Year: 1863

Tux STRUGGLE FOR THE REDUCTION OF TIE
PAPER DvTr.-Congress is fast approaching the
end Of the session, and no report has as yet
been made by the Committee of Ways and
Means in regard to the proposed reduction of
the duty on paper We look upon its defeat -
foregons conclusion, and would advise the
publishers to give themselves no further trouble
about the matter. As to our own interest in ii,
We are entirely Indifferent as to the result The
shortsightedness and folly of the papermakers
will place them by and bye completely st our
mercy. Before many months are ever they will
have driven half the newspapers and publishing
houses cut of existence. How many Of their
own establishments will survive the ruin which
their cupidity will have brought upon those
who at present help so largely to sustain them.
Not more than third, perhaps When this
comes to pass, as it undoubtedly will, we shall
see on which side the "writhing" will be.


II Is useless to indulge the expectation that
Congress will do anything towards the altera-
ton Of the duty during the present session. The
vote obtained in the Committee Of Ways and
Means on Saturday taken in connection with
other circumstances, sufficiently indicates the
rejection of the proposition. 1t is, Of course,
motive Of patriotism that indisposes members to
make any change In the law. 1t ia trne that
Mr.. Chase has shown that with the present high
rate Of duty, but little or no revenue can be
derived from this source. The papermakers
are, however. closer reasoners than the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, and they have no doabt
touched the convictions of members in way
that has satisfactorily disposed of his aver
ments. 1t matters bat little that the spread Of
education and political knowledge is arrested
If Mr.. Chases budget can be hclped out. 1t is
true that the Secretary himself cannot see how
an unproductiye tax Of this sort is to assist him.
He is convinced that lower duty would bring
more revenue. But what of that? The paper
makers are better fnanciers than Mr.. Chase.
At all events they know how to make little
money go further.


In the meanwhile, if We cannot succeed in
efecting q reduction Of the duty during the
present session, it is satisfaction to know that
its protective character will not have the usual
effect of srresting competition. In the convic-
tion that the present state Of things can only
continue for short time, more strenuous exer-
tions than ever are being made to effect such
improvements in the manufacture Of paper as
will render its cost lighter than at present.
Wood, cornstalks, straw and bark have all been
experimental upon with more or less success:
but there is another material recently dis
covered which is said to possess better fibre
than any of them, aud which produces paper
almost as fine and firm in quality as any made
from rags. Several capitalists have taken the
matter in hand, and should the experiments
now being made realize the promised result, it
is calculated that they will be able to enter the
market under the most favorable conditions,
and undcrsell all the present makers. From
what we have heard of this discovery, it pro-
misses to effect quite a revolution in the manu-
fscture, and TO disturb considerably existing
interests.