New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-18
Condition and Prospects Of American
Manufactures.

We frequently find in journals hostile to
the Protective policy assertions that the
Manufactures of this Country are now
prosperous, active and rapidly extending |!
In the remote West and South, these as
sertions are usually more direct, positive,
and circumstantial than elsewhere. A Free
Trade journal in Illinois or Arkansas does
not scruple to assure its readers that the
Manufactures of New.England are fully at
work and that they are making large divi'
dends for their stockholders. If any one
cut of hundred companies happens to
make good dividend, this is trumpeted
through the land in support of the aforesaid
statements, Wilde the ninety-nine that make
little or nothing, and the dozens that have
failed, are never spoken of.
We have seen, in journals that should
know better, the fact that LAWRENCE has
grown up under the Tariff Of lS46. and
done fairly, cited as evidence that this
Tariff il adequate, or that Manufactures can
be successfully established and prosecuted
under IT, The whole truth would not sus-
tain this representation. Lawrence is q
product of the Tariff of lS42, but for which
it would not have existed. 1t was planned,
the requisite capital secured, and it, con.
! .truetiou rendered inevitable under that
Tariff, which was soon after repealed !;
but the projectors, having now combined
in its prosecution ample means, tho ripest
experience and most eminent ability, and
being obliged to 60 on or encounter heavy
loss on their purchases Of lands, &C., re-
solved to 60 ahead. The Bay State Mills
were erected, and were, by fortunate
decision, devoted to the fabrication Of
Shawls, whereof few had previously been
made in this country. The company de-
vissd and executed Improvements on any
European machinery for the production Of
Shawls, and were enabled to furnish good
article at low price; whereby they have
done well. saving at least two dollars for the
country for every one they have made for
themselves. But though the bay State
Mills running mainly on Shawls, have
prospered, Lawrence 10 nevertheless to this
day . city Of magnificent distances The
water.power there obtained at heavy ex-
pense is not half used, simply because no
one can use it at profit. And ii the men
who founded Lawrence don't know how to
use that powes t. advantage, we don't know
who could do it, Yet Lawrence is the
focus Of q net. work of Railroads, is an hours
ride from Boston, near the head Of naviga-
ton ON the Merrimac, and is every way
most eligibly situated for manufacturing :,
except that it is under the influence OF the
Tariff Of '46.
hoLyoKE. formerly Hadley Falls, Mass,
on the Connecticut, is the only other great
Manufacturing enterprise within our knowl-
edge which has been prosecuted from its
inception under the Tariff of &c. This.
too, vas projected and the carital
secured under that of AZ, leaving
those interested no other alternative after
1876 but to go on or submit to heavy loss
on their engagements already made; so
shsy went ahead. They have by far the
finest watsr-powsr yet improved in New
England, and have erected thereon several
Of the largest and finest factories, extern
sive machine. shor, &c. 60. They ara