Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-08-02
Duties on Railroad Iron.
FoRr WAYNM, Ind, April 80, ls5


Hon. VIM. B. OGDEN, CHICAGO.
Dear Sir:-As a citizen of one of the new
States of the West, participating actively in the
numerous enterprises aiming at the advance
ment Of western interests, | am sure you will
deeply regret that no measure of relief to our
struggling railroads was adopted at the late
session of Congress.
The measure of relief bearing upon this ques-
tion as introduced in the house of Representa-
tives by the Hon. Mr.. Edgerton of Ohio, was in
| the form refunding or Temitting duties upon all
iron rails actually and perma ns nfly laid do,on
beftoeen the first Of July, 1858, and the first Of Ju-
IN, 1856. The able and lucid argument of Mr..
Edgerton in support of this policy, as also that
of the Hon. Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts, as
published in the Daily Globe of the Goth Febru-
ary, You have no doubt seen.
| That this proposition, or some measure en-
bracing the same general principle, did not re-
ceive the favorable action of Congress, may be
attributed TO the great amount Of important
business pressing upon that body just at its
close, and the want of time for deliberate inves-
tigaton, rather than TO any matured sentiment
against its policy or justice. i am sustained in
this conclusion by preliminary votes, and by
the fact that kindred proposition-that OF
giving credit Of three years, as introduced by
Senator Jones of fTennessee-passed one branch
of Congress by large majority.
The discussion of this subject in Congress and
elsewhere has tended to illustrate and enforc,
the policy of giving temporary relief TO this de
pressed interest. Like other propositions foun
ded in Justice and propriety, It gathers strength
by investigation. 1t is no act of bounty that j:
asked Of the Government, but cnly that she re
frain for a time from exacting onerous duties
out of the small means which her citizens, il
their associated capacity, may have collected TO
gether for the opening Of thoroughfares indis
pensible to their convenience and their neces
sary business intercourse. While these enter
prizes, beneficial to the country as they mus
prove, might not with propriety look to TIN
government for direct appropriation of its fund
T they may reasonably claim temporary exemp
: tion, in this time of financial embarrassment
1 consequent upon the European war, from bur
( then so oppressive as the payment of twelv
hundred dollars per mile in gold and silver fo
: the privilege oflaying down their iron alread
!. purchased and paid for at the highest rates.
The temporary discrimination in favor of iro
rails finds abundant precedent in the past ac
e tion of the Government. During eleven Of III
II twenty three years that have elapsed since til
). construction of railways was fairly begun in tn
O United States, the entire amount Of duties hay
a been either refunded or remitted The fact
: bearing upon this question are important to tn
: discussion. Finding in Washington city p,
u y per, a complete history of the legislation @
~ Congress referring To railroad iron, known
D have emanated from a reliable source tai
j. the liberty of ranscribing it here 1t is as fo
re lows:
"a "lst. BY the act of July Id, 1882, (stat.
o large, vol. A, p 6O4) railroad iron OF all kind
:, including rails, spikes, bolts, chairs, &c, W,
- made duty free if laid within three years fro
" the time of importation. This law was gener
in its provisions, and continued in operate
-, some eleven years. The policy originated
1881, and before it was terminated in lS43,
u the tariff passed by the Wings in lS42, abo
ne ssuen millions Of dollars were refunded from t
nm Treasury Of the United States to the railro
companies.
Oh "2d. After the passage of the act of July
es, 1896, duties were charged on spikes, pins, &
rec at the same rates as they We're charged on 9th
h iron, but rails remained duty free until Mar
W W 8, lS43, (See U. s. laws, vol. 5, p. SSH
nf "3d. During the whole eleven years in whi
railroad iron was duty free, in every case VIII,
DIS a company was unable to lay down its ii
within three years from the date of its impor
ton, an application to Congress obtained s,
hot cial relief. reference to the Journal of
House In three several cases, shows that ii
are were passed nem con-, and without even a C
lly for the yeas and nays. presume the rest W
4. passed the same way, all parties and all 6
ue tions. of the country acquiescing in the poll
ON / notice that several of these special acts W
icb for the benefit of Pennsylvania railroads
"From the Treasury table before me, /
LOT able to trace 81, ,40S ,9l9 20, and see for VIII
ant benefit the duties We're refunded, but the
ance cannot trace; from this table it seems