Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-12-11

and, indeed for all branches Of our manu-
featuring and agricultural productions. AL
low the incidental protection of revenue
tariff, nd place our manufactures and pro-
ductions upon the same beneficial footing,
that foreign manufactures and produces
enjoy, in our own and foreign countries, by
taking off the duty We now impose on the
raw material, and give them fair and equal
competition, for the home and foreign har-
kets, and we may safely leave all the rest,
to ,iie skill and enterprise OF our people.
The material change is recommended in
the tariff upon iron or steel, and the manu-
factures thereof, but lf continued at present
rates. it is not supposed the same amount of
revenuo will continue 20 be derived from l.,
even should the use of iron, as no doubt it
will. be extended to many other purposes,
and be consumed In much greater quantities.
We here quote the report:
"The extended and increased consumption
of the manufactures of silk induces large
and increasing importations, whilst the
growth of silk when compared with popula-
ton, is on the decline, and the home manu-
iacture, on the increase The tax on foreign
manu- actures o! silk. from the general and
extended use thereof. is considered expedi-
ent, and as just and equal. as can be i'm
posed on any importatous, and peculiarly
proper. taken in connection with our COM
merce with The countries from which we
obtain our principal supplies. The admis-
sion of raw silk, fee OF duty, would injure
no home interest, and might, in time. Sa liz
crease our ma lufacture of the article Us %
reduce foreign importations. The manufac-
ture of glass, porcelain, stoneware, the min
ing of coal, and productions OF lead and cop
Der, and The manufacture Of silk, may be
ex5e rted to be increased and extended, so
as to take possession Of the home market in
less time than it has taken the production
and manufactures of cotton, to gain their
present prosperous possession of the home
market.
The tonnage of the United States en-
gagged in the foreign and coasting trade on
the 3Oth June, 1855, was ,349 less than
shown by the statement for the 3oth June,
1856. This has arisen in part from stricter
examination of the returns of former years,
and correction. by striking out vessels for
merly sold without the United States, o.
lost by marine or her causalities. The
sail and steam tonnage shows regular pro-
gressive increase. On this subject the re-
port remarks:
"The use ofsteam tonnage in the fcom.
merce betweeH the United States andfotheI
American nations, ,and Great Britain, Franc8
and other commercial nations, may, and, il
is thought by some, will considerably re-
duce the sail tonnage used in commerce,
and that cheaper capital in Great Br itai n
will give to that nation an advantage over
the United States in steam tonnage and the
carrying trade of our own and other coun-
tries, and they attribute the reduction of CUR
tonnage to that cause. This NAV be so, to
some ex ent, but no continued reduction Of
our comm ,ial tonnage is apprehended; nor
is it apprehendnd there is any just reason to
suppose our enterpri sing ship-builders and
merchants will surrender the navigation of
the seas to Great Britain land place that ma
tion in possession of The carrying business OF
the world; yet the subject is one Of interest,
and calls for careful examina ion of cur
tonnage laws, and the removal of all impeJ-
iments to an equal and fair competition for
our foreign trade and the trade Of other ma
TONS"
The reduction of the tariff is recommend.
ed in the Secretary's fist report by TN en-
iargment Of the free list, SO as 20 admit $, m,s
brticles of consumption and the raw matess
ais used by cur manufactures, to free entry,
and lessening the duty on other irnnorls, is
again strongly urged as the best and surest
mode OF giving increased beneficial employ
ment to our tonnage, and increased bene-
fetal markets for our manufactures and OH
er products, and of cultivating amity and
friendship with Dur neighbors of Mexico,
the West Indies, Central an South A mer-
ica, &C., and also the best mode of promo
ting our own prosperity, next after the mu-
tual free trade we enjoy with each other.
The total gold and silver coinage of the
United States Mint, from 1898 when the
mint was established. to 30th of September,
1856. has been $549,34l ,9i4 IA; and the
entire import from 1920, when the account
was first kept, has been $293, ,74s, and
the export $436,5S7. .354-there being no
account of the imports and exports, prior 10
1920.
The report goes on to discuss the sub
ject Of the export Of gold and silver, curren-
cy and banking small notes and specie, the
sub-treasury and commercial transactions,
and variety of other topics Of more or less
interest, for which we have no space this
morning. The whole report occupies forty
six octave pages. Wheeling Times.