The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-23

The above figures prove conclusivcly that the
opponents OF a steady influx OF foreign made silks
into the United States have made ont no case in
their favor. On the contrary, We have here shown
that the manufacture OF silk has steadily increased
and, no doubt, il has become source Of wealth TO
those engaged in il. One of the supporters OF the
proposed new scale Of duties admits that the trade
has grown up quety, but with great rapidly, during
the last few years and we are informed by compe-
tent authority THAT he goods now produced are
quite equal in all respects to the imported makes and
sold NJ from ten 10 fifteen per cent lower prices.
II. them such Is the position OF the silk trade IN the
States why attempt, by an absurd system OF legis-
lauon 10 deprive the foreign producers OF tae bene
III which ought TO result from steady and contnu.
Gus demand tor useful an article as silk, II IL
can be manufactured and sold from ten TO fifteen
per cent under the imported value OF other produc
tors, why seek 20 impose unnecessary restrictions
upon importaiions!
IL Is great mistake, however, 10 suppose that
America will ever be in q position 10 manufacture
the whole of the silk used in that country. Even
In England II is found impossible 10 compete with
the foreigner as regards make and color, 20 which
certain important secrets are attached, and which
II would be found difficult 10 initiate successfully.
In the production Of the finest descriptions OF silk
an immense outlay OF capital IL necessary. This
outlay we can hardly expect to witness in com
paratively young country like America within q
given period; though, on the other hand, We are
not prepared 10 say that eventually, such capital
NAV not be found. and that both the quality aud
color Of the silks may in some instances. come mp
10 the European standard. Fortunately for Ameri-
ca the enterprise in SILK manufactures has for some
time past been fostercd By means Of low i'm port da
ties on the raw material. BY the tariff OF 1867 the
duty OF IL per cent was wholly abolished, and
single, train and thrown qualities were ad-
mtted at IL instead OF 10 per cent
the rate established by the act of lsiG. No one
can possibly cavil NJ such q moderate ale, and
all who desire an extension of The trade must al.
low that the legislative enactment admitting raw
qualities free OF duty was Iudcious measure.
That II has been highly favorable 70 the steady de.
velopemcnt Of manufac turing industry must be
evident from the figures we have given above. a.
well rs from the admitted fact that American ma
nuiaCtures are now selling al from ten 10 fifteen
per cent below those imported from Eorope, after,
we presume. leaving handsome profit on produc-
ton. AS regards profit, we are told that the aver
age cost Of manufacture Is about onehaf the value of
raw mataral. folows therefore, that ont Of the the
thirty silk mills nov in operation in different parts
OF the United states-in which are employed
from 1000 10 10 900 hands-a revenue Of about
soOo 600 IS now realized. Many Of the
are sure. be glad 70 be enabled 70 make so favor
able a report Of their proceedings year BY year;
but they have even greater amount Of competi.
ton 10 contend against than the A nericans This
competition H. we admit, chiefly confined 20 the
finest fabrics. for which the continent is so famous
ana 10 certain cOlors, which find great difficult.
" ia initiating. Nevertheless, oar trade shows no
such progressive increase as the American, which
promises 10 become one Of considerable impor-
lance al some future period. Before, therefore,
the executive determines 10 exclude English silks
nom America by the imposition OF high duties the
relative position Of trade should be fully consider
ed. higher duty upon silk manufactures must
lead 20 a falling oil IN general intercourse, and
70 an utter failure OF the principle that Is now en-
dcayorcd 70 be applied TO revenue, viz. an in
creased annual income from restrictive influences.
There j. another question Of considerable mo-
mcnt 10 which we may direct attention, bearing.
a II does. directly upon our commercial inter.
course with America, VIZ. the duty levied upon to-
bacco in this country. The growers In the states
complain that we levy an import duty far too high
20 admit OF an extension Of the growth OF the ar
tiCle and that its amount tends 20 check consump.
ton. Let u examine the truth OF this statement
In lsi7 the value Of the tobacco exported nom the
United States was t7.2i2 ,0S6. In ls52 il had in.
creased TO sl0 03l 2s3. and la 1859 to Ell % OBS
The annexed figures show the value OF the ship.
msnis since lSj2:--
1st2u........fio.05 l 2s3 1s56........si2 2al si3
1s5S.........a u3ig3n 1s5I..........., - go ~
ls5A..Ys....fs 10 Ols.oso 1sss...s*s.. IL o0s 1911
lss5......... IL ia A6s 1859 ........ "a Ola 03s