The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05
r Fl L r E P u Bill C .
SPEECH
HON. SAM,L CALVIN. OE PEN
OF THE

OF THE
HON. sAM'L CALVIN, OF PENN,
On The reference of tie Presidents Message, and M.
correspondence Of Sir Henry Lytton BtlDer accom-
pdnying the same, on The subject of the Tariff OF
1916, deiiUered in the House of Representatives. of
the United States, May Is, 1850.
Mr.. CALVIN rose and said: regard, sir, the
British government as aiming blow in this
pondence at the great industrial interests of this
country generally, but more particularly at the
great iron and coal interests of Pennsylvania. And
sir, as have the honor to represent this floor
what has been justly called the 'Iron district OF
my native State, will ask the indulgence of the
House, whilst submit few reparks upon these
two SUBJECTS In connection with this extraordinary
correspondence.
IL Is well known, sir, TO you and to this House,
that Pennsylvania ia rich in mineral resources; that
her mountains are full of iron and coal; that she
has great water power; that large portion of her
Immense capital Is invested in the mining of coal
and in the manufacture of iron; and that still
larger portion OF her hardy industrious, and intel
ligent population depend upon these two great in
terests for support and for the education and main
tenance OF their families II is also well known
that for the purpose of carrying her coal and iron,
and other productions to market she has nearly
completed the most stupendous system of internal
improvements to be found on this continent. In
the construction of canals and railroads. she, and
the Incorporated companies within her limits have
expended between one and two hundred millions
of dollars.
In view of this state of facts, presume it will
not be deemed extraordinary that this correspond
encc has attracted the attention, and excited the
Indignation of her people.
Under the influence of the protective policy-a
policy coeva with the earliest legislation under the
Constitution but the foundations of which not
fully laid till the passage of the act of lSl6these
two great interests were, generally speaking pros
porous, until, under the operation of the compro-
mise tariff OF 1893, by which the duties grad
ualy let down lower and lower till they reached a
horizontal level OF twenty per cent. ad paoren, they
were utterly prostrated and overwhelmed by the
tide OF competition of foreign labor This great
State with her mighty resources and energies, was
sinitten as by paraysslay PROSTATE like the huge
giant, bound, manacled. Bankruptcy and ruin
covered the whole State as with a pail. Individu
ais, companies, corporations, the State herself, all
were bankrupt. To use the expressive language of
my venerable friend from Ohio, Mr.. CoRwIN, s'we
were insovent generally" Such was the condi-
ton of Pennsylvania at the date of the tariff act of
1912. But, under the benign influence of that law
these great interests awoke as from the dead, and
sprang forth with the freshness and vigor of life
Manufactures, commerce, agriculture, revived;
this great State was again upon her feet and again
entered upon her proud career of prosperity and
power.
But this of things was destined to be of short
continuance. The Presidential campaign of 1874
was approaching The Baltimore convention met,
and Mr.. Van Buren, for the only honest act of his
political life, perhaps, decapiated, and James
X. Polk, Of Tennessee, was selected as the candi-
date of the Democratic party. II is not necessary
was well known that Pennsy lvania had always
been attached without distinction of party, to the
protective policy, and that she was especially
friendly to the tariff of 1912, which had just lifted
her up from general bankruptcy and ruin TO a state
of prosperity and happiness Then, as now, it was
generally beved that no candidate could reach the
Chief Magisracy of this great country against whom
Pennsylvania might cast her electoral vote Ii was
therefore deemed important by the Democratic
party to secure that vote; and, sir, how this
accomplished? Why, sir, we were assured by all
the leading journals, and by all the small journals,
by all the great politicians, including Mr.. buchanan
and Mr. Dallas and by all the little politicians of the
modern Democratic party, from end of the State
To the other, that Mr.. Polk was "better tariff man
than Mr.. Clay" and that ''the Democratic tariff of
lS42' would be safer in the hands of Mr. Polk than
in those of the great author Of the American sys-
tenn. Wewere also assured, in certain Kane let
ter that Mr. Polk in favor Of protecting all the
great industrial interests of the country, including
commerce, agriculture, and manufactures And
we were still further assured, as all will remember
by "Mr. Folks near neghbor," )" that he was ''the
especial friend Of the great coal and iron interests
Of Pennsylvania" And, if this were not enough,
"Pok, Dallas, Skunk, and the Democratic Tariff
of 1912" was spread out in large letters upon the
Democratic banners, and carried at the head of the
Democratic professions. Well, sir, Pennsylvania
believed these representations; she cast her vote for
James N. Polk and George Nj. Dallas, and the IL
ustrious statesman Of the West was defeated
Among the fret acts of the newly elected Presi-
dent was the selection Of James Buchanan OF Penn
sylvania, as his Secretary of State, and Robert J.
Walker, native OF Penns ylvania, his Secretary
Of the Treasury Did not this look like Of
the redemption OF the pledges which had been given
10 US?
Well, sir, Mr.. Walker entered upon the duties Of
his ofhce-upon his great task of reform, upon his
great labor Of love and were assured you will
remember, that he aborcd hard; that violent was
the action Of his powerful intellect upon weak
frame, he frequently known to faint in
the midst of his tolls We are told, sir, that all
things earthly must have an end and these labors
were at last brought TO a conclusion. And what
was their result? Although not single petition,
believe, had been sent up from any part Of this
great country, asking for any change in the reve-
nue. policy OF the Government, "and least Of all
such change as he gave u.s." this great fnancier
resolved 10 change that whole policy. Disregard
ing the example of this Government from its ear
liest history, and the example ofall civilized gov
erDments, pouring contempt upon the wisdom and
experience Of the past, he repudiated the great
principle of specific duties, rejected il unworthy
place in his wonderful plan of financial reform,
and substituted the ad paiorem principle, and with
"A foreign valuation In a word, sir We had, as the
offspring Of these extraordinary labors, the tariff
act OF 1916, and the profoundly learned report upon
finance and revenue which accompanied IT,
This sir, is not the proper time for the discus
sion, at any length, of the merits rather demer-
its, Of this act Of 1896 trust may have another
opportunity before Congress shall adjourn, Of en-
tering more extensively upon this subject. Suffice
II TO say, at this me that this act has three promi
nent characteristics In the first place. il DESTROYS
American shipping and American commerce. and
builds up and promotes British shipping and Brit
ish commerce. lts second characteristic is that
offers premiums, holds out rewards TO perjury and
every species OF fraud and vllainy upon the reye-
nue. OF the conntry. It's third not less distinguish
ing characteristic, is, that il gives protection TO
American industry when il is needed, and with.
draws from Il all protection at the very moment
when II ~ needed at the very moment when,
about 20 be overwhelmed by the competition Of
foreign labor, it is extending its supplicang hands
20 the Government for relief TO save il from utter
ruin.
The consequences of this measure were distinct
y toreseen and foretold at the time Of its passage
and although, in consequence OF the extraordinary
state OF things existing in Europe at that time and
for some time afterwards, the evil day came not so
SO soon as was expected, the night is now upon u.s.
with all its darkness. The railroad mania, which
prevailed all over the continent of Europe and the
famine, which was not less prevalent in that same
region of the world, postponed for season the per-
nicious consequences of this measure, but now they
arc upon us in all their blighting power confne
my remarks TO the iron and coal interests of Penn
sylvana, leaving to other and abler hands TO show
the condition OF the other great industrial interests
OF the country. The coal mines Of our State in
which millions of capital have been invested, have
been rendered unproductive, Improbable. Some
have been sold by the sheriff others abandoned 10
dilapidatlon and ruin. | am informed that tho