The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-04
COMMUNICATION.
For the Union.
The Tariff.

gull the ignorant In my last article showed that very
high tariff does not benefit the laborng classes the
ton at large but is great injury both that it does not
protect native industry but by the system of importing
labor npsn which there is duty, il rather depresses
There is no axiom in political economy more true and
self-evdent than that low prices increase consump
tons and Is to this point that now wish to direct at
tenton, would fam write plainly, SO that the aborng,
hard working millions Of citizens may understand
well rs the rich and inuenta and, this end like to
deal IN acss Tor they are easily comprehended and can
not be tOntroverted by the most sophistcal argunens
not even BY the sophistry of Daniel Webster himself
Now for fact: friend of mine who is large impor-
ter OF dry goods the last time he went TO England to
chase goods IN Manchester bought new suit Of black
clothtS confusing OF frock coat pants, and vest, of the
b risAes and most fashionable taors in that mighty
emporium Of trade, at a cost of E5 os., S26l
nett money. Not long ago | went with him to buy
vest of most respectable and excellent tailor in
Chestnut street, Philadelphia, and took the opportunity to
ask him how much he would charge for such suit
the gentleman had on He looked and examined, and
pronounced them rst-rate and answered that he could
not make them for less than fifty dollars. This is no
made tale for party purposes, the invoice of the Man
chester made clothes my possession and can be seen
at any time; and as intend being in Washington the
second week OF February wall bring with me for the
inspection of the incredulous ~ 5et
Now let US apply this fact 10 the wearers of such
clothes; and first, myself am person OF limited in.
come and II must pay $50 for suit of black, such
like TO wear, II must be satisfied with only suit year;
but If could get them for 26a ~ dollars, would buy
and wear two suits in the year; and if my talor's
other customers did the same his business would be
doubled, and he would be content with less rate of
profit than when he only made half the quantity of
Clothes and thus further reduce his prices, and,
quently still further increase the consumption And if
he employed operative, before, he would then employ
twenty, even more, and by this means increase the
demand for labor in the market, and keep taors wages
But let extend our ideas for moment, and conem
plate the three leading classes society who SINH
lar clothing to the aforementioned viz Ministers OF re-
lgion lawyers, Gncludng Judges and doctors, and in
quire how many they number ! What is the total num-
Der of these three professions We reply 100000 in the
United States Out of this aggregate, may reckon
that there 5000 whose means ample that they
already get much clothing they desire, and would
buy any more than they do now So that must de-
duct the 900 from the 10000, which would leave
AS 900 persons of but moderate means who could do
WITH and would purchase suit of clothes extra every
year. besides and then overcoa cloak, vest,
or pants, over and above. But this is not all these
$4,000 individuals will have families, probably
age of two each; some three four, five,
and SIX up to good round dozen; and they could also
do with two suits instead OF every year; and they
would get them, too. This estimate would give an In
creased consumption yearly OF $4,000 mems suits and
100000 suits for boys and young men, which would add
materially to the comforts OF $4,000 individuals, extend
the merchant and the merchant aors trade and give
large increased employment to ourneymen iaors clerks
and others. More importers would spring up; more
storekeepers, warehousemcn, clerks porers &c more
ships sailors and OF every trade and occupa-
ton connected with ships and shipping.
This, however very restricted view OF the opera
ton OF low prices increasing consumption. Why not
look it in lis utmost limits and extent? We may do
nay we ought to do We live in free country,
equal laws, based upon the principle of abstract honesty
look for justice and equity neither favoring per-
or P ha IL M no sao o
the benefit and enchng OF cotton and woollen manufac
tuers banks. miners, iron makers, and smcers but CIV
ing fair play to all our citizens.
Upon what principle do we enact criminal laws Upon
the principle of abstract honesty; and if be starry
ing and steals TO supply his need he is promptly tried
and punished for the offence. But upon what principle
do we pass tariff laws Upon the principle of dshon
esy taxing the whole Union for the advantage OF few
II the treasury wants money whatdoas i do 1t orders
officers to go board all ships entering the various
ports, and demand onehd of the value of the cargo in
good hard money and in case OF REFUSAL TO take forci-
Bic possession Of it, sell it, and take the duty out of the
proceeds What principle is this That of might
right
..That they may take who have the power
And they may keep who can"
The poor man who stole the loaf to keep him from star
yation had the greatest OF all necessities to offer in
tenuaton of the offence but the law is uniinchng and
he is cast into prison. The Secretary OF the Treasury,
under the protection OF tariffs, robs wholesale, and he
goes unmolesel But the expenses Of the government
must be paid and if there tariff how would the
money be raised BY direct taxation one tax upon
every proportion to his income. II one per cent.
on all incomes would pay the expenses, and the aborer
earns three hundred dollars year. he would have three
dollars TO pay and the President has $1,000 dollars
wear coming in, he would have 200 dollars to pay IT
estimated that the 1Sil the collection OF the
indirect taxes OF Great Britain cost the people 100000
pounds sterling and that direct tax could have been col
lecel for eighth OF that amount sufficient Tor the
wants of the queen and her government.
To return from this depression Suppose then that the
duties imports reduced to 10 per cent ad vaorem
ii the duties on cotton silk woolen worsted, lnen and
mixed fabrics of carpets. CHINA earthenware, cutlery
farming utensils iron and steel in every shape were
brought down per cent upon their real value, what
would happen Look at the English postage law, for an
instance OF the prolucveness of low prices not long
ago the rates OF postage in England varied from two to
TWENTY-FIVE cents for single letters according TO distances
il was altered bold stroke 10 two cents per single
letter for all distances and nothing for newspapers and
now the revenue produces is larger than when high
than he