The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-14
uanufactures--Rich I'm 0nd.

Editors UtSDUtch: L ackHONicuSc TIC
Justice OF your criticism. 1t Is trde mat
law eXempting capital invested IN manuiac'
turing, even for a limited period, Is uncon-
stituiional. But IL it is necessary TO that
end, the Constitution can be amended. NV
impression is that you err in saying that the
farmers OF Virginia would never submit to
the massage of such law. think you mis-
take their spirit. They have paid their mil
lions and pledged themselves for millions
more to construct railroads and canals, with
the hone that these would build up our
cities and towns, and thus give them home
market for all they could produce. l am
clad TO know that Richmond has so
MANY manufacturing establishments and
that they are all doing well. But
Richmond might do better She has SUI
perior advantages in her water-power and
in her climate. TO insure her prominence
as manufacturing city she needs more cap
ital. the best skilled labor, and the most I'M
proved machinery. These, combined with
her natural advantages, VIII enable her u
manufacture the best articles at the least
DoSsible cost. When she can do that her
manufacturing supremacy will be estab-
| lished The question is, How is she to get
this capital-this skilled labor and improved
machinery! She must offer some induce
ment not heretofore held out TO capitalists,
else they may not avail Themselves OF her
natural advantages. A protective tarlll has
made New England what she is-the rival
in manufactures OF old England Those
who are familiar with the congressional
reports of 1892 will remember the speeches
OF MIR. Calhoun and Mr.. Webster, in which
each explained the seeming inconsistencies
in their respective political courses. Mr..
| Calhoun was then in favor OF free trade,
and Mr.. Webster Of protective tariff. The
latter said that in 1916 the former was in
favor Of a high tariff, while he opposed It,.
| Mr.. Calhoun's measure prevailed. Inc
| tariff law was passed, ard Mr.. WeCsters
constituents, from merely commercial
people, had grown to be manufacturing
one. lie said that they had invested largely
in manufacturing operations, and The re-
moval OF the tariff at that period would
work their destruction. MIR. Calhoun re-
piled that he had never been in favor OF Il
protective tariff; that bis whole object IN
1916 was TO raise revenue sufficient
70 meet the indebtedness OF the nation
incurred by the war OF 1872; that this in
debtedness had been paid off, and there was
no longer any occasion for the tariff for
revenue which had incidentally proved to
be one Of protection. According to Mr.. CAL
boun's theory, the factories Of New Eng
land were the creature Of an accident. But
a fortunate accident We may say 1t was iol
the country. | have no access to any pub
lished data by which | can verify the truth
OF the information, but the OctOgenarlans
of the country, who are now fast passing
away, tell me that before the establishment
OF the New England factories old England
had a monopoly, and that caicOes were al
most as dear then as silks are now. Now
New England, nur,ufed by a protective tariff
EN- infancy TO vigorous manhood. com
} petes successfully with Old England in thu
markets Of the world. And | am informed
that Georgia, without the aid Of hgt
: protective tariff, aad merely by force OF heT
superior natural advantages, is fast enter
J ing into successful competition with New
England in the manufacture OF cotton cloths
, Let some OF the wealthy men OF your city
raise Il million OF dollars, send ST. Andrew
: over to England 10 induce some OF tue bes
skilled operatives to come to your city aat
, engage 10 the manufacture OF cotton cloths
with the most improved machinery, an(
} Richmond will ere long be in the van OF TIT
} great manufacturing cities OF the world.
have had some experience in observing th'
difference i'm appearance in articles manu-
J featured with improved machinery m(
such as were not, and do not think 1t
all strange that the latter cannot Compel
with the former. | could give instances
, but do not care to institute invidious com
parsons. Richmond must have capital
large ELECTROMAGNETIC with her ma
tural advantages. She must combine wit
this capital the best skilled labor in I'll
world and the most improved machinery
and thea her destiny as great manufaC
turing city will be fixed and certain.
.s ills ST. HANOVER.