Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-26
Preteetion to Home Industry,

| tcTSOu, cAutta0tlYE
Prsteetion to Home Industry.
At public meeting of the friends OF do
mestic industry. held in Philadelphia, April
%, 1868, the following resolutions we're
unanimously adopted:
| WHEREAS, The Congressional Committee
Of Ways and Means is instructed to consider
the propriety of revising the Tariff laws, and
to recommend to Congress at its next ses-
sion such legislation upon that subject as
may seem to be expedient; therefore,
| Resolred, That the following statement be
presented to the said Committee as erbody-
ing the views of the productive industrie s
of this country.
First. That the development of our OWE
resources and the firm possession of our own
markets are much more important than for
eign commerce to the welfare of all the
people of this nation, to the solvency of the
government, and to the attraction Of the
better class of immigrants; and that by no
other method can durable resumption of
specie payments be attained than by increas-
ing American production and checking i'm
portation.
Secondly. That to maintain such posses
sion of our own markets, and thus to attain
financial independence, we must be able to
produce at home nearly all the manufactur-
ed articles needed by our people, including
those which require the facilities of great
establishments, of many workmen trained
to special arts, and of large capital, and we
must also be constantly undertaking those
new industries which the advances in the
arts and the progress of civilization re-
quire.
Thirdly. That is is impossible for such
great establishments to prosper, for smaller
ones to spring up, and for the new indus
tries to take root under tickle and unfriend-
ly policy which holds them constantly in fear
of revulsions.
Fourthy. That as a means Of promoting
regular growth in the productive powers of
our country, it is the duty of the Govern
ment to announce, adhere to and steadfastly
act upon the policy of defending its citizens
in their Industrial conflict with foreign ma
tions, of assuring to those who are support
ing the Government marked preference in
our markets over aliens who are our rivals
in peace snd our foes in war. and of oblig
ing foreigners who wish to reap the advan-
tage of the better markets created by our
institutions, to pay toll upon the goods they
send here, and thus share the expense Of
maintaining those institutions.
Filthy. That policy of firm and steady
protection to American industry being dis
tinctly announced,a general tariff law should
be framed embracing the entire range of i'm
ported goods and superceding all former tariff
laws, the duties being made specific so far as
conveniently possible, and high enough to af-
ford fair wages and reasonable profits to such
American workiugmen and employers as
apply themselves with assiduity, skill and
intelligence to industries suited to our condi-
ton and resources. The schedule prepared
by the Pennsylvania Industrial League, which
is founded mainly upon the legislation (un-
| fortunately not concurrent of both Houses of
Congress, and upon the report of the Com
missioner of the Revenue, and which, while
largely increasing the free list and convert
ing numerous ad vaiorem into specific duties,
| reduces the rates upon many articles, and
proposes but moderate increase in any case,
| is worthy of attention as serious effort by
competent persons to frame symmetrical
system of duties On imports.
Sixthly. That in order to diminish the Ia
Dor of Congress and to expedite those future
notifications in tariff legislation which the
new industries or the changes of trade may
from time to time render desirable, some de-
partment, bureau, or commission, should be
created, specifically charged with the duty
of keeping watch over this subject, with au-
thority to examine witnesses, make investi-
CATIONS, hear statements, and to submit to
| Congress at the opening of each session a
| brief report, accompanied. when necessary,
by draft of bill embodying such legisla-
| ton as may seem expedlent.
Seventhly. Experience having clearly
! shown that the maintenance OF domestic pro-
duction is the only sure method for reducing
the prices of manufactured goods, it is grossly
unjust to the employers of operatives who
ask for the legislation needful for keeping
| their hands employed, to charge them with
endeavoring to aggrandize themselves at the
expense of the public They do not desire
or expect for themselves or their employees
to escape from the toll and strife which are
the common lot of man, but they protest
against being obliged TO follow the employ
ers of other countries in experimenting on
the degree Of degradation and misery which
can be endured by laboring population, and
they claim that our national legislation should
be such as to enable our producing classes to
enjoy civilizing influences, and to permit
employers to acquire solidity enough to give
steadiness to manufacturing pursuits.
Resolped, That committee consisting of
Messrs. Joseph Wharton, Henry {. Lea
appointed to present the foregoing state
ment to the Committee of Ways and Means
with power to confer with that Committee,
and to take such action in the premises as
may conduce to the common welfare.
| morton NJ MICHAEL, Chairman.