Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-10
JUDGE wILMoTs LETTER.

OF Pennsylvania Interests. In copying this let
ter which was published at Harrisburg, we
should have deemed all remarks surperfuous
but that it has been made the subject of ami
madversion by those who fancy that Judge
WILMoT is in some ones way for an election to
the u S. Senate.
We have observed some comments in the
newspapers, much in the same vein with Speak
er CHAsE's letter, which are so manifestly dis
engenuous, and their assumptions so unjust and
unfair that any person who will read the letter
cannot fail to discover that the whole tone and
object of it has either been msconceived
or purposely misreprescnted. The very men
who were the foremost in denouncing Mr.. WILL
MOT as q " Free trade" man, are now assuming
that he has changed his position. The charita-
BILE conclusion is, that they have never under
stood his views upon the Tariff question, and
particularly with regard to fostering the great
interests Of Pennsylvania.
We say that all these invidious comments
upon Mr. WILMoT's letter are uncalled for
Mr.. LApoRTE asks him only for history of his
course in Congress, during the time the Tariff
bill of l846 was before that body TO this he
replies conining himself to simple statement
of facts, and referring to his votes and speeches
If he has falsifcd history-if he has not vera
ciously narrated the occurrences which there
took place-the evidence is within the reach Of
almost every man to condemn him.
In the struggle which followed the passage
Of the law Of lS46, we profess to have had some
part We have published more columns upon
the subject, than any four papers in the Com
monwealth We have never misunderstood
Mr.. WILNoT's position upon the Tariff, and we
have certainly heard him relate the facts mar
rated in his letter in speeches made to Demo-
cratic meetings on several occasions and the
Democrats OF the County will bear witness that
the same positions have been assumed in regard
| to the Coal and Iron interests OF Pennsylvania
laid down in his letter
We give below the closing part of Il speech
made by Mr. WILMoT, in the House, July l.
1916, on the bill reported from the Committee
of 1912, a2d also an extract from letter
written by correspondent Of the Pcaas1ra-
aian, and published in that paper, just after
the passage of the bill through the House
Etract the Sspeech Of Hon. D. JgiIof driirered in the
Hcuse, Juiy /, 1916.
desire, before re7umng my seat, 70 say few words
upon the subject Of specific duties duty upon iron
Where articles of the same nature and character wide
y different i'll quality and value, specific duties
quail and unjust. \ duty Of one dollar yard upon all
wOoep cloth. would be highly Objectionable. because of
their great difference in quality and valUe - duty OF
many cents pound tea coffee, would lie open to
the most serious and wellgrounded objections some qa
ties OF these articles being worth twice and three times
much others. Indeed this difference of quality rams
through almost every article o! commerce and therefore
ad vaorem duties should, general rule, alone I've
sorted TO- But when an article sich as IRON, ana some
others that could be named sneaIly Of the intrinsic
value can objection to imposing specific duty
upon and when the article notwithstanding its mi
o.mty of quality. Is liable to great and sudden fucia
tons in price think there substantial and good
for preterring the specific to the ad vlorcm duty
Tie quality of pig r0 i nearly tie same all OF
bar, rolled and slit iron. The imposition OF specific du
ties therefore, upon iron. would not lead to the Injustice
and Inconsistency Of making articles greatly differing in
value pay the d;ty. Iron is article Wllich while
Of nearly uniform quality is subject t. Great and frcouet
fluctuations in price. Under ad valoem duties when the
price of iron falls abroad the duty i proporti0naby
ducel when ii any change made it should be in
creased So when the price rises abroad the duty rises i'll
proportions when if changed at ALL ought to he lessen
ed This leads to sudden and excessive mportations at
time. and entire prohibition at another Ii gives
unsteadGess and uncertainty to the market at home
Under specific duty, the thing is reversed. As the price
rises abroad the per cent daty is diminished and it
falls it i increased 1t gives greater stability to the
kc at home. 1t helps check excessive impOratons when
iron is low in the foreign market, and docs not readily
prohibit impOrtatons when it is high For example.
when iron sixty dollars per ton in England 80 per
cent duty might entirely prevent its importation, while
considerable would come in undcra specific duty of fifteen
dollars per ton And So if it should fall tn f>rty-vc dol
lars; 30 per cent duty would operate feeble check to
impOrtaoi, while specific duty of fifteen dollars would
he effective for that purpose. The Illustrations
have given show, also, think that the is more
endangered by al raorem than specific duty iron.
For these reasons, while admit the general proprcty of
ad val"rem duties am in favor of specific duty iron.
will not undertake to fix upon the amount that should
lie laid upon its several varieties IT, however, there is
any interest within the range OF American productions in
favor OF which the principle of restrictive duties be
tolerated, confidently claim iron is that interest. 1t
stands upon higher and more national ground. than any
other 1t the great element of offensive and defensive
warfare Large capital much time and aborare required
for its production 1t cannot be established to meet the
demands of the country in the threatened hour of danger
1t is urged that iron being necessary of life those who
oppose duties tea and coffee because they such can
not consistently support tariff on IRON think sir,
obvious distinction between article of national
and individual necessity. agree that the ordinary ncCc-
Sarics of life should be left Us free consistent with the
wants of the but article OF national necessity
absolutely essential to the defence and safety of the
whole country if such there bcough to he Produccd in
the country. An imposition in any form for such pur
p0e, would not be for the benefit of class, (houch it
might operate to their advdnage but for their protection
and safety would place the iron interest of enDsvlva-
MIA upon these high these national grounds and leave il
to the patriotism of gentlemen to say what measure
encouragement should be extended would not blend
her great interest with the manufacture Of pins and brass
kettles. am fully satisfied that if instead of lending her
support to false principle and uniting her interests sth
those of minor Importance, Pcnnsyyam would now
assume the high and commanding position to which her
truly national interests entitle her, She could obtain at
the hands of the Democracy of this House. the fall meas
of protection that is desired for her iron and coal
have been anxious from the first to agree with my Demo-
cratic colleagues upon reasonable compromise fully
satisfied that whatever asked in would be grant
ed. The chairman of the committee who reported this
BILL offered 40 per cent instead of 30 upon iron and coal
thereby the support of the Democrats Pennsvva
MIA could be obtained. Nay, sir | am informed he |
offered specific duties of seven Fifteen twenty and
thirty dollars per ton to satisfy and the support of
the Democracy of Pennsylvania But unanmitv could
be he'd in councils. Some acting under instructions
and pledges stood enacously upon the act of 1912: 9th
lrsipn lt4in u,