The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-04
THE NEW RUSSIAN TARIFF. COMMERCIAL PROG
RESS


In consequence of the deep interest felt by the
great mass of our commercial readers, as well as
by our citizens generally, in the progressive move
ments to which the Russian governmental has directed
its best energies since the termination of the late
war, we have endeavored to spread before read
ers such items of Russian news we have been
able to find in their official publications or other
liable sources. We present this morning brief sy-
nopsis Of the new Russian tariff which has just been
published at st. Peersburgh, with the remark that
the changes which it has introduced calculated
to give great satisfaction to the commercial world
We give the rates of duty in the currency in which
we find them as the French franc IL 35 cents, is
sufficiently familiar to commercial readers.
The duty on currants is reduced from 2f &c. per
lb. to If &C., and that figs, dried rasins, dates,
and pruncs from 81 Coo. to AZ The duty ON wines
is reduced, in barrel, from If to ST. 40c., and in
bottles Except Burgundy and Mousseaux wines) from
2f to IT, 2Oc per bottle bottled porter from IT. 4Oc.
to s0c per bottle leather gloves, and goods manu-
featured of chamois leather from 12f to ST. The re-
duction on cotton goods and cotton yarns is very
terial thus, printed cloth, with or without mix
ture of cotton, we find is reduced from ST. Coo. to
one-half or 2f Soc batiste and hand1erchies there
of, or cambria, from l2f to ST.
The duty on white cotton yarns is reduced from
2Of to 14f. per poud, or SO pounds colored cotton
yarns 2Of per poud; cotton wadding from 16f to AZ
per poud cotton woven goods, including calico, JAG
comet cambria, crinone, cotton, silk, and woollen
mixtures knitted or plated goods, are reduced from
dutios ranging between If. 92c. and e. 40c to uni
form duty of If. Coo. Silk fabrics, except brocade
and transparent stuff, reduced to l6f.; mixed
silk to ST.; and woollen CLOTH mixed woollen,
beaver cashmere, and goods of like kind the duty is
fixed at ST. Coo. per poud. Trowserings are reduced
from st. 4Oc. to A. flannel velvetine and plush from
A. to 2f &c. per poud. Green yitriol is reduced
from If 40c.; sulphuric acid from CT 40c to A.;
ground madden from A. to 2f; and dye-woods from
SOC. to 4Sc. per poud.
Among the articles heretofore prohibited was iron
in bars, rails or cases. 1t is now admitted at duty
of 2f per poud or if in bars of less than half inch
in thickness, at II. SOC. per poud iron boilers are
admitted at 3f &C., and cast iron at 60c On block
zinc the duty is reduced from A. SOC. to 2f 40c, and
on sheet zines r. 2Oc to 81 Coo.
We also find that the duty on writing paper of
So pounds. So soon we receive an official copy
of the law remodelling the Russian tariff or an au-
thentc copy Of the tariff itself, shall present en-
tire, and in comparison with former rates. such pro-
visions and alterations as may in any manner affect
American commerce.
From the synopsis which we have given it will be
perceived that the ameiorations in the commercial
legislation of this great empire are directed by a
spirit of commendable liberality. The truth u.s. the
medieval systems of prohibitions and restrictions,
Of onerous tariffs and unmeaning formnle win soon
be driven by the force of public opinion, as well as
Of commercial necessity, from the few strongholds in
which they still found to linger in continental
Europe. The congresses at Brussels, and the ex-
cellent and well-panncd organizations which they
have put in motion in every capital and chief city or
town throughout Europe, together with many popu-
lar and ably-conducted journals, have contributed
much in breaking down these relics of feudalism and
commercial yassalage.