Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-12-31

iron IN Glasgow has varied from 800 4,
to $40 394, and that the price of bar iror
has varied 500 80 to s25; aud that the
best iron was charged at from s6 20 tt
IS so extra price. Can any one Of the
advocates of a low dd paiorenl duty ex
plain the reason why the price Of iron
should fucruate so much in the British
market? or eau any one justify system
of duties liable to so much uncertainty as
system Of al raiorem on prices so varia-
ble?
Bet tie uncertainty and fuctuation in
prices are not the most valid objections to
a system Of ud calorem duties on British
iron. 1t is known that the British manu-.
facturers produce q cheap article for our
market, made of the refuse materials,
which is unfit for use, but, being low
priced, and paying but little duty, is in
troduced and placed on Qyr railroads, and
by wear and breakage is the cause of the
most of the accidents and loss of life by
which the country is SO often astOunded.
A moments reflection must satisfy every
intelligent person, that, however applica-
be system of al UaioreDl duties may be
to other articles, it is a most unwlse sys-
tenn for the duty on iron. 1t is premium
for fraudulent invoices. And who are
benefited By it? Not the government, for
it diminishes the revenue. Not the rail
road companies, because it is now under
stood that the wear on such iron is from
Is to 20 per cent. per annum whilst the
wear on good American iron is about per
cent. only. Not the farmers or planters
not the consumers of iron, because none
of them can or will use the fraudulent
SUN. Wnat, tueu, l. tie remedy can
see no other but specific duty, which will
forbid the importation of this fraudulent
article.
l would refer Senators to the letter of
Mr.. Reeves, and to the analysis which he
gives, showing the relative cost Of manu-
facture in this country and in England,
and the manner in which the farmer, the
miner, the owner of land, the railroad
and the capitalists, are bene.
fitted by the manufacture of iron. would
also refer Senators to the statements and
tables explanatory Of the manner in which
the manufacture of iron has been fostered
and strengthened in England by duties as
high as $50 80 per ton, until now 1t defes
and will continue to do SO,
-.... - "'s. sJS.~-- -~ ~..-o '--~ 49,
the abundant materials which would soon
enable us to create the capital ard organ
ize the labor which will not only command
our own market, but would enable US to
compete with all others in the markets Of
the world.
In conclusion, would add, that it will
be seen that specific duty will be less
ad ralorem on the higher priced iron, and
will thus benefit the farmer, the planter,
and the workers of iron, who all use the
better and higher priced bars, whilst it
will exclude the low priced bars made for
sale to our railroad companies, who will
be benefited by the use of better quail.
ty. We have seen that an al ruiJrem
duty of 80 per cent. On the average price
in the New York market for the last five
years will be 50 SO. l venture to say,
hat the iron masters will be content with
, specific duty of 50 per ton on pig iron,
and of SIS per ton on bars.
IThe memorial presented by Mr. Cam
eron was ordered to Oe printed