Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-31
CREDIT ON RAILROAD. IRON.

man, of this State a few days since, in the House
of Representatives, in support of his proposition to
give credit to importers of railroad iron:
Mr.. CLrNGMAN. ask leave to Introduce bill en-
titled A bill to give credit to importers of railroad
iron - of which previous notice has been given.
There objection, and the bill was read a
first and second time by its title.
Mr.. CLINGMAN. This is a subject Mr.. Speaker,
which we frequently had before the last Congress,
but which was not acted upon do not know what
is the present feeling of this House, but I think
there is strong necessity for the passage of such
law at this time. In the last Congress it may per-
haps, be remembered that the proposition failed by
single vote on one occasion. At that time there
were five members out of the House who had prom
ised me on the previous day that they would be
present to vote for the proposition only mention
this fact to show it was mere accident that pro-
vision similar to the of the bill submit did not
take effect at the last Congress.
You will also recollect Mr.. Speaker that during
the last Congress we allowed several companies cred
it the terms proposed in this bill but did not
succeed in passing any general law. 1t is simple
matter, and presume that every member of the
House has an opinion upon it
beg leave to remind gentlemen, that within the
last eighteen months there has been enormous
rise in the price of railroad IRON Less than two
years ago it could be had for forty dollars per ton in
this country, after paying all the duties and charges
and now it is worth nearly eighty dollars per ton to
the consumer here. The consequence is, that many
of the States and companies which began to execute
works with sufficient capital two years ago, find
ing to this great rse that it is difficult if not impos
slbe, for them to proceed.
1 also understand, Mr. Speaker, that the money is
not needed at this time in the Treasury. We have
large surplus on hand My bill proposes a credit
of four years. In all probability at the end of that
period the Government may need the money very
much. If the duty goes into the Treasury now, in
stead of what propose, it will be expended before
that time, when it may be wanted.
think therefore, as financial measure, it would
be wise policy to throw the receipt of this money
four years ahead leaving the present surplus in the
hoo Tod
tonal vessels, or for any other purpose which the
House may propose; and if it turns ouf that at the
end of four years, are involved in some war
and we getting to be warlike people, and need
all the means we can lay our hands upon-this mon
ey will come in very OPPORTUNITY. L think it would
have been WE'LL perhaps, for the Secretary of the
Treasury to have recommended this as one of the
means by which to get rid of the surplus revenue
which are receiving from year to year. If
the proposition which he has made in his report
should be adopted and carried into effect, the
reduction of the revenue would not take place until
year from next January, and, in the mean time,
there will have been large accumulation. pro-
pose, then, with view of trying the sense of the
Mr. SHELTON, Gnterrupting.) 1 would ask the
gentleman from North Carolina Mr.. Chngmanl
whether it would not be well to include in the bill
the importing merchants of the United States?
Mr.. CLINGMAN. That raises ques ion which l
will discuss with great pleasure, with the gentleman
from New Jersey at another time. There two
reasons why that should not be done. First, the
price of goods, generally, has not undergone any
great rise during the last eighteen months, and in
the next place these importatOns by merchants
mportations for private purposes, while the other is
importation for railroads, which are made by the
States and Companies for the benefit of the public,
and especially the great agricultural interests. |
have no doubt the farmers of the country are will
ling TO pay taxes whenever the Government stands
in need of them | sub nit, however, that they
ought not 10 be compelled to pay cash duties when
they not needed for any purpose whatever. l
know there is certain interest in this House which
is represented with fidelity than any other in
terest under the Government; and notwithstanding
it has large number of representatives upon this
floor who faithful diligent and Jealous, it also
has large outside representation here which is OPP
Grating more strong y-
Mr. SHELTON, (interrupting) 1 am not here as
the representative of the iron interest," by any MEANS
but desire TO have eye to all the interests of our
common country.
Mr.. MEACHAM. rise to question of order. 1t
is that the gentleman has right, during the call
upon the States for petitions to present this bill
and discuss the question, before it comes before the
House.
Mr.. CLINGMAN. The questionis upon the engross-
ment of the bill.
The SPEAKER The Chair overrules the question
of order.
Mr. CLfNGMAN l did not intend to detain the
House long. l was saying that we have had for the
last few years, remarkable condition of things.
There is necessity for collecting these taxes from
the farmers and yet this iron interest is not willing
that the Government should indulge the tax payers,
when it does not need the money. Its representa-
tives up here from time to tme and insist that
the Government shall collect its taxes forthwith.
They fight this matter though proposed to get
into their private purses They claim sort OF pre-
scriptive right to have the whole country taxed for
their benefit; and hence, when any proposition of
this kind comes before them, gentlemen identified
with that particular interest throw all manner of OBJ
staces in its way; not being content merely that the
whole country should be heavily taxed for their ben
eft they also insist that the shall be collected
without delay. ask for the reading of this bill, and
then propose to move the previous question, and
put it on its passage.
The bill then read as follows
BE 1T enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sent0tires Of tile United Suites Of AnpericG IN Con-
gress assembled That in all of the importation
of rarord iron for the period of two years from the
passage of this act upon its appearing to the salts
faction of the Secretary of the Treasury that said
iron has been imported bona 1te for the of some
railroad in the United States, it may be lawful for
those importing the same, if they desire it, instead
of paying in cash the duties now levied, to give
bonds with approved security, conditioned to pay
the said duties with interest, at the end of four
years from the date Of the importation: Pro0aded
That if at any time hereafter it should appear any
importation had not been made bona tide for the
of railroad then, besides the duties then DUE
fifty per centum additional shall be payable to the
United States
SEC. q Ind be 1t further enacted, That the ben
efts of this act shall be extended to all cases when
iron for the of railroads Las been imported and
on which the duties have not already been paid.
Mr.. G. 1t will be seen that this bill is similar in
its provisions to several other bills which passed
the last session of Congress for the benefit of par