Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-13

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY, December IL, 1854.
After our paper went TO press, the Senate
bill, providing for the better preservation OF
life and property, on the New Jersey and Long
Island coast was passed, by vote OF l2d 70 40.
The House then went into committee on the In
valid pension bill.
Mr.. WALBRIDGE, democrat OF New York, adj
dressed the committee at considerable length, IN
favor of abolishing the duty ON coal de remark
ed that the advance In the mechanic arts, in motive
power by the universal application OF steam on
RAILWAYS and ocean and inland navigation, has en-
tirely changed our relations this important arti-
Gle in fact, has revolutonized the age in regard
tot. Yet il stands on the statute-book of l848,
in schedule of the tariff of that year, as subject
to an ad valorem duty Of 80 per cent, equivalent
to AS per cent. taking into account the cost OF
freight and charges) on its value in the country
and ia there in company with the luxures of life,
"ale, porter, beer, and articles embroidered with
gold silver or other metal"
This enactment continues, notwithstanding the
annual consumption of coal in the United States
has reached, at this period, about 10000, 600 of
TONS the present cost of which may be fairly esti-
mated at from SO to IS ton at the place of con-
sumption--showing that the people Of the United
States paying for this one of the great neces-
sarcs Of life, between sixty and eighty millions of
dollars per annum, under tariff levied upon them
which, as hereinbefore stated, is full 40 per cent
protection.
During the years 1861, 80, $50, and "a, we have
imported an aggregate of 682, l62 tons, valued,
according to Treasury statement certified No
vember 81, 1852, at Sl,9So,l79, or, at general
average Of four years, IS 23 per ton, and the ag-
gregatc duty paid on the same is 1891 ,053 10.
The scarcity Of fuel, and the demand for Goals
had undoubtedly their full share in influencing the
amount of importatons at the several periods men
toned This demand for coal is still rapidly aug
mentng, having risen in the last fifty years from
fifteen thousand tons per annum to an annual con-
sumption Of 100000, and yet being continually
on the increase.
With almost infallible resources at home, he could
see no good reason for continuing the present ex-
orbitant duty on COAL which, in his opinion, should
be free article. Some idea may be formed Of the
increasing demand for coal, by even glance at the
multiplied uses to which it is applied. We have
now in active operation 10000 miles of railway
communication at a cost Of $500, 900 900, and the
system is advancing, stretching its arms Briareous-
like far and wide over the Union, in the ratio Of
the expansion Of population and the growth of the
country
The steam marine of the United States in 1852
was 1890 vessels, with an aggregate of Alt ,226
tons, Of which 90 were ocean steamers, 529 en-
gagged in the coast trade, and 1856 employed on in
land navigation. Such has been the increase of our
steam commercial marine within the last TIVE years.
that it would not be extrayagant to estimate our
steam marine for 1854, at 1900 vessels, with an
aggregate steam tonnage of $4,000 tons.
In conclusion, he said, every principle ofjustice
demands that the shackes Of this trade, which the
existing tariff imposes should be stricken of, and
that the traffic Of this important article should be
opened to the freest competition. The days Of
this session were rapidly diminishing, and the bust
ness of the country required in fact demanded,
brevity in discussion, and promptitude of action.
Mr.. RITCHIE, of Pennsylvania, rose for the
purpose of making few remarks in reply to the
appeal of the gentleman from New York. An err
roneous report had been extensively published in
the newspapers in relation to the conduct of those
gentlemen engaged in the anthracite coal business
in Pennsylvania. They were charged with with
holding coal from market in order that the prices
of the article might be raised. So far from this,
the supply by the Reading railroad was over rs
per cent. more than 1t was last year. The cost Of
mining has nearly doubled, and that Of Transports
ton by railroad largely increased; and to this may
be attributed the rise in the price of coal lie con-
troverted points in the speech of Mr.. WALBRIDGE,
and took occasion to express his views against free
trade.
Mr. WHITE said he thought the miners Of Phil
adelphia had been unjustly charged with comb
nation to keep up the price of coal. This was sub
ject Of conversation, and the staple of remark for
some time. But since 1t had been alluded to, he
would now make remark as a sort Of Offset which
he thought would bear quite as close scrutiny.
The charge of keeping up the price of coal should
more properly be fixed on gentlemen Of New York
and the Eastern States, who have sought to bring
down the price of coal SO low as to prevent the
producer from bringing it to market.
Mr.. STRAUB remarked, his friend from New
York, (Mr. WALBRIDeE) had told the truth in rela-
ton to the raising of the price of coal but while
he spoke of the price of coal going up, the gentle
man seemed TO forget that every other article and
necessary of life has risen correspondingly Laugh
ter.
Mr. WALBRIDGE. Every thing except pay Of
members Of Congress. Renewed laughter.
Mr. WHITE concluded bis remarks, saying that
the entire abolition Of the duty on coal would not
now effect the price Of the article.
The committee rose, when the bill for the pay.
ment Of invalid and other pensions was passed !;
and the House adjourned.
SENATE.
"WEDNESDAY, December IL.
The Senate met at the usual hour
to,.. Lii k.(o. - g.