Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-04-03
0be 4alp Spp.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1856.
THE Proposed Tariff.

Now that the tarlu quesIlon mas Oeen taken
from the politics of the country. people can
look at it in common sense light. Once,
when ever so good a measure was proposed,
bearing on this subject, it encountered the
bitteTest opposition from partizan motives /;
while on the other hand, any measure, the
practical operation Of which was fraught with
the most disastrous consequences to the bust
hess interests Of the country, was sure TO find
ardent and devoted support from the political
friends Of the mover The change in this re-
gard is among the happiest auguries of the
times The bill recently introduced into the
Senate by Senator James of Rhode Island, tor
a modification of the present tariff, to sdaptit
to the present circumstances and necessities of
the times, is generally commended as EEK
hibiting care and INTEL gence in the classi6ca-
tion OF the articles, and simple in its opera
tons and details 1t IS generally conceded
that this bill, " if adopted as the permanent
policy of the government, would not only
prove to be satisfactory to the manufacturing
and other interests, but would facilitate the
collection of the revenue, and contribute to
its protection from frauds"
As this opinion is conceded in, by both
supporters and opponents of the national adj
ministration, by those who have heretofore
battled the hardest in opposition to so moder-
ate system of protection as is here recon-
meuded ,as well as by those who have clamored
r.. %or,
thank our stars that the good era of a COM
mon agreement in sentiment on so important
q matter has come at last In fact, this ques-
ton ceased to be an issue in our elections on
the death of those two distinguished champi-
ons of the protective policy, Webster and
Clay. The great question now before the
country, instead of Tariffs, is Human Rights.
Gen. James has had opportunity and expe-
risnce, he being an extensive manufacture, to
judge of the wants of the manufacturing in
terests, and the conclusions he has arrived at
are deemed wise and judicious, on all hands.
Gen. James said, in his speech in explanation
of the details Of his bill;
"The articles embraced in this bill, it will
be perceived, are separated into four classes
Glass A. consists only of spirituous liquors,
which are to pay duty of eighty per cent.
ad 0alorem. Glass B. embraces all articles
that now pay duty of thirty per cent and
over, except spirituous liquors together with
one or two others which now pay duty of
twenty five per cent. In this list are com
prised most of the articles of foreign manu-
facture. and which enter into the general
n Il. u.
materials for manufacturers, mechanics, &C.,
which are produced, either not at all in this
country, or to no great extent. And the
class marked D. is composed of articles not
enumerated in either of the other lists, and
taxed with duty of twenty per cent"
He spoke as follows of the necessity of
having raw materials admitted free of duty:
g believe it is not the policy of foreign
governments TO impose duties on imported
materials necessary to their industrial opera
tons, not produced in sufficient quantities
within their own domlnions. They long since
discovered that this was policy which Of
fered q premium for foreign competition, to
the detriment Of their own trade. 1t was for
this reason alone, thai Great Britain abolished
the duty on cotton, abb more recently On
wool. An import duty on the raw material
is, in fact, equivalent to an export duty on
the manufactured article, and which would,
at this day, operate fatally on the manufacto-
ries of Europe. Sir, the fact is as plain as
that two and two make four, that duty on
the raw material which must be imported,
must enter into the cost of the manufactured
article, and hence that, all other things being
equal, be that is COMPELLED to pay this duty
cannot afford his product as cheap as he can
who receives his raw material free of duty"
In the following eogent and intelligent
statements the germ Of the whole tariff ques-
ton -
Z" Sir, during the fiscal year ending June
80, 1851 the value Of areadstuffs Of all kinds
exported from the United States was about
$45,o00,000. Add to this amount the value
of all animal products exported, and the
amount is about $50, 900, 900. But it will be
recollected that the war in Europe enhanced
the amount, and the prices rose over former
ones about one hundred per cent. To offset
this amount of expectation, we had imports
during the same period, of manufactured
wool, cotton, silk, and iron and steel, and I'M
wrought iron, to the amount, in round num-
bers, of 1926, 900, 900. Here are four articles
only, all of which are manufactured in the
United States, exported from Europe, of near
ly twice the value of all the exports Of bread
stuffs, and animal products; and with the
usual prices for our agricultural products, the
disparity would be much greater Thus, it is
seen, four branches Of business, which if duly
encouraged, might supply all our wants in
their respective lines, are deprived OF business
to nearly the value of one. half these products,
which is given to foreign manufacturer, to
increase foreigncapital, and TO pay, and feed,
and clothe, foreign workmen."
But the worst thing about this bill is, that
it is one of those measures for the raising of
revenuel, which cannot constitutionally be
originated in the Senate, so it will have to DO
sent to the other House, and be acted on there
before it can be considered here. 1t was prob
ably got up by Senator James, in view of the
pending election in Rhode Island, to secure,
If possible, his reelection as Senator, as his
present term expires March 4th, 1867. We
fear it may have had some effect, in that di.
rection, toward helping the administration
forces at the election, yesterday.
REPUBLICAN MEETINGs.--We rejoice TO
perceive the disposition manifested among the
Republicans, in many Of the cities and towns
Of the State to rally and organize their forces
to be in readiness for the ensuing campaign.
H. ID fsl..l r IL