Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-02-22


dent which may be very reasonably urged, and one that
would be entitled the consideration of the Senate. But
this is not like any which has arisen which likely
arise. It is railroad of great importance, connecting the
Southern with the Northern lines of communication by rail-
road This road will continue the Virginia works of inn
povsmen,. As said before, about ons-half Of the iron
which has been contracted for has been brought and
the duties paid for it, but the company have not sufficient
means to pay the duties of the remainder which has
imported. think the Senator from Pennsylvania cannot
resist such q case.
Mr. COOPER. feel bound, Notwithstanding the appeal
made by the Senator from Tennessee resist far is
in nv power the passage of this bill. Sir the company
have no doubt rich and powerful sompany-whose interests
would be promoted by these provisions endure the hard
ship Of which the Senator complains much better than the
Of endure the hardshps which they
enduring from day to day. and from TO year. under
the present laws OF the country. II the Senator
was aware Of the prosaton of that interest in Pennsy
vsna, which is Of the greatest interests and affects Incl
dentsly all other interests he would complain of the
comparatively le hardships which this company has to
endure.
Sir than one-half of the furnaces which were in
blast in Pennsylvania in ls4s have ceased operations
altogether and the quantity of iron manufactured has been
reduced in still larger proportions great number of the
hands then employed idle they find nothing to
do, nothing wheewilh support themselves. But this
pany, rich. have doubt In resources 6nd the
to pay the amount Of duties There banks money is
plenty, and they to loan in order pay the
duties But surely, in the PROSTATE condition of this great
interesgreat many Of the States and important in
of hem-nothing ought be done increase foreign fac
ties to overwhem with the products Of labor less than
half paid and which results almost in the starvation of those
employed trust that this body and the other house of
Congress will hesitate long before they increase the difficult
ties which exist, owing to the facility which the law
allows to overflow this country with foreign PRODUCTS cspe-
caly when have the means among ourselves excluding
labor which have cheap supply the country and
furnish market which foreign countries do not afford to
agricultural products -
Mr.. DAWSON. regret that my friend from Pennsylva-
mia should bring in the tariff question upon proposition Of
this kind II rather an unpleasant mode of discussing this
question: produce unknd feelings in any section Of the
country towards the manufacturing interests Now, what is
this proposition Merely to extend the time of paying the
duties upon railroad iron imported into this country, and inn
ported for whom Not for moneyed aristocracy, the
gentleman suppose not for capitalists but for the benefit of
portions Of the States OF Georgia and Tennessee through
mountain region where there is little wealth. and where this
Internal improvement will be consummaed by the industry of
the themselves who have taken the stock in the road
This road will open channel directly up to the Senator's
State, by which his iron be sent down cheaply, and
hope cheapy supesede the necessity Of foreign i'm
portation. Why, if asked to be relieved from the pay
ment Of duties bis argument might be good for that would
constitute free trade it would permit article to be brought
in from foreign country without taxation. But that is not
the proposition. 1t is simply asking little delay to relieve
these stockholders who planters in that section Of the
country from paying down the money, when all the money
they have is to be expended in the construction of the
road and the purchase of iron.
think there is not Senator from any Of the Western
States to which have given much public lands 10 build
railroads. who will oppose this proposition One Of the States
asks you give them nothing but only asks to give her
little indulgence. 1t is Of the most just propositions
is asking nothing from the Government but extension OF
time The Government will not lose dollar The whole
of the duties will finally into the treasuy and sub
NIT the Senator whether it will aid Pennsylvania iron or
those FORCES and furnaces which have stopped prevent
the granting Of this indulgence Will operate benefcaly
to the manufacturing interests On the contrary, the agr
cultural interests which deeply connected with these
improvements through the western mountains Of Tennessee
will feel unkindness the part Of the manufacturing
eress and will create feeling among the planting nte
of this country unknd the manufacturing interests
this argument proceeds the policy that misery delights
in having comparisons and that because the manufacturing
interest oppressed you will Cypress the agricultural interest
know the Senator does not intend this but that would be
the practical result Of this denial Of justice and indulgence to
that section OF the country.
The object is 10 harmonic all the interests OF this country
and do justice all do that this opposition will
be Withdrawn, and that this indulgence will be granted, and
that Georgia and Tennessee may their railroads up Rto
Virginia and Pennsylvania that may get railroad iron
and other from the State of Pennsylvania cheaper than
get by diminishing prices the furnaces there,
but by diminishing the cost Of transportation will increase
the consumption of Pennsylvania ton and perhaps put fire
again into FORCES and furnaces The better plan will be to
unite and harmonze together for those interests you expect
Us to protect yours.
Mr.. PEARCE. 1t seems to me to be wrong in principle
to allow relaxation Of the general system Of laws
in favor of corporation association and deny to
lar corporations ana aSSoclaOns ne otate OF maryland
has railroad which among the mountains, and which
would be quite worthy of this relaxation the railroad in
favor of which it is proposed to be made opposed
to all such extraordinary beray the part Of the Govern
ment. think is duty to be extraordinarily ibe
rail- you make exception in favor Of this road it is par
hal and if it is partial it is unjust Your laws should
be equal while they liberal they should apply to as
well anoher and therefore you change the revenue law
In regard to one company internal improvement do
not see how you avoid disregadng the general rules
which every Senator suppose deems it his duty observe
to extend this relation to single company wish to test
the sense Of the Senate the propey Of partial lega
ton which think is always unjust legislation therefore
amend the first section Of the bill by striking the
words " Of the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Com
pany in the construction Of their road, and inserting
For the railroad the United States and which
shall be intended to be employed in the construction OF
such road" =7
That will give equal justice to all similar roads in the Uni
ted States.
The section if thus amended will read follows
hat the Secretary Of the Treasury be and he hereby
authorized and directed to allow credit of four years for
the amount OF duty which upon the importation of
railroad iron for the Of railroad the Uned States
and which shall be intended be employed the consue
ton OF such road Prouded That the said company
shall give bond with approved secury be approved by
the Judge OF the United States tor the district Of East Ten
by the collector Of the port which such rail-
road iron may be imported for the payment of such amount
Of duty"
Mr.. CLAY. think this has come rather negu-
arly before and that acting upon it with the
caution which ought be observed important
to the public revenue. What is the of the case The
bill presented it referred to the Committee Finance,
and that committee reports adversely the BILL and
mends that be rejected The bill hen laid on the table,
ing and to take up the bill The bill is taken up, and
that Senator offers amendment by which he supposes