Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-05-16

interest on their capital is not more than half
ours, and hence the danger to our success
must originate in this source. Onco place our
manufacturers in Il condition not to he pros
tratcd hv the competition Of those of England,
and they would alllrd ready and remuncra-
ting market to the wool-growcr Now, it
must be obvious in this immense, extended
country, more than half Of it adapted to the
wool growing business, where land can be
bought for less than the price Of the annual
rental in England and most Of the other
countries OF Europe, we cannot be in amy Sc
rious danger from the competition of foreign
wopls. 1t might as well be urged that we
should lay a duty on foreign raw cotton, for
fear of its competing with that Of our own
growth. TO lay high duty ON wool, and
neglect to lay duty ON foreign manuiac-
lures, which would protect our own from ri
valry, would he literally realizing the fable of
killing the goose which laid us the golden
eggs. Everybody knows, who is acquainted
with the subject, that the labor of the opera
tivcs, the cost of the dyc-stufs, the expense
OF the wear and tear of machinery and build
ingS, and the interest on the capital, cOnStl-
tute two-thirds of the value Of most wooden
fabrics; then, to lay higher duty ON the
raw material than We do on the manufactured
article, would be directly lcgislating for the
good of the foreigner to our own disadvantages
1t might do very well for the legislation of II
Colonial Parliament; hut for an independent
nation, which means to emanciplte herself
lr in the leading strings Of her former mother
country, it is suicidal.
There certainly has been great deal more
stress laid on this subject of foreign wool
than it was entitled to. Had Congress
favored us with steady legislation calcu-
lutpI tD f.. Ntt riu ind stry
since lSlG-whcn the double duties ended by
the Limitation OF the act-thcrc would not at
til, time be any question W on the propricty
Or improperly Of II duty on foreign wool ;
for We ourselves should have raised amply
enough for the supply Of our own consump-
ton We have done it i'll cotton and every
thing else we have turned our attention to
and we should have done it in shcep-whosc
fleece affords us our most comfortable cloth
ing, and his carcass our most wholesome
tOod-had proper encouragement been af-
torded to this useful branch of industry.
From the variety Of views which have been
entertained IN Congress in regard to pro-
tective duty, it ia pretty certain the friends
Of manufacturing industry cannot obtain
what they want, and, for one, what | say
they ought to have. Mr.. Guthrie appears to
he Il man of sense, ard he has probably re-
=
which can now be carried into effect for the
benefit Of both manufacturers and wool
growers As a general rule, when manulac-
turing industry is to be promoted which
comes in competition with foreign, it appears
to me obvious that the raw materil-the
dye-stutls and drugS-which are employed in
forming the fabric must be obtained at as
low prices as the foreign manufacturers OBJ
tain them, 50 as to cradle home goods to be
thrown into tie market as low as, or ljwer,
than foreign. But if duty is laid here on
the raw wool and the drugs and dye-stuffs
necessary to perfect the flhric, and no duties
are laid on those articles in foreign countries
whence we derive our supplies, it is clear
that the value of the goods made here must
be enhanced to the amount of the duties 50
laid and if proportional duty is not laid
on the foreign manufactures which come in
composition with ours, the American goods
must 20 into the market at n higher cost
than do the foreign. and their sale be pre-
vented and thus, instead Of Congress lcgis-
lating t. encourage our own industry, it will
be lcgislatint practically to promote the IN
duStry Ot Foreign nations to our injury.
This opinion give as "a party directly in
tcrcsted, being ore OF the largest holders Of
inc-wool sheep in the United States.
But in II Government OF the people, formed
by themselves tor Their own bcnHnt, we can
not suppose that any tariff can be made by
their Representatives. which shall altogether
neglect or overlook the interests of the leo-
plc and. of course the industrial interests
of the country will receive that attention
which their importance imperatiyely de-
mands. Among other subjects which require
attention is the rigid enforcement Of our Re
venue Laws. Such rules and regulations
ought to he introduced as will secure the coll
lection of our lawful revenue. Legal proof
has been given that great frauds have been
pracliced in our Custom House at New York,
to the great loss OF the revenue and to the in
.jnry of our manufacturing industry, by en-
abing the foreign agent to undcrsell our own
fabrics in cur own markets. 70 prevent this
evil, stringent measures ought to hc rigidly
enforced. As We have no Botany Bay, and
hanging is out Of fashion, the goods, wares
and merchandise attempted to be fraudulent
ly introduced ought to be confscated, and
the culprlt and hIs abcttors ought to be con-
dcmncd, at least. to ten years in the State
Prison.
With respect and esteem,
WM. JARVIS.