Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-05-28
PROTECTION TO AMERICAN IN
DUSTRY.

At a public meeting Of the friends Of do
nestle industry, held iu Pbzladelpbia, April
% 1869, the follwing resolutions were
unanimously adopted -
WHEREAS the Congressional Committee
of Ways and Means is instructed to oeonsider
the propriety of revising the Tariff laws,
and TO recommend to Congress at Its next
Session such legislation upon that subject as
may seem to be expedient therefore, Re
solved that the following statement be pre-
sented to the said Committee as ombodying
the views Of the productive industries Of this
country -
First, that the development Of our own
resources and the firm possession Of our own
markets are much more important than for
cicu commerce to the welfare of al the
people of this nation, to the soyency of the
government. and to the attraction Of the
better class of immigrants; aud that by no
other method can a durable resumption of
specie payments be attained than by iucrcas-
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 allthe manufactured
articles needed by our people, including
those which require the facilities Of great
establishments OF many gorkmen trained to
special arts, and Of large capital, aud we
must also be constantly undertaking those
new industries which the advances in the
arts aud the progress ofciviliza6on require
Tb6Iiy That it is impossible for such
great establishments to prosper, fer smaller
ones to spring up, and for the new industries
to take root under a Gckle and sometimes
uufendly policy which holds them constantly
in fear Of revulsions
FoUthh, That as means Of promoting
regular growth in the productive powers Of
our country, it is the duly Of the govern
ment to announce, adhere to, and steadfastly
act upon the policy ofdeiending its citizens
in their industrial conflict with foreign
nations, Of assuring to those who are sup
porting the government marked pre- ference
IN our markets over aliens who are our rivals
IN peace and cur foes in war. aud Of obliging
foreigners who wish to reap the advantage
Of the better markets created by our in
stituti0ns, to pay tollupon the goods they
send here, and thus sbrra the expense Of
maintaining those Institutions
FgAy, 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 aud superseding all former
tariff laws, the duties being made specific
so far as eonyen 4ndy possible and hipb
enough to afford fair wages and reasonable
profits 10 such American working-men and
employers as apply themselves with as
siduity, skill, aud intelligence to industries
suited to our condition and resources. The
schedule prepared by the Pennsylvania In
dust1ial League which is founded mainly
upon the legislation unfortunately not con
clrren0 of both Houses OF Congress. and
upon the Report ofthc Commissioners the
Revenue, and which, while largely increa,-
ing the free list and converting numerous
ad yalorem into specific duties, reduces the
rates upon many articles, and proposes but
moderate increase in any case, is worthy of
attention as a serious effort by corpetent
persons to frame a symmetrical system Of
duties on imports.
Slcthly, That in order 10 diminish ,lc
labor Of Congress, and TO expedite those
future notifications in taria. legislation
which the development of new industries or
the changes Of hade may from time t, time
render desirable, some department. bureau
oreommission, should be created. specifically
charged with the duty of keeping watch over
this subject, with authority to examine
witnesses, make investigations hear state
mepts, and to submit TO Congress at the
opening Of each session brief renort ar.
companied, when necessary, by a draft Of a
bill embodying such legislation as NAV seem
expedient
Heeethiy, Experience having clearly
shown that the maintenance Of domestic
productlonis Is the only sure method for re-
ducing the prices Of manufactured coo3s If
Is grossly unjust to the employers Of opera.
tlves who ask for the legislation needn't tor
keeping their hands employed, to cbarge
them with endeayoring to agrrap6ize them.
selves at the expense of the public. They
DO not desire or expect for themselves on
their employees to escape from the toll and
STRIFE which are the common lot of man bpt
they protest against being obliged to follow
the employers Of other countries in ex-
perlmentlng on the degree of DEGRADATION
ana misery which can be endured by
laoering population, and they claim tbatonr
national legislation should be such as 70 on
ao,e our producing classes to enior eiviliz;ng
influences, and to permit employers to ao-
qulFe sohdity enough to give steadiness 10
manufacturing pursuits
Hesotcfd, That committee oo,s;s,;.u 90
Mes. messrs. Joseph Wharton, Henry g lea
" lllam Sellers, and Morton NcsIicbael h.
appointed to present the foregoing statement
TO the Committee of Ways and Means mn
power to confer with that Committee and
to take such action iu the premises a NAV
conduee to the common welfare
MORTON MoMlcHAEL, Chatenta
CYRUS ELDER, Seceta,q.
We are heartily glad to sec that the
friends OF the American laborer are making
an earnest effort to impress upon Congress
at Its next Session the vital importance of
fostering all our own home industry as the
'nly means OF securing permanent prosper
~ The plausible theories of the free
raiders are once more assiduously pressed