Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-09
TIIE. TARIFF

We have strong hopes, which are strength
ened every day, that The presen! Congress will
not adjourn without reforming The abuses OF
the Tariff. In answer to the objections that
the Mexican War should save The Tariff from
being "rouched, a letter in The New York Herald
says, that as means Of meeting the contingencies
Of ua7, a vigorous effort will be made 10 reduce
the Tariff OF 1912, upon the following plan:
lst In the minimums upon coarse cotton
fabrics, &c.
ID. In the specifics, such as the So per pound
upon manufactured silks
81. In The prohbtory duties, such as upon
glass ware, trace chains, &c.
4h Ia genera reduction Of the standard OF
1912, upon iron, cloths, &c.
5h. In The imposition OF duty upon free ar
riclcs used BIZ our manufacturers, and of higher
dulv upon IA = wool, and other articles
9Th In the reduction OF the duty upon salt, and
the imposition Of duty upon tea and coffee.
Tie writer then presents the following beneficial
effects OF reduction Of the Tariff, which strike
US as highly reasonable. We cannot believe
that Congress will pass over The Tariff, for fear
OF prolongng The session, and thereby exciting
the dispieasure Of The people. In our opinion,
the contrary course will have that effect. icon
sress adjourn without acting on the Tariff, the
people who look anxiously 10 Tariff REFORM will
hold Them 10 a heavy responsibility:
alt calculated that a Judicious modification
upon this general outline, will bring fifty mil
lions into The Treasury per annnm. Under The
law of 40 while some thirty millions are collect
ed into The Treasury, al least one hundred and
fifty millions are paid by the people as bounty
Il. ~ IS,rIc .,f bal
and TO The expansion oilhcir profits, some twenty,
some sky. and some an hundred fold. The idea
is 10 divert portion Of these profits Of The ma
nufacturers into The Treasury 10 meet the extra
ordinary expenses Of the Government, and 10
avert the alternative Of an excise lax upon the
people.
"Wih this understanding, therefore, that the
modification OF the Tariff is 10 be vigorously
prosecuted as measure for an extra collection oil
money, to meet the extraordinary requlsltlon,
upon The Treasury, The safely Of the bill OF AZ
becomes exceedingly probemalical. In ASST
ming the necessity of the modification upon The
ground specified, The prospect OF reduction, on
The other hand can only be averied through delay
until he session shall have been SO far extended
as 10 excite The dSpieasure OF the people, and TO
cocrce in fear of The consequences OF longer
continuance both houses 10 a preciptae adj
lournnent.
In connection with this subject, we find in the
New York Evening Post review OF The late Ia
riff Fair, so strongly argued and SO well drawn,
that we are sure that our readers will enjoy it,
Il will be seen that the strong sense and practical
knowledge of friend Jones are being drawn upon,
far and near for arguments in favor OF revenue
duties:
"The object OF this fairs 10 persuade the men,
a IA min tnr a
presen, Tariff II would net surprise US, however.
If the members were 10 draw from il different les
son from what is expected oithem. They will per-
ccive that only class enjoying great prosperity,
and gathering great wealth from The investment oil
their capital, could get up so gorgeous show
II will be apparent 10 them that those who follow
the unprotected callings, the great class oil consul
mers, who till the ground and occupy themselves
with thousand miscellaneous branches OF in
dustry, Of which the Tariff takes no note, could
never afford 10 do what is done by these manu-.
featuring corporations; and they will hardly be
brought 10 vote for the preservation OF any prohi
bi,ory duties by seeing the riches wruns from The
people BY an unjust law pompously paraded be-
fore their eyes.
"Therr are 70, other interences equally unfa
yorable to the continuance of prohibitory duties
to be drawn from this exhibition. Many OF the
manufacturers, who have consented 10 send 10
the Fair the articles they produce, acknowledge
that they have no necessity of protective duties 10
enable them 10 prosper in their vocation cor
respondent Of the Washington Union, speaking
Of the flannes from the Virginia Woollen Com
pany, al Richmond, as cheaper than any other
exhibited al the Fair, remarks that the agent, Mr..
Jones' considers the duty in The Tariff lately pre-
pared by The Committee Of Ways and Means as
amply sufficient for the success OF his company.
He notices fabrics from several small factories
in Virginia and Maryland-brown cottons from
the Laurel Factory in Maryland, and cotton
shrlincs made BY Gambrill, Carroll & Co., OF The
same State-cheaper and more perfect IN texture
than those woven in the looms OF the large IN
cornora,ions OF the East. The truth Is, that The
nrpsent Tariff is more wanted Tor The overSrown
establishments OF the Eastern STATES, with lhci:
annara,us OF we'll salaried managers, agents and
,reasurers. who hold ali easy supervision over
their affairs, Than Tor the little factories atlenvey
watched by their owners. Caleb Jones, of Rich
mond. NAV do very we'll without high duties, bui
| Abbot Lawrence, of Boston, would miss lew
figure. in the footing OF his yearly gains.
| "Our Washington correspondent mentions that
| COL Pratt, of Prausville, who has sent some hne
specimens Of leather 10 the fair, says that with
attention and industry his manufacture would
succeed without protection. 1t is precisely 50
with The cotton and woollen manufactures. Al
,ention and industry are required, .and who is
there that has right to ask 10 be dispensed from
the necessity Of attention and industry? Pro,ec-
lion aud prohibiiory duties are but premiums on
| American idleness, instead OF announcements 10
American industry.
"lf you would spoil a young man lie; him begin
the world with fortune. II you would make
useful and thriving man OF him, il you would
ensure laborious habits and the diligent cultiva-
ton and highest exercise Of his talents, lei him
begin the world with nothing let him scramble
for himself, and make his own way TO fortune.
ut is precisely so with manufacturing pur-
suits This fostering OF our infant, manufac-
lures as the proh5onsts call il, in their cant,
this iavoring and pampering the capitalists who
choose TO make cotton or wooen cloths, is the
very worst policy for a nation which desires the
perfection OF its manufactures. il is allowing
the Young fellow 10 sci out in life with estate.
1t sros him By exemp,ing him from that aaen-
ton and industry which il is bes! that all men
should be held. The true policy is 10 thrust our
manufactures into the open field Of competition
| with all the world. We have no fear that they
| will allow themselves 10 be crushed we have
perfect confidence that with the ingenuity activi-
| ~, and fertility in eYpedents that belong 10 our
countrymen, five years Of that policy, The policy
| OF Tree trade, would make US better manutactu-
rers in every respect than We have ever been, and
better than we can become under system Of
prohibtory duties"
Little Tennessee" seems 10 be aroused By the
war news The Wythevie Republican says:
AS we write, tall hickory flag staff is being
reared in our streets, calling upon our people TO
look upon the dag of the country, the banner Of
volunteers, and saying 10 them be ready, The Ea-
ge's fight is Westward and Southwark Ho!-
Already The fire is up, the sons Of the mountains
have heard the war note, and Wy,he presents her
standard, crying who will rally 10 i'll"
Capt. Joseph F. Kent and Cb A. Bower an
pounce their anxious readiness TO receive enli,,-
| mania for rolnnfeers 10 serve IwalYe mnnihx