The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-09
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION
THURspAY, August 5, 1850
SENATE

raj counties IN fennsylVanla, praying Tor modlh
cation OF the existing tariff laws, signed by over
two thousand persons. The petition set forth
that there Is great distress prevailing everywhere
throughout the State, especially among those en-.
gagged in mining coal and the manufacture o
| IRON From evidence that had be- en- furnished him
he could State confidently to the Senate that near.
y one half Of the number OF furnaces that were in
operation in Pennsylvania at the close Of 1917 have
now blown out altogether in consequence of the in
adequacy OF the prices 10 be obtained for iron. The
production is now less than half of what il was
at the time TO which he had referred; although per-
haps more than majority of the whole number OF
furnaces and iorges may be still in operation, he
still would say confidently, that not half Of the
quantity OF iron Is produced now which was pro-
duced at the period mentioned, The consequence
is that very large number of people who derive
their subsistence from labor in the furnaces, torges
and boundaries OF the State, are now out of employ
nent, and many of them III state of absolute des
tuition The consequences of the diminution in
the production OF iron Is not felt among those en-
gagged IN that department OF industry alone, but is
felt also, and that severely, among those engaged
in mining coal and other Industrial occupations
II is known 60 the Senate that in late years very
large quantity of anthracite jal has been con
sumed in the furnaces and forges in operation in
the eastern part OF the state. The demand for coal
for this purpose, has fallen of within the last two
years nearly, if not altogether, one-haf and the
consequence ID that those engaged in that branch
Of our industry in Pennsy vania arc out Of employ
ment, and TO a great extent without the means
of subsistence. They cannot take themselves to
other empoyments, for the men who engaged
III the manufacture of iron and the mining OF coal
have been brought up to that particular branch Of
business; il is their trade, and they are disqualified
| for other occupations
But there were other branches oil industry de
pendant upon protection or tosone extent upon pro-
lection for their success which have also gone down
have greatly curtaied their operations. This is
especially the with the recently established cot
ton mills and manufactures of Pennsylvania He
presumed the Senate was aware that duringthe last
two three years, Il large number of cotton mills
have been erected and have gone into operation in
that State. They have lately, III great measure,
ceased operations-sOme of them entirely and 9th
ers PARTIAL y-and the consequence is that the PEG
pie formerly employed III manufacturing iron and
mining coal cannot resort to the cotton mills, nor
to agriculture for the of subsistence for the
first, he lad stated, have to considerable extent
gone out of operation, and the markets for the lat
ter have been largely diminished by the reduction
OF the production OF these articles of iron coal and
cotton fabrics, to which he had referred.
There Is therefore, as the memorialists state, a
degree OF suffering prevalent among them which
has not existed at any period within many years
past-not even in 1872 previously TO the passage OF
the act known as the Tariff act of that year They
pray Congress that come modification of the pres
ent act may take place at the present session They
do not ask for the repeal of the act of 1916; but
they ask that what was the intention of the fra
of that act may be carried into effect, and that
they may have such protection as il was des gned
10 afford al that time They state that, owing to
this condition of affairs at home and abroad, the
provisions of that act, sufficient at the time ceased
to be So at present, and for some time past; and
they ask that Congress may take up the subject
and put them in the position in which 1t de
signed TO place them at the time the act OF 1916
passed. They set forth many iacts that import.
ant to every Senator and member of Congress de-
sirous TO make up correct Judgment on the sub
ject; but he would not detain the Senate now with
a recapiuaton Of all that il stated in the memori-
ais, and in the letters of intelligent gentlemen ac-
companying them. 1t was sufficient TO ga that the
state Of things existing abroad, especially the
continent of Europe has brought down the price OF
iron in England to point lower than il has ever
been before, except on one single occasion. He did
not think that II was necessary to advert to them,
for itwould be at understood to what he refer
| red, namely, the revolutions there the abandon
ment Of the contracts for making railroads, with
/ which the whole continent checkered over.
This state Of things has obliged England to sci
her iron at these low rates, and great amounts of
have been thrown in upon Iron is now manu-
featured there at S22 S23, s2i SIS, $40, anc
S2i per ton, according 10 quality, and sent here
thus breaking down establishments, and tax
, ing employment and bread from the American la
bOrer. The memoriallsts state that, If this condi
ton Of things prevail for great while, there viii
be a general cessation Of operations in the iron
manufacture Of this country except in certain IA
vored localities; and that the consequence will b.
that all competition between the foreign and dUmes-
tic producer will cease, and that, eventually, in the
course Of year or eighteen months, consumers
Will be obliged 10 pay more for the iron usod by
them than they would do under duty which
would afford just protection 10 the domestic pro
Queer. The history Of the iron manufacture oil
this country proves the fact that when England
I supplies the " hole quantity, We pay the highest
prices for iron. He desi ed 10 detan the Senate no
longer, and moved that the memorials be referred
10 the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. STURGEON made some remarks and then
the petitions were referred.
TIE TEXAN soUSDABY.
pEApCE tpova1 nj a., r.,..sat..l
10 the consideration OF the bill proposing TO the
State of Texas the establishment Of her northern
and western boundaries, and the relinquishmcnt
by the said State Of all territory claimed by her
exterior TO said boundaries, and Of all her claim
upon the United States.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD being entitled 20 the floor,
said that as there were but a few minutes of the
morning hour left, be desired To know whether, in
case be resumed his argument on this BILL he
would be obliged 20 yield the floor when the hour
arrived for taking Up the California bill2
The PRESIDENT replied in the negative
Mr. UNDERWOOD then resumed the speech
commenced by him yesterday, going into de-
tailed examination 81 maps, records, and docu-
mcnts, 10 show that Texas had no title 10 the terri
tory In dispute. lie came 20 the conclusion that
Texas had no title 81 what 10 vas proposed 10 paw
her Tor. lie examined the question Of the oblga.
ton on the United States 10 pay the bonds Of Texas
for which she had pledged her revenues re denied
that there was any such obligation on the Govern
ment And If there were, he considered the sum
Hfppfrel 70 NC fANdNhgHnt IN the extreme. He
could not vote for the I'LL unless IL were amended
in important particulars. he considered the cues.
ton one entirely Of dollars and ocuts and IT, set
element had nothing 10 DO with a restoration Of
pescc and harmony 10 the country on the subject
Ofslayery.
Mr.. EWING proposed three slnendmonts 10 the
bill, bot withdrew them NJ the request Of
Mr.. PEARCE, who moved 10 amend the last acc.
ton Of the bill, which now reads thus
Fifth. Immediately after the President Of o..
United States shall have been furnished with an
authentic copy Of the act Of the General Assembly
OF Texas accepting these propositions, he shall
cHuse the stock 60 BE- issued favor Of the State Of
TeEss provided for in the fourth article Of ths
agreement PrOUidsd niso. That five millions Of sid
stock shall not hc issued until the creditors Of the
State ui Texas, holding bonds of Texas for which
duties ON imports specially pledged shall first
hle, NJ the treasury Of the United States releases
Of all claim against the United States for or on &C
count Of, said bOnds
by striking out all after the words "provded also :"
and insert In lieu thereof the following:
"Tbat no more than 1--WE millions of said stock
shall be Issued until the creditors Of the State hold
ing bonds and other certificates Of stock Of Texas
Tor which duties on imports specially pledged
shall hrst file st the treasury Of the United states
releases Of all claim against the United States for
or account Of said bonds or certificates in such
form ~ sbal be prescribed by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, and approved by the President Of the
United States"
After debate, by Mossrs. UNDERWOOD.