The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-03-29
correspondence OF tho phoasx.
WAsHrNeTo1 d. O., Maroh "a, 1870.

interests ofsthe people of the District.
In the Hedse, three hours one day In
each months has been set apart for con-
|Bideration-le of its business. This short
space of time appears very little, but
then they have an opportunity of beoom-
ing intimately acquainted with District
affairs; not only from the papers, where
they are daily discussed, but also from
constant contact with the citizens, who
never lose an opportunity of making
their wants known.
A number of important bills have
passed the House. among which is one
to abolish the usury laws, nnd to allow
an interest of ten per cent. in all cases
where contract is made to that effect.
This law will relieve the people here
very much from the exorbitant de-
mands of those who have money to loan,
and who are willing to take all tho risks
under the present law to procure large
interest. 1t is very common to pay
eighteen to twenty per cent. here on the
very best security, and this, too, on large
amounts and on long time. Those per-
sons who are conscientious upon the
subject, prefer to place their funds in
bonds rather than loan at six per cent.
but would rather loan on good paper ut
ten per cent. than take bonds. But then
all of these bills are of minor Importance
to the one giving territorial form of
government to the people. They can
then make their own laws; incorporate
their own companies, and transact all
other business which may be for their
interest. The territorial bill has been
reported to the House, and will be
brought up on the next District day; it
is not doubted at all that it will pass
The Committee of both Houses have
been interviewed, as we'll as large ma
jority of the members and Senutors, and
80 far there seems to be no opposition.
Bowen, the Mayor. and his "bread and
butter brigade" are about Congress all
the while, trying to create opposition,
bnt so far from accomplishing their OBJ
ject, they are disgusting all hands by
their degrading selfishness.
Col. Forney, the prince of American
toadles Is now toadying to the negro
delegation from Georgia, and is endea-
voring to upset the Bingham amend
ment.
Mr.. Kerr, of Indiana, one of the ablest
gentlemen in the House, has delivered
Ouo VI OuO uOSU ClCdT- -uCuu6u, aDlt
speeches upon the tariff question. which
was ever delivered in Congress. The
following extract is eminently worthy OF
quotation:
Who ARE "AMEaIcAN INDUsrRY?'
The greedy protectionists object to re-
duction because it would not afford
sufficient protection to American indus
try. This cry is old, stale, delusive and
often insincere. Who are the people,
the hosts, the toilers, to whose pursuits
they give the cabalistic and pretentious
name of American industry?" Our
population is about 10000, 900 souls.
According to the most reliable cassifica-
ton, forty-one per cent, or about
l6. 400, 900 of these are engaged in and
supported by agriculture; about thirteen
per cent, or $500, 900, are engaged in
and supported by pursuits that are classi-
fed as professional and domestic; about
nine per cent, or 3,600,OOO, are engaged
in and supported by general commerce
and trade, the conveyance of men,
goods and messages; about thirteen per
cent, or 5, 200. 900. are classified ns indie
tiuite and non-productive in their pur-
suits; about twenty-four cent, or
5000, 600, are classified as Industrial, or
engaged in and supported by art and
mechanical productions, in working and
dealing in textile fabrics and in dress,
in food and drink, in animal and vege-
table substances, and in minerals. Near
y all the classes directly or peculiarly
benefited by protection are to be found
under this general designation of indus
hia'. But of them only those classes
are so benefited that are engaged in the
production of iron, steel, copper, coal,
salt. textile fabrics, of wool, cotton, flax,
and lumber and leather, and few more
pursuits of comparatively trihing impor-
tance. All the classes so benefited do
not exceed seven per cent. of the whole
population, or about 2,80O,OOO men,
women and children, equal to about
700, 900 actual producers out OF 40. OOO, 900
producers and consumers. This answer
my question. These represent "Ameri-
can industry" and for them tariffs are
made. To promote their welfare and
magnify their gains, the other 81, 200, 600
of the people are taxed, compelled to
pay forced prices; to pay unjust, cruel
tribute. The cool assumption, arro-
gance and self-importance of american
industry" thus unveiled, touches the
sublime. Why do they assume to be the