The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Tariff and warshouse BiiI-AIso SIR Robert Peel
a1sea-zszaa and Mar. svehssers tslicy.


Il seems TO be "fxed fact" that the manufacturers
resolved effort to change the present policy OF the
country far as their interests concerned, at this
session of Congress- il possible-lf not certainly at the
next There can be no mistake from the various nlma
lions thrown out for, wherever they control the press,
the agonising cry of n" is sent up, and the whole
federal press 10 be united in demanding "TepeaP
OF the tariff of 1915 Ii may be well to consider the mat
ter for moment to ascertain, II we can, how lar the
grievances of the manufacturing interest are founded ~
reason and II a revolution in whole commercial pol
icy be agreed TO without dement 10 the cardinal M
erests of the country Changes ever 70 be deprecated
under any form OF government unless fu and undoubt-
ed necessity shown for them particularly u, IN their
operation, il is believed by the great body OF the people
they will prove injurious TO their interests That THIS
has been demonstrated yet In reference to the tarn OF
last session, surely no one will pretend 10 say Theo-
nes-fne-spun theoriesare all very good but when ar
ayed against facts and simple common sense, as well as
sound political economy, the illusion, or rather deuson,
is scattered to the Winds and, when submitted to the
test of truth shrink from searching analysis. Sober
reason, when fortified by justice and facts as ce as the
noon-day SUM- need not avoid conflict with avTice but
too apparent and selfish, as well as odlous and revolt
my. ..... II .
But before we proceed with very brief examination
OF this NATTER must frankly and honestly dsayow all
interest in the question OF personal OF business character
We without interest in either agriculture, commerce,
or manufactures; but, ranking with the great body OF
the people, the consumers desire 10 consider the ques
ton solely in regard to It's bearings on the interests OF the
rhoie people.
The south and southwest, with a large part of the
northern middle sections Union, are opposed
any change in the tariff Of 1916. AT the south, well as
in other quarters it has been contended that the reduc
tons in the tariff OF 1912 not cdrrted far enough
and that to make the system Of mPosts more saGaoe'
10 the standard They protest. and justly,
too, against all class and special Legislation they pro-
test and justly, too, against all indirect taxation for the
immediate benefit o interest another they protest.
Justly and strongly too against II as beng alien TO the
spirit OF our institutions under whose Just and equabe
operation ALL are guaranteed against oppression and m
9TH Fh
can be adduced, they protest against IT laying the
foundation for an arsocracy that If tolerated, may con-
troll the liberties of the country, has unquesonably
controlled our legislation, TO a fearful extent
The western States most certainly never VIII consent
to the rempostion OF high tariff Under the recent
modification OF the commercial policy OF England, they
have extensive demand for their breadsuits, their
beef and their pork, their leather lard, talow butter
and other products for all of which they paid in
specie, or its equivalent and they never will consent
that market which has been thrown open TO them by
wise and proydent legislation abroad, and which is
daily adding to their wealth, should be hazaIded by un
wise and improyiden legislation at home The agricul
tura and kindred interests OF the great west will
consent suicidal policy. The "home Market" Ito
cant and favorite phrase of the manuactuers the
west is always sure of tariff tariff; and they will
not voluntarily risk the loss of valuable foreign
ke by too stringent policy in reference to the products
OF that country which her best customer as well as of
the south.
Few persons seem to comprehend the whole scope Of
the tariff policy urged BY It's warm and Jealous advo
Gates Suffering did from the effects of the Of
1912, the ar-amed American system" was devised in
1916, to supply the desideraum which appeared to be
called for. To furnish the means OF lquldatng the debt
incurred by the war, was one Argument used by its adj
vocaes and another TO make Independent OF foreign
supplies in the event OF another war, not the least
plausible well popular, urged by the cunning art-
GERS Of the system" Heavy ad vaofems and oppressive
mnimums the order of the day. to extinguish
the national debt, and to enable infant manufac-
lures TO compete with the foreign manufacturer. These
the arguments used at thai period to build up and
sustain policy which many OF farseeing statesmen
predicted would ultimately prove injurious to other and
more important interests OF our country. Our debt
soon paid off but " infant manufactures could
not successfully compete with foreign productions,
necessary still to continue the minimum system, to foster
the dollhouse plant BY adding to its already onerogs and
shown that could, in the China and Mexican mar
kes, cope with the English manufacturer in the sale OF
many fabrics which the latter had previously monope
liZed still the manufacturers strongly opposed 10
revision of tariff policy, with view to reduction OF
duties. The consummation of the SYSTEM the advent
Of which was joyfully hailed in 1916, now per-
fect still the manufacturers refused TO mitigate it in any
of its provisions although loudly called or and notwh
standing they had proved that they could compete and
easily too, with the foreign manufacturer IN all the mate
rial productions necessary for clothing they recklessy vi
oated the PLEDGE they gave through their orators and lead
in 1916. The system, intact and complete to be
pepetuated for profits ranging from 80 TO 5Ope CT per
capital invested could moi be surrendered cheerful
ly without struggle Cunning had done its work and
avarce with its touching and moving appeals TO pa
triotsm had to do, its work also Time and circum-
stances, however which always working changes
had accomplished revolution in the minds of many who
had been friendly to the great American system " and
Notwithstanding the patriotic labors of its advocates in
throwing dust in the eyes of the people by asserting that
the higher the duties acere the ctcnper the goods lr0ud be
furnished to the consumer the people called their rep
resentaves to revise the tariff to change it altogether
in conformity with the liberal legislation of other
tries by which were most essentially benefited to
bring il, in word, to simple revenue standard. Has
this been done? BY means But let see, if posi-
BILE and this may, in measure, by reference to
the present rate of duty cotton goods with the of
importation. In this way may ascertain the quantum
of protection which the manufacturers still derive from
the tariff and other sources.
Surprising an importer should send an order to Eng
land for certain descriptions of goods, say in amount
81 900 sterling. The will cost him at least 81 300
or centy-str per cent advance the original sum re-
mtted exclusive of 80 per cent in addition for duty paid
here. But let us give the data; =,
Amount RENTED to Manchester, say CT 900
Exchange on same paid here, (ths being the aver
age rate for many years pasto 10 per cent. pre-
MUM -ra 100
Commission for purchasing, 81 per cent Is
Expenses of packing, forwarding TO Liverpool,
shipping charge, freight and insurance, at least
81 per cent. 65
Interest on amount RENTED to England until
finally realized here in cash. lat least II
months although frequently a much longer
period elapses before this il done,) say per g..
cent. H- ".u- w.. ....- 70
~ " ."a" M"." IT, Ell 260
Here we have charge OF 90 per cent on the cost of
the goods which must be paid exclusive of 80 per cent
duty and incidental charges in New York Figures, they