Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-06-22


though no direct or official limitations have
been given of the course of Gen. Taylor's ad.
minstration upon the great questions of the
day, Jet enough is known, if we can credit
the semi official givings-out of the government
organs at Washington, ard the rumoTs in part
based upon Gen. Taylor's own avowal 10 MIR.
Riddle, of Pttsburg, Pa, TO show that one OF
the measures 10 be proposed will be a revision.
and, to some extent, an alteration, of the tariff
of '46, for the avowed purpose of giving ad-
ditional protection to certain branches of Amer
lean industry; more especially the coal and
iron interest of Pennsylvania. We know
that promise Of this kind was made during
the election, in order TO secure that State. We
know. too, that influential Federal papers,
generally understood TO be the organs OF lead
ing members of the Cabinet, advocate this
measure as part of the policy of the admin
istration. In fact, we have little doubt that
if Il power OF the party that now controls the
executive department of the government was
commensurate with its wishes, the conclusion
of the next session of Congress would see us
blessed with restrictive policy. in all it's
length and breadth At present, however,
We will confne our remarks TO what is con-
ceded on all hands to be an alteration desired
by the Taylor party, and which will, per
haps be the first change proposed by tan
additional duty on ron-for the ostensible
purpose of protecting American industry. Now
that the protection of American industry is a
proper and laudabIe object, no one will deny
but we must be allowed to question whether
this is the best method of attaining that desi
fable end
American industry. IN its nrnnnr sense
means, we conceive, the rrhole industry of The
Whole country, not the exclusive interest of ar
exclusive faction. American industry in NORTH
Carolina has just as good right to be pro'ec
ted as American industry in Pennsylvania
yet, under the operation of such policy al
this, it would not only not be protected, bu
would actually be taxed and repressed. Tt
. make this apparent, it is only necessary tc
glance for a moment at the present actua
, position and wants of the State
2 What is now wanted to stimulate the indus
f try and develope the resources of the State, il
] an outlet to market. This outlet is sough
D for by means OF internal improvements Of va
! rious kinds. but chiefly railroads. We are moi
3 now going to NEEDLE with the vexed question
, OF State appropriations for these purposes, il
is enough for US at present to know that these
works have been authorized by law, and All
sought TO be made. Anything that intcrfere'
with their cheap and easy construction is. o
course, so far an injury. The number of miles
of Railroad in this State, for which iron is O.
will be wanted is, say Miles
Wilmington & Raleigh, (re-layiLg,) I6(
E Raleigh & CASTOR do. 90
Central Railroad, (new,) 21C
Charlotte, do 2:
Wilmington & Manchester, DO. ISL
f IS,
All within the State, with the exception OF
part Of the Manchester road, in which we ar
as much interested as if it were SO. Now, ia
ceedingly low estimate.) we have 80 500 ton
r of iron as the total amount necessary. Thi
can be procured, we suppose, at S45 per ton
: 81 .462. 500 in all. Under such tariff as th
iron men want, il would cost $50, total O
$l,950,000, or difference of nearly half
million of dollars, out of which North Caro-
lima would be protected for the benefit of Penn
sylvania These calculations are made some
what hastily, and withou, pretending to accu
racy in the details, yet We feel certain that tn
: relative proportion of prices will be foun
pretty much as we have placed them.
One thing is certain, every dollar that irc
= is enhanced in price, by the operation of thi
4 cause. comes out of the pockets OF the consu
: mer, who is thus far taxed for the protectio
n of the manufacturer To this extent ther
the development of our resources would b
repressed. and the industry of our citizens tai
is ed for the eneft of portion of the peopI
II OF Pennsylvania, who happen to be engage
er IN the manufacture of iron. Would this
! encouraging American industry! We thin
70 not We rather think the industry of Mort
!. Carolina is American industry, quite as niue
e as that OF Pennsylvania; and we see no rea
! son why it should be rendered tributary 10 i
8, and forced to submit to heavy tax for j,
'e benefit
= This is but single item from among hun
dred that might be selected, to show the n:
=, ture OF the protection which political econc
h m'sts OF the Federal school advocate, and
l. whose expense such protection is to be affo
ded. If an accurate synopsis were made
* the amount to which the agricultural interes
~ chiefly located at the South and West, hs
s from time TO time been taxed to afford prote,
e. ton TO Northern manufacturers, pro.ectionis
re in these sections would be like angels visit
few and far between.