The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-22

the larger part Of this small dlnerence. Inc
true disadvantage Of our wsollen manuiac-
turers, at this time, is in the oppressive pro-
tective tax upon wool, dyestuffs and oil, and
upon all the supplies entering into the cost
of goods; and, also, in the duties on the
materials entering into the cost OF machine
ry. A skilful German manufacturer OF cas-
simeres lately gave the opinion, that II Inc
Rhode Island manufacturer had his wool
and other materials free Of tax sit would be
"more likely that American cassimeres would
"be exported to Germany than that German
.scassimeres would come here, the use OF ma
"chinery and the economy OF labor being
ssmuch greater here than there" Taking the
case OF cotton cloth, we find that the ad-
vantage Of England in the lower cost OF
labor is but six-tenths Of q cent yard upon
goods worth II cents; from which must be
deducted, as before. the cost Of transporta-
ton and other charges. On the other hand,
we have the advantage of being nearer the
cotton field, which, in coarse fabrics, gives
US "the advantage over England even in
sther own colonies" The real advantage
OF the English spinner is in the absence OF
taxes on the materials OF his machinery; IN
the absence Of tariff taxes upon food, iuel
and clothing; and in his freedom from any
local taxes upon his machinery. The whole
tax-system OF Great Britain is upon 1.-The
principle Of avoiding taxation upon tools or
machinery, or upon processes OF labor.
Hence, our foreign competitor has the world
for market; while "we are restricted to
'the home market almost entirely, by the
obstruction which high tariff interposes
'to foreign imports, and, therefore, to foreign
oexports" AS to the absurd allegation OF
the proteetionist that our cotton mills will
all be stopped, il British cotton goods are
admitted at very low or revenue rates OF
duty, Mr.. Atkinson says:
"Of course, an injury would be done 10 the
cotton interest or 10 any other, II The duties
were exceptionally removed; but let US at
tempt to foretell the effect upon cotton indus
try of the enactment Of q general revenue
tariff at low rates. We spin nearly two-ftths
as much cotton IN the United States as is spun
| In Great Britain. Even now (July, 1871. when
her existing mills are on full speed, operatives
are scarce and the tendency is to rise IN
wages; suppose we shut up our Mills under lne
| compulsion of free-trade tarif, and ask Eng
land to spin and weave up into clotn m anolner
million bales of cotton on seven million new
spindles in the construction OF whlcn sne
must first expend about one hundred million
dollars, and 10 operate which she must IND
one hundred and twenty thousand new opera
tives. What would be her reply? Should we
not find it. at the first moment, IN such an ao-
vance in English wages to par with our own
as would forever eoualize them, and then for
ever alter leave unimpaired our great ad-
vantage over Great Britain In being the pro-
ducers within our own borders of supera-
bundant supply of cotton and OIL 1uod! wei.
and truly did an Englishman OF eminent sagac.
ity once say 10 me: You will lind the best
free.trade; and We have only to dread your
rivalry when you adopt that policy. While
you persist in your present system, you do not
succeed in excluding us from your market. but
you do succeed in limiting your own exports
10 the crudest forms Of raw material
The next plea for protection in the United
States is based on the high rate OF interest
upon capital, and the alleged very low rates
in England. But the high rates in this
country only prove that capital is well en-
ployed. Shall it then he diverted to employ
ments which require great concentration OF
capital, like cotton and wool mills, to the
detrimeut Of all the other employments
which cannot be protected, and which pay
such high rates for its use?
THE last plea Of the protecliouist which we
shall attempt 10 state is, that this is new
country, possessed Of enormous natural re-
sources which need 10 be developed. Let us
nut this plea In different form. In old times,
about one hundred years since, Great Britain
attempted 10 put stop TO the rapid increase
In the product OF iron and steel ana OF WOOL
len cloth 1.-THE cotton-gin had not then been IN
vented) In the colonies OF America, ana M lhls
attempt was one Of the causes OF our war OF
Independence. Her manufacturers then urged
Parliament 10 protect their old and well.eslab-
lished manufactures against the Stalwart In
iant Just born here. Then our natural re-
sources were considered power and force;
now, forsooth, we must believe them TO be
source of weakness. and cannot be developed
except by means OF bounty granted at lhe
cost of those who own no share in them; that
Is to say. at the cost Of that great prepender-
alipg mass of the community who W0rk LOT
wages, and as producers and consumers pay
nearly all the taxes on commodities, wnelner
levied under tariff or under any other sys-
tem."
We have now followed Mr.. Atkinson
through his explanation OF the principles OF
the American Free-traders. His exposition
OF the expected effects OF Revenue Reform
upon American industry must be postponed
to another occasion.