Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-01-18
NUMBER l006.

Especial Correspondents Of the Richmond Enuurerl
4 Credit for Duties on Rail Road Iron Proposed 5y
1nr. Ctingman-Its Benefcial Operation- Unjust
Tar on the Community to BeRett tile Lronmong-
as-1he Bronson Resoiution laid on tic Table.
WASHINGTON, Jan 4, 1854
Ihe subject OF the importation of rail road fron
either free of duty or of giving credit for the du-
TIES upon IT. IS one of more importance than is gene
rally supposed 1t Is attracting and deserves atten-
ton hilst most of the railroads at the North are
completed, those of the South just in prog
ress The South gins to realize that all such i'm
provements are necessary to its prosperity and real
power Previous to 1S42, rail road iron was import
ed free of duty, and it was during this period that
most of the Northern roads were made They had
all the advantage of the cheapness of iron. Now,
the oncrous duly operates as a severe tax upon
Southern improvements for the benefit of few iron.
mongers.
this measure of relief and it is one Of several SUBJ
stantlal points OF Southern policy. This bill propc-
ses to give credit of four years for the duties with
security for their payment This bill failed to pass
the last Congress but by single vote. Mr. Cling
man, several days ago, introduced it again. and it
was favorably received by the House, who refused
to lay it on the table, and it was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means. 1t was, in SUBJ
stance, brought up again yesterday by Mr. Church.
well of Tennessee, and will eventually pass.
As an instance of the operation of things as they
arc, the Raleigh and CASTOR Company purchased,
in England, iron for their road and were obliged to
pay between 1000 or $4,000 as duty or tax be-
fore they were allowed to bring it in. Being pressed
IN their MEANS they asked that they should be per-
mted to give bonds with good security to pay this
duty In one, two, three or four years They also
proposed that the Government should retain the
money which it is to pay them for carrying tke
mails which would be more than sufficient to paw
the debt. This is but one instance of many at the
South. As other parts Of the country have had
previous to 1872 the benefit of no duty, it is but
tha b,vo leo.
OF credit. The proposition is entirely Just in it
seand in its operation would be productive of gene.
raj geod -
Mr.. Perkins Of Louisiana, yesterday proposed to
admit rail- road iron free of duty. To this, we must
come at last for free trade doctrines strengthen eve
ry day with the growing intelligence of the country
But the public is not yet prepared for them entire
ly. The proposition of Mr.. Clingman is practical
approximation to them, and secures recognition of
the principle, independently of its other benefits
The whole system, part of which is the heavy
duty on lron, is an unjnst one. 1t is weakening,
and must eventually entirely disappear advancing
truth and experience. To protect our manufacturers
in their infancy, may have been proper. From the
war OF 1872 for period of nearly forty years. the
manufactures have enjoyed abundant protection at
the expense of the community. They even now en-
JOY the advantage OF thirty per cent duties If they
cannot, after the Strengthening of forty years OF
nurture and growth still exist without support it is
not our fault But the manufacturing interest abun-
dainty hourishing and if it suffers from any thing,
1t is from excessive protection. -
The practical working of the iron-protcction is ex-
actly this: There but three establishments tho
United States where railroad iron is made and the
duty upon it is for their projections and this ipost
is virtual tax upon the South and West, and all
other interests of the country, for their benefit This
is hardly just and yet by the force of lobbying and
OF money, II Is kept ~r-A nroper 90
these matters should and will put end to such n-
justice. -.
The resolution offered yesterday in the House by
Mr.. Cutting of New York, about Mr.. Bronson's re-
msyal, was to-day laid the table. Congress
should care very little who hold the Offices provided
they be men of fair character and of capability.
FAIRFAX. j