Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-09
THE TARIFF RESOLUTIONS.
Senators Cameron and Bigler.

Senators Cameron and Bigler, in the U. s.
Senate, on the presentation of the Tariff reso-
lutions recently adopted by the Legislature of
PennsylyaD from the Congressional Globe.
1t will be observed that while Mr.. Bigler is
willing that the Tariff shall be raised 'sas
business affair affecting the Treasury'-ready
cash being matter of great concern with the
present Administration-Gen. Cameron meets
the question fair and square, and says that he
goes s.first for PennSy ylvania, and always for
Pennsy Ivania.o Here is the debate:
Mr.. BIGLER. l present resolutions of the
Legislature of Pennsy lvania in favor of pro-
tective tariff an increase of the duties on coal
and iron, and approving the views of the Pres
ident of the United States, in his late annual
message, in reference 10 specific duties. l
ask that they may be read and referred to the
Committee on Finance, ard that they be print
ed. The Secretary read them.
Mr.. CAMERON. l also have received, and
have the honor to present to the Senate, coun-
terparts of the resolutions of the Legislature
of Pennsylvania, instructing their Senators,
and requesting their Representatives in Con-
gress, to endeavor 10 procure such modifica-
tion of the revenue laws will change the
mode of collection upon their great staples
from ad valorem to specific duties, and there
by, as they believe, prevent frauds, increase
the revenue, and give protection TO American
labor. The resolutions were adopted with
great unanimity, showing some sudden chan
ges in the opinions of men, and proving the
wonderful power of the people in this country
over their representatives, through the ballot
boxes. The vote in the Senate was unanimous
the whole thirty-three voting in the afiirma-
tive. In the House of Representatives, of the
one hundred members, only two voted against
them; and they, as l understand from their
| speeches, did not object to the principle of
protection, but to the propriety of Legislative
instructions to members of Congress.
| cordially approve these resolutions, and
will cheerfnlly obey them; and l will add.
that we will have, as believe, the hearty aid
and support of every Republican In both Hou-
| sss of Congress. But all these are not enough
to pass law. 1t is true, the President of the
United States in his annual message, recon-
mended all that is here asked. He, in his
present high position, is potent for good or
evil. The Legislature thinks that he, know
| ing well the wants and interests of his fel-
low w.citizens, is favorably disposed TO help
| them. l trust he is for if he will only exhib-
| it, in their behalf, small portion of that en-
! ergy which he used vigorously during the
| last session, to settle the Kansas question in
favor of the LecomPton constitution, he will
| very soon have the tariff question out of Con-
| greSs, and see busy hands and cheerful faces
all over that great Commonwealth TO which he
owes his elevation. He has but to say the
| word, and his friends here, and in the other
end of the Capitol, will, as they have done
hitherto, come to his support. 1t will not do
| for him to tell the Industrious, but now idle,
| men of Pennsylvania, that he cannot control
| his Cabinet.u question of policy affecting
| so vitally their interests, and so necessary to
| his Impoverished Treasury. The working
| men of Pennsylvania read, aud think, and act
| upon their own conclusions. They have seen
| his power here other occasions, and they
| will not be content now with his mere recon-
mendation in passing paragraph of his annu-
| al message. Let him act for them as they
| fnrh and ba yrill ha deI
| by their prayers and the blessings of their
| families, when he goes home to find resting
| place among them.
All that the Opposition party can do here on
| this question will avail nothing against the
majority. All the committees in the hands
| of the confidential friends of the President.
| These committees prepare and arrange the
whole business of Congress; and no question
of such importance change of the revenue
| laws can be effected without their sanction. L
am particular in stating these facts, for the
reason that have seen, in a paper al Harris
| burg, edited and controlled by confidential
| friend of the President, an article charging
the Republicans here with wish to prevent
| the passage of new tariff bill this session, so
| as to operate upon the future elections OF our
State. l desire to sa!, in reply to it. that the
| friends of protection will support any bill that
| the Administration may propose, that will give
| to us specific duties, wherever they are prac-
to support the Government. If nothing be
done this session, the responsibility will rest
| with the Democratic party, as now organized,
under the lead of Nj. Buchanan.
| The Republicans and others, with whom !
act. desire to see the debt of the Government
| paid off. Proud of the national honor, they
are unwilling to see this great country using
such shifts as temporary loans, unredeemable
| Treasury notes, and other expedients, such as
| only small country shopkeeper might be eX-
! pected 10 adopt, in the hope that Providence
will work miracle for the especial benefit OF
this Administration, by sudden revival of
| trade to fill their empty Golfers. Trade will
not revive till capitalists see that the policy OF
| the Government is such to insure return
| from investments to be made in manufactures,
and their handmade, commerce. We wish to
| see the Government conducted in the most
| economical manner. We wish it to return to
! the cash system, for we believe that public
debt is great evil, leading to extravaganza,
waste, and corruption; and for this purpose
| we desire change in the tariff that will, with
specific duties, bring into the Treasury, du-
ring the next fiscal year, a sum sufficient for
its ordinary demands, and such surplus as
will, in a reasonable time, pay off the debt in
CURED during the last year-the only debt, l
| believe, ever contracted by this country in
time of peace. The miners and manufacture
ers of sylvania ask no special benefit
from the Government. They ask only THAI
the revenue for its support be collected from
imports wisely laid; that there be no debts
| incurred, and that the duties be so laid and
collected, ,as not to foster the foreign manufac
turers and traders to the injury of our own la
borers and artizans and capitalists.
Mr.. BIGLER. do not intend at this time
to reply to my colleague, at any length.
merely desire to say, that l believe the reso'
lutions embody the sentiments of majority
of my constituents, and that it is my intention
to carry out their spirit SO far as may have g