Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-14

Especial Correspondence of the Richmond EnquIrer.1
4 Credit for Duties Rail Road Iron Proposed 6y
4Nr. CIingnaan-Is Beneficial Operution-U Unjust
Tar on the Community to Benefit the honmong-
er5-1he Bf0nson Resoluti0n laid on tile Table.
WASHINGTON, Jan 4, 1854.
The subject of the importation of rail road iron,
either free of duty 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-
tion Whilst most of the railroads at the North are
completed those of the South are Just now in prog
ress The South begins to realize that all such i'm
provements are necessary to its prosperity and real
power Previous to 1872 rail road iron was import
ed free of duty and it during this period that
most of the Northern roads were made They had
all the advantage of the cheapncss of iron. Now,
the onerous duty operates as severe tax upon
Southern Improvements for the benefit of few IRON
mongerS.
Mr.. Clingman of North Carolina is the author of
this measure of relief and it is of several sub
stantia points Of Southern policy. This bill propo-
SEES 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 referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means. 1t was, in sub
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
are, the Raleigh and CASTOR Company purchased,
in England, iron for their road and obliged to
pay between $40 900 or so 900 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-
mtted 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 ike
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
fair that the others should have at least the benefit
of credit. The proposition is entirely Just in it.
seland in its operation would be productive of gene
raj good.
Nj. Perkins of Louisiana, yesterday proposed to
admit rail road iron free of duty. To this we must
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. Ciingnan is practical
approximation to them, and recognition of
the principle, independently of its other benefits.
The whole system, a part OF which is the heavy
duty on iron, is an unjust one. 1t is weakening,
and must eventually entirely disappear advancing
truth and experience To protect manufactur, rs
in their infancy, may have been proper. From the
of 1872, for period of nearly forty years, the
manufactures have enjoyed abundant protection, at
the expense Of the community. They even now
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 album
dainty ourishing and if it suffers from any thing
it is from excessive protection.
The practical working of the iron protection is
acty this: There but three establishments in the
United States where railroad iron is made and the
duty upon is for their protection and this impost
is a 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, it is kept up. A proper examination of
these matters should and will put end to such in
Justice.
The resolution offered yesterday in the House by
Mr. Cutting of New York, about Mr.. Bronsons re-
msval, to-day laid the table. Congress
should very little who hold the Offices provided
they be men of fair character and of capability.
FAIRFAX