Mr. Colmer
asked who but the great OF the people reaped the
benefit from this competition among manufacturing
capitalists Mr.. Hubbard wanted MIR. Homer to say II
the why he did invest his capital in this line
of business was because competition would bring down
the prices of the goods manufactured Mr. Homer fall
tered in bis reply and said there several reasons
why he would not engage in manufactures One was
that the market would be huctuatng.
Mr. Wethered seeing the state OF things and exercis
Ing his compassion said it bad for many to be
against one. He hoped the Tariff folks in Congress
would also have Committee Room, well as the
British Manufactures with specimens for examination
and comparison and that they would appoint some
sible gentleman superintend it and argue the matter
ingle.handed with Mr.. Homer. Whereupon the gem
temen made their bows and took their leave. | fear
Mr. Homer will find his mission too hot for him. The
American people don't like these kind of missions
behalf OF British Manufactures who seek the deetruc
ton ofthe American Tariff, however plausible and right
the thing may appear in the eyes OF Mr. Polk or MI
Walker.