Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-29
MIR, WILMor ON THE TARIFF.

In Congress, July 1, 1876, Mr.. Wilmot made
a speech on tho Tariff question, in which he
advocated the revenue policy generally, but at
the same time argued that articles of national
necessity, such as iron and coal, were proper
objects of protection. AS Mr.. Wilmot has al
ready been rnisreprescnted on this subject, and
as repetition of the misreprcsentatio can be
expected, we here subjoin that portion of his
speech having reference TO the particular in
terests Of this State, SO that every one may
read and Judge for himself. He said
81 desire, before resuming my seat, to say
few words upon the subject of specific duties
and duty upon iron. When articles of the
same nature and character are widely different
in quality and value, specific duties are un-
equal and unjust. A duty OF one dollar yard
upon all WOODEN cloth, would be highly objec-
tional, because. of their great difference in
quality and vaitie. So duty OF so many cents
a pound on tea or coffee, would be open TO the
most serious md well grounded objections;
some qualities of these articles being worth
twice and three times as much as others. In
deed this difference of quality runs through al
most every article OF commerce, and therefore
ad valorem duties should, as general rule,
alone be rcsorted TO. But when an article,
such as iron, aud others that could be named,
is nearly of the same intrinsic value. can see
no objection to imposing a specific duty upon
it; and when the article, notwithstanding its
uniformity OF quality, is liable to great and
sudden fluctuations in price. / think there are
substantial and good reasons for preferring the
specific TO the ad yalorem duty. The quality
OF pig iron is nearly the same all over; so of
bar, rolled and slit iron. The imposition OF
specific duties, therefore, upon iron, would
not lead to the injustice and Inconsistency of
making articles greatly differing in value, pay
the same duty. Iron is ar article which, while
of nearly uniform quality, is subject to great
and frequent fluctuations in price. Under ad
valorem duties, when the price OF iron falls
abroad, the duty is proportiOnably reduced (;
when, If any change were made, 1t should be
! increased. So, when the price rises abroad,
the duty rises in proportion when, if changed
at all, it ought to be lcssened. This leads to
sudden and excessive importations at one
time, and an entire prohibition at another. II
gives unsteadiness and uncertainty to the mar
ket n home. Under specific duty. the thing
is reversed. As the price rises abroad, the
present duty is diminished, and as it falls it is
| increased. 1t gives greater stability TO the
market at home. 1t helps check excessive
importations when iron is low in the foreign
market, and does not so readily prohibit i'm
portations when it is high. For example :
when iron was sixty dollars per ton in Eng
land, so per cent. duty might entirely pre-
vent its importation, while considerable would
come in under specific duty of fifteen dollars
per ton. And so, if it should fall to forty-iye
| dollars, 30 per cent. duty would operate as a
] feeble check to importatons. while specific
| duty of fifteen dollars would be more effective
for that purpose. The illustrations have Civ
! en-, show also, / think, that the revenue is
more endangered by an ad yal0rem than spe-
/ cific duty iron. For these reasons, while I
admit the general propriety of ad valorem du-
/ ties, i am in favor of a specific duty on iron.
! | will not undertake to fix upon the amount
/ that should be laid upon its several varieties.
/ If, however, there is any interest within the
range of American productions, in favor of
/ which the principle Of restrictive duties can be
/ tolerated, / confidently claim iron is that in
| terest. 1t stands upon higher and more ma
/ tlonal grounds than any other. 1t is the great
| element of offensive and defensive warfare
| Large capital, much time and labor are re-
| quired in this production. 1t cannot be cs-
! tablished to meet the demands of the country
/ in the hour of threatened danger. 1t is ur-
/ ged that iron being necessary of life, those
/ who oppose duties on tea and coffee because
! they are such, cannot consistently support a
/ tariff on iron. think, sir, see an obvious
| distinction between an article of national and
I individual necessity. / agree, that the ordi-
nary necesssries of life should be lett as free as
is consistent with the wants of the revenue; but
an article of national necessity-one absolute
ly essential 20 the defence and safety Of the
whole country, if such there be-ought to be
produced in the country. An imposition in
/ any form for such purpose, would not be for
the benefit OF a class, Chough it might oper-
ate TO their advantage), but for the protection
and safety of the State. / would place the
iron interest of Pennsylvania on these high
these national grounds, and leave it to the
patriotism Of gentlemen 10 say, what measure
of encouragement shonld 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 4 false principle and uniting her
! interests with those of minor importance Penn
sylvanis would even now assume the high and
commanding position to which her truly na-
tioual interest entities her, she could obtain
at the hands Of the Democracy OF this House
the full measure Of protection that is desired
for her iron and coal"