New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-19
& Cry for .IuAiice.

& Cry for Justice.
The Mechanics, Artisans and Laborers
Of WILLIAMSBURG submit to Congress the
following simple but forcible expose Of the
injustice and suicidal effect of the present
Tariff il imposing, among other discrimina-
tons agains. American and in favor Of
Foreign Labor, duty Of Airtyper cent. on
raw Hemp, which is the staple of a most
extensive manufacture Of Cordage, Rope,
&c. at that place while the Foreign-made
Cordage. &c, which completes directly with
ours in our own markets, are admitted at
Twenty-Five per cent. Ut is the same with
Wooden Blankets and some other import
ant Manufactures.
We do not know that we can encourage
the Artisans of WILLIAMSBURG to hope for
correction Of this gross wrong, bat we
do know that it 0pght Ia be corrected. The
worst feature in the case, is that those who
perpetrated and still uphold this injustice
Will not even attempt to defend it. When
pressed for explanation or apology they
maintain stubborn silence. We offered
resolution Of inquiry when in Congress,
simply asking the principal author Of the
present Tariff (Hon. Robert J. Waker) to
state why this discrimination against Home
Industry was made and what reasons Of
principle or policy demand its continuance
The friends of Mr.. Walker and his Tariff
rallied ard voted down this simple propo-
sition Of inquiry, at first by tie vote, and
afTerward (haying escaped the Yeas and
Nays by majority. One of them said
they were ready to give the reasons for
such discrimination at a proper Tine but
two years have since elapsed, and no
reasons are yet forthcoming. When shall
we have them?
The following is the Williamsbursh
Memorials
1o he Honorable the Members Of the Senate and Hosse oj
The undersigned, residents of WiIiamsburgh
and Its vicinity respectfully represent, that the
present tariff on imported cordage and rope manu-.
| featured OF hemp, is extremely unjust aud de-.
structlye to the interests OF large class Of Ameri.
can laborers. The duty on imported hemp, under
the act of 1916, is 80 per cent ad valorem, while
cordage, under which is included the half manu-
featured yarn, extensively used in our factories
for the manufacture of rope,l and the fully manu-.
featured article, are imported at p per cent The
effect OF this is TO discourage the manufacture, and
| consequently the growth Of the article at home,
There are in the immediate vicinity of this village
many large factories, making, in the aggregate,
| from 10000 20 10000 tuns OF cordage annually
| Up TO l347, the time when the present tariff be,
| gan practically to injure the American laborer,
| these establishments manufactured their cordage
! almost exclusively by American labor. Upon the
! passage OF this law, which, in effect offered q
| premium Of - on hundred for its manufacture
In foreign countries, large quantities OF yarn, spun
so as to need but little labor to completeits manu-
| facture, Were imported into this country Since
| that time, there has been a yearly and constant
increase OF its Importation, running the interests
| and business of thousands of American laborers
and threatening to eXtinguish entirely this branch
| of American industry. Three .fourths of the work
men have been already driven from employment
and the few who still remain, have only an irregu
lar employment, averaging not over seven
months in the year. They are mainly EN-
ployed for filing the time when the business is
extremely active, or when the Winter season
shuts out import alton. Russian serfs are fast
driving our laborers out of employment. We be
| lieve that legislation should encourage American
labor. In behalf Of hundreds of injured laborers
in this vicinity, aud of tens Of h0usa engaged
in this branch of industry throughout the United
States we respectfully solicit your honorable body
to amend this law, SO as to protect the rights O
| American labor.
Hlltan&buygh, J.. l. Dec, 1880.