The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-12-06
The Irsn Convention.

not aware that there is a single no.
party paper in the country, of any ability
or character, that is not bitterly hostile 10
the outrage which the protectionists would
practice upon the farmers and mechanics
Of this country.
To show the spirit of the neutral press
we copy from the Journal Of Commerce,
IA paper which, by the way, did good ser
vice for Gen. Taylor, at the last Presiden-
tial election) the annexed article in rela-
ton to the Iron Convention which assem-
bled in this city. We TASK all classes of
people TO give it careful reading. We
beg our merchants who have deep and
abiding interest in the general prosperity
of the country, to examine the article care
| fully Pitts. Post.
"VoTE YOURSELVES FORTUNE. by
an outline Of the proceedings of conven
ton of Iron Masters at Pitsburg, Pa, it
will be seen that they have resolved that
$40 a ton on pig iron, $50 on bar, and in
the same proportion for other qualities, are
necessary ''to protect the American mar
ket.'' As the average price of pig iron in
England for the six months ending 1st
September last was less than SIS per ton,
and of bar iron less than $50, it follows
that duty of more than 663 per cent. on
the foreign or dutible value, is necessary
''to protect the American market" In
addition 10 this, about l5 per cent. must
be added for the various charges of impor-
tation; so that the actual protection asked
by these modest Pennsylvania iron men,
is more than 80 per cent. upon the dutible
value. In regard to a large part of the
country, our manufacturers enjoy a still
further protection, equal to the expense of
carrying imported iron from the Sea-board
into the interior This expense to Pitts
burg is estimated at SO per ton, and for
d! half that distance 81. If then the iron
masters could have their way, they would
vote themselves protection, of one kind
and another, equal to SS per cent.
! 1t is estimated that 100000 tons of A
merican iron are produced per annum.-
!, Unless the iron masters design that the
proposed duties shall be prohibitory, the
price of this whole mass of domestic iron
must be equal to the dutiable value of the
foreign, (averaging say $50 per ton,) with
$50 dollars added for duty, and SIS for
costs of importation; making an average
of SO per ton. Now, letus see what will
be the effect upon consumers. Twenty
tons of American iron supposed to be
made, gives quotient of $4,000, O,OOO.-
This is the tribute which the farmers and
other consumers of iron are expected to
} pay annually to the iron makers. The
duty on imported, goes into the Treasury;
but the corresponding tax, or embracemen
of price, on the domestic article, goes to
the iron makers.
If any gentleman undertakes to say that
2 the price of iron will not be enhanced to
, an extent equal to 663 per cent. on the
dutiable value, we will not split hairs
: about it, but will deduct $4,000,O0O on ac-
count of such abatement. This will leave
s Sle,000,000 per annun to be paid by the
). consumers TO iron makers; a sum which
the latter deem entirely reasonable and
proper. But if the consumers think Sc
and act accordingly, they deserve to be
: made pack-horses for ever. Let it ever
be remembered that one citizen has nc
2 more right to protection than another; and
that when protection is granted to particu-
lar classes, not for the sake of revenue bu
4 to enrich them at the expense of many, i
d is RANK ROBBERY, and none the less SO be-
: cause perpetrated by the law. No duty
can be said 10 be laid by revenue, which
is in effect prohibitory, or which, 1t is
known, will produce a less revenue than q
lower duty would.
The advantages of cheap iron to the
country can scarcely be conceived. No
only does it enter largely into our raj
roads, steamboats,. ships, houses, telegraph
lines, machinery, &C., but every farmer
every family, in the whole country, re
=. quires more or less OF it continually. |
e is a necessary of life, almost as much a:
bread or the common air. We exemp
tea and coffee from duty because they are
in svch feneral use, and have become ne
Icessary 10 the comfort of the masses. Blu
they are scarcely less necessary than iron
and perhaps not more generally used
# Give us cheap iron, and the country may
be expected to prosper; but burden it with
taxes, and you may make the rich riche
and the poor poorer
1t is now evident that Protectionists in
Il tend to make general onset upon tht
S present tariff at the approaching session o
), Congress. When the duties are enor
Q mously high, they urge the importance o
stability; but when moderate tariff ex
} lists, stability loses its charms, and they
k clamor for a change. We trust that nc
e change will be made, except to adopt
!. sliding scale in the case of iron, agreeably
o to the plans which we presented tht
: other day. Other things are well e
y nough, and it is best to let well enough
alone.