The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-28
political.
From The Philadelphia Daily Ne,os.

w q have received the Two llfst DAYS
of the convention of the iron manufacturers which
assembled in Pttsburg Wednesday last, 10 con-
fer upon the of the trade and the proper mea-
sures to be urged upon the attention OF Congress,
in order TO secure that important interest against
the ruinous competition Of foreign countries under
which il is suffering, and which, without more
adequate protection, il has long been apparent il
cannot withstand The convention was well at
tended by manufacturers from Pennsylvania, New
York New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky and
Illinois, embracing many of the most experienced
iron workers in the country; and their delibe,a-
tions seem To have been characterized with ear
nest desire 10 from the national legislature
such action and such only, as will place the iron
interests of the country in their proper position,
and insure the vigorous prosecution OF a homo
trade to supply the wants of home market. The
convention was temporarily organized by choosing
the Hon. C. Myers, Of Clarion county, chairman,
and James o. Willard, of Ohio, secretary; and
then, after the appointment Of a committee to Sc
lect officers for the permanent organization OF the
body, the Hon. Andrew Stewart, of Fayette,
invited TO address the convention; and, in comph-
ance, spoke for nearly an hour upon the import
of developing the great interests OF the coun
try, especially the manufacturing interests, by
which all its hidden resources were brought into
rcquisiton, giving employment to labor, and af-
fording market for all its varied products. But
his remarks were chiefly directed to the necessity
of adequate protection to the iron interests,
and to show how largely labor entered into the
manufacture of iron, citing at the time, many
instances to show how disastrously the present
tariff had affected that interest, and the impossible
ity of the American manufacturer, in view OF the
high price OF American labor successfully COM
pcting under the tariff Of 1916, with the manuac-
turers Of foreign countries and their owpriced
labor Such is but glance at his forceful argu-
ment, and TO which shall have occasion again
to refer, it abounds in those plain and stubborn
facts which go far to illustrate the ruinous working
of the present revenue system.
The committee officers selected the Hon. James
Rodgers, of Ohio, as President; Hon c. Myers OF
Pa, w. p. Robinson of N. j., Jesse Carothers and
John Tassey Of Pittsburg, X. NJ. Briggs of KY,
John Culbertson of Ohio, VIM. ii. Campbell of H.,
j. T. Hodge Of N. Y, Edgar A. Wilson Of Cla-
rion, Vice Presidents; and George means of Cla-
ron J. o. Willard of Ohio j. F. Sterling of Pitts
burg, and M A. Bartolet, Secretaries; which being
approved, and the convention thus organized, nu-
merous memorials and proceedings OF meetings
upon the subject of the iron business and the want
Of adequate protection, were submitted. The COM
mittee on business made lengthy report, review.
ing the state of the iron interests in the several
States, and expressing the belief that the injurious
depression arises from no over amount OF competl-
ton at home, but from the great influx Of the pro-
auctions of other countries under our present low
duties, operating directly upon the labor OF the
country depriving it Of employment, by stopping
the works in operation and influencing indirectly
the agricultural and all other classes of employ
ments They further declare that the tariff of 1876,
however protective of these interests at the time OF
its passage, imperative now protection, and
the principle Of ad rGlOrem duties upon which 1t Is
founded must ever make IL imperative as SuCn q
measure for it affords protection only when protec
tion is not required, and withholds il when II Is;
and believing Legislative action necessary, they re-
solve in accordance with these Views, and further,
that every principle of sound policy points di
recty contrary course than that under the present
revenue system, especially nearly all the value
attached TO iron is dervable from labor, and the
country abundantly able to produce the largest
amount its consumption may demand They fur
Their direct the appointment Of a committee of cor
respondence, prepare address to the people of
the country on the necessities of modification OF
the tariff of 1885, TO collect facts and statistics TO be
laid before Congress- prepare petitions, &c; and
further, the convention approves Of the resolution
Of the State convention of New Jersey, urging upon
Congress such notifications of the tariff shall
again put the iron manufactures Of the country in
operation, and afford employment TO the Thousands
now idle. The report was approved, and the reso-
lutions were 10 be taken up seTIdtim for discus
sion.
The proceedings of Thursday commenced
by a lengthy discussion on a resolution offered by
Mr. King, OF Pennsylvania, recommending that on
pig-meta castings, imported into the country,
worth SIS at the place Of shipment, duty Of IS
per ton be imposed, and on common bar-iron cast
ings, worth above, 8 80 per ton, duty of : l6
and when prices may rise or fall the duty to rise
fall in equal proportion, but never TO be higher
nor lower than certain amount, and correspond
ing duty 10 be levied on all other descriptions of
manufactured iron. variety Of views were adj
yanced in the discussion Hon. Andrew Stewart and
others taking strong ground in favor of the sliding
scale while others again We're opposed 10 reoorn
mending any particular measure 20 Congress,
thinking il would be better To lay before them a
plain statement OF the runous condition of the trade,
and urging that adequate protection be afforded.
IL was finally moved 10 recommit the resolution to
the business committee, but that being negatived,
IL was for the time passed by informally. The
vention was then occupied for a considerable time
in appointing various committees, viz Stats
tics, one from each State, to memorabilia Con-
gress, &c.
Rsl,re the adjournment Mr. Stewart Offered a
resolution which adopted, setting forth that the
convention, while laboring 20 obtain adequate pro-
lection To the iron interests Of the nation will
ing give their aid and cooperation in obtaining
ample protection by specific duties 10 all other grea
industrial interests Of our commerce and industry
The convention probably adjourned on Friday
If So shall receive the conclusion Of their pro
ceedings to-day and shall hereafter present more
complete summary Of their doings
The Opposition press asserted shortly after the
Presidential election, that the result test OF
the Wing strength, and that General Taylor owed
his election 10 his great personal popularity. They
take the ground that the recent elections,
wherein the Wing vote has fallen of compared
with the vote for Taylor shoto that the people haze
lost confidence in the PresidenG The two positions
are inconsistent. II the Docofocos stick 20 their
position. then they must admit that President Tay-
Tor was elected solely by Wing votes, for by this
assumption only the results Of the recent cleo.
ton be construed into a reputation Of the Admin.
istration.
The fact il, the recent elections do not indicate
the popular feeling in regard 10 the Adminstra-
ton. General Taylor undoubtedly received the
votes Of thousands Of individually who take but lit
tie interest in politics-not sufficient vote at the
State elections-but who aroused from their
apathy by a conviction that change required
which would place at the head Of The Government
an honest and upright man, instead Of an intrgu-
ing and ambitious politician This class Of indvid-
uals, seeing their object accomplished, and un-
mindful Of the importance Of backing their favorite
candidate with majority in Congress, or by the
indirect influence Of an administration majority in
the State elections, have rclapsed into their
TONED apathy. The struggle in the State elections
il now strictly between the active Wings and Dem
ocrat; and comparing the votes this year with
those Of ls47, the Wings have no reason 10 com
plain at the result Of the elections.
We believe that the confidence Of the people in
the President Is mistaken, and that were another
Presidential election held To- morrow, hc would b,
aoain returned 10 the chair which be has 80 honor
ably filled. The efforts Of the Opposition 90 MAKE
n appear that President Taylor has become unpop
lsr will fail 10 carry conviction, unless supported
by more convincing arguments than those based
on the resUlts Of the elections Of lSi9.-Bost Jour.
A Wonder.