The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-17
New YoRK, July l6, 1876.
To u. Editor of The Union:

| Avn" 'VAAi iotO.
| To the Editor Of The Union:
In former letter alluded to a certain class Of
mercantile men who were to be found acting with
the protectionists.
! ! see Mr.. Webster presented a memorial to the
Senate against the revenue bill, purportng 10 be
from the importers of Boston, and that he threatened
the Senate with a similar memorial from importers
Of this city. Let US sec how this matter stands.
In 1912, all the millionaire dry-goods importers Of
this city were in favor Of the tariff passed that year
from considerations Of personal interest knew OF
several millionaire foreign houses, the partners OF
which we're all high tariff men. Some of them had
from $780, 900 to $1,000 worth Of goods on hand
| when the tariff of 1912 went into operation which
increased from IS to As per cent. in value; or
in other words the tariff put these millionaire inn
porters in possession Of s35 900 S45 900 for every
500, 900 they held in store. They are now opposed
to the least possible reduction Of duties because the
goods they have now on hand will be reduced in
value. The dry-goods obbing- houses, who buy
from the millionaire importers and sell to country
merchants, are generally indebted to the former;
hence they bound TO conform their opinions to
| the views of the millionaire houses. These iobbers
are also compelled TO purchase domestic goods from
large manufacturing establishments, and by being
IN debt to them do not wish to oppose their protec
| tive views. These jobbers, great and small, are
often COMPOUNDED with importers, and indeed are
frequently termed importers without the least reason
for IT. How easy is II, therefore, for Mr. Webster
OF any Other penSlOneu agent OF manufactures
obtain the signatures of millionaire importers, with
| those of many jobbcrs to a memorial against the
present revenue bill. The day before the tariff
law of 1912 went into operation, n large wine
merchant of this city received 40 900 gallons
Of Madeira wine. Now as the duty impos
ed was 81 per gallon, he was the following day
| richer by just $4,000. The importer of wines
will now probably oppose any revenue bill which
might have tendency, by reduction of dutes, to
lessen the value of his Madeira IS cents per gal
lon think it equally probable that Mr.. Webster
| can obtain his signature to memorial against the
present bill, as one Of the New York importers al
| luded to. To show the influence of manufacturers
over some small yet real importers, | will state
case which came within my own knowledge
Messrs. s. T. J, & Co., dry goods importers, of
Pine street, New York, acknowledged, in conf
dence, that they were in favor Of moderate or low
duties, and disapproved of the tariff Of l842; but
felt constrained, from personal considerations of in
terest, not to make their sentiments public "For,"
said they 1--WE receive large amounts of goods
| signed to us to sell on commission by manufacturers
at the east, while we have to purchase many articles
from them to keep up the assortment of our stock
If were, therefore, openly to oppose the tariff of
lS42, we should lose their patronage and business"
We think it is highly probable Mr. Webster can
taso secure their signatures; to which he can add
all the special manufacturing commission houses and
agents in N. York. But am happy to believe that
while he might add all such merchants, there is
large majority Of the voters of New York that he
| cannot add; and that he must strike from his list all
of an immense class dependent upon commerce.
foreign trade, and general shipping business for sup
port--such as carmen, stevedores, shp-builders,
saiI-makers, ship merchants, rope-makers,
ship. copperers, ship-oiners and Smiths ship-pant-
ers, ship-chandlers, ship-owners and shipping
agents. supercargoes, ship masters, and thousands
of sailors, with a vast number of untrammelled
merchants and importers, with vast multi
tude of others connected directly indirectly
| - r Al
| raj products of the country, and in bring
ing back cargoes, to some extent, in exchange
all interested in great business created by the
pursuits Of agriculture and commerce, attempted to
be controlled and partially sacrificed by the com
bned monetary influence Of comparatively few
monaires and other capitalists, in order that the
poor may be kept poor, and the rich made still rich
er. When importers memorials paraded before
Congress- let fully understood what their peculiar
positions are and the nature Of the influences which
are made to operate upon their Judgments
The Catholic college of ST. Johns, at Fordham,
in Westchester county, about fifteen miles from this
city, held its commencement yesterday. l under
stand the exercises were Of interesting character
and accompanied with fine band Of music. A large
auditory we're in attendance. Addresses were de-
livered by the young men, number OF whom grad
aed. The college is in a very iourishDg condition.,
and contains between 100 and 300 pupils This
college owes its foundation and success mainly TO
the exertons and labors Of Bishop Hughes,
The semtannual examination Of the pupils in the
institution for the blind in this city commences to-
day, and will conclude tomorrow. will endeavor
to find time to look in and to give you some ac-
count Of proceedings, &c.
A number Of patriotic French residents propose
to celebrate the three days anniversary OF the
| French revolution.
| Mr.. Bouck, the chairman Of the suffrage commit
in the State convention, has reported in favor Of
extending the right every male citizen Of II years,
who is citizen of the United States, and has re-