Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-12-22

and was willing to favor the railroad project
Df the west, but this resolution is antagonis-
lical to what we seek Ii the tax is taken off |
Of iron it will be increased on something else,
The government in making out its estimate
viii make it in proportion to the amount OF
duties it throws off, If the duty be reduced
on railroad iron the government will make a
deduction of so much land as the amount OF
duty deducted.
twill also array the manufacturers of iron
against us and with their influence against
US we cannot procure rail road grants.
The democratic policy of equal protection
would be violated aud we be guilty Of a breach
Of faith towards the iron interests If after OBJ.
tanning land to aid in the projects, the railroad
interests having Il majority in Congress, should
carry out the object of this resolution.
Let us 20 to Congress with an open hand but
not seek to overturn the settled policy of the
Government.
1t is an attack upon the interests of Pennsyl-
yaria and other sister States.
And tcsides this it would produce defci-
cncy of four millions Of revenue if we should
succeed in the object sought by this resolution
How is this deficiency to bc made up. If these
rich companies are to be released from
their equal share of the indirect taxes laid
upon importations it necessarily must be made
nm by direct taxes on others, upon poor peo-
NE. Let us reduce the duties upon coffee, tea,
rice, upon cotton &c. Let us reduce the duties
upon the steel that makes the p'ow share and
pruning hook. T..
There is more reasons iny educing the du'
ties on those articles in common use among
the rich and the poor, than upon railroad iron
bought only by wealthy capitalists. AS great
blessings as railroads are. they. are great mo-
nopolies-transcendaptly wealthy and power
- 49, ll..sa . duties on conee
!. =. -.......~ ~ ts,c poor 10 favor them!
Fyzl6c Michigan railroads are owned ty million
ares of Boston Il other Eastern city land Europe
an capitalists. But let us come the Illinois
central railroad. Is any portion OF that road
owned by the pioneers Of the west! II am
not mistaken that road is owned by New York
and Boston capitalists. 1t is owned by mil
ionares; Il we ofthe west have no interest In II
except to have it built which the millionares
are bound to do whether they pay this duty
on iron or not
The La Sale and Rock Island road believe,
is an exception This believe is in the hands
of both Eastern and Western men. But DEFY
any man to show me a railroad. other than this
that is not in the hands Of millionares: Now
in acting upon this question We should act on
the broad national principles, and not upon
selfish motives. And he asserted thai III Vot'
ing for this resolution, We are voting to take
large sum of money out Of the United States
lTeHsuTN u pun ~ sb to~"SsS ~
wealthy rail road companies.
The moment We remit the duty on rail road
iron we legslate SO much money into the
pockets Of the stockholders Of the Central rail
road company Of Illinois, say 81 $780, 900, and
of the La Sale and Rock Island company, in
the neighborhood Of $4,000, and immense
sums into the pockets of other eastern railroad
companies.
We will see an anomily in voting on this
Question W. oh al Ian,nc Mt least
voting seemingly for protection, and - good
and lsyal wings voting against protection in
violation of the principle that the high.
or The duty the cheaper the goods, he wished
in this vote they would sustain the Prin.
ciplc they had alt fought for, and although
they and he should come to the same conclu-
conclusion from different reasonings: still
vote was vote no matter what reasoning may
induce them to cast their vote as he did on this
question. He said he would conclndc
with the single remark that it would be better
itthis question had not been urged upon the
house at the present time. He could see no
reason why it should be doce.
Mr. GRASr said in reply 10 MIR FOLSOM
don't know but what should congratulate
my whig friends that the mantle OF the wing
partyshould have been transferred from the
wings 10 the gentleman from Johnson. ! VIII
commence where the gentleman left Oft. viii
state that duty saved on railroad non would be
4aS " 95sfhs a faR is ff Is q
swell the revenue by keeping up or increasing
the duty on imports, my doctrine is that the
revenue should be kept down. The gentleman
argues that the principal revenues are derived
from rail road iron This is not SO. Tne dity on
silk alone il l millions and the duty on WOOL
en- goods the same
Aly doctrine is that the tar If should be laid for
revenue only. The importation of railroad iroa
would enc urage the consumption OF other
iron that Is manufactured ia this country. One
half the iron uscl for railroads is used for 9TH
cr purposes than rails. ! understand the gen.
tleman to say that compact exists between
Pennsylvania not to disturb the tariff OF lS45.
Where is this compact, when was it entered
into? Aud he says it we disregard this COM
pact. Pennsylvania will be againt Us. Well in
rel " will say that our members in Congress
have faccl that muec heretofore, and but
three votes could be got from the state Of Penn
sylvania favorable TO oar railroad interests.
The policy pursued by your representatives
has been to urge upon Congress their rights.
The government being a great land owner
onght to give the alternate sections in order to
enhance the price of the remaining lands.
! ask the gentleman if they cannot buy their
iron and build their road at less expense-it
they will not carry on those rail road improve
mcnts cheaper, if we succeed in getting what
this resolution asks? The gentleman IS IN
favor of reduction of the duties on tea, coffee,
salt and steel, now can inform the gentleman
that the article of tea and coffee is not in the
tariff of lei6.
The rest of Mr. Grants remarks could not be
heard with sufficient distinctncss to render in.
to even an abstract report-such as given a
hove. The crowd and confusion in the hal
was great. all anxious to hear the. discussion
of these alb 'orbins questions, touching our rail
road interests.
Mr. Folsom made brief reply which princi
patty referred to classic illusions ELECTED dur
ing the debate, and nothing less then the steno-
graphic art could give its force or effect.
Mr. Sells intimated that he desired to
give his views on this question.
After which the committee rose reported
progress and asked leave to sit again which
was granted.
On motion the House adjourned until to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
SENATE.