網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

H. OF R.]

The Tariff Bill.

business, with heavy losses, is nearly if not quite equal to those who have succeeded.

The difficulty, then, of predicating any rate of interest upon a business depending for its success so much on personal qualifications, will at once be seen.

If the present owners of cotton mills in Rhode Island would be at the pains of ascertaining from their books the immense losses which the previous owners of many of their establishments have sustained, it is possible that something like an average profit might be arrived at. But this will not be done; and I shall, therefore, submit a test which may give us a more general, and, I think, a fairer view of the business.

[JAN. 30, 1833.

present time, and I am equally mistaken if the original sums would not exceed the value of all the mills, with profits added, now owned in the State of Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, it is well known that millions of dollars have been sunk. No one with whom I have conversed, has ever pretended that our neighbors are as well off as ourselves. These two States, it will be remembered, contain the owners of more than one-half of all the spindles in the country; and without pretending to know the result of the operations in other States, I think I may safely affirm that all the mills owned in both States, sold at what similar mills may now be built for, and profits added, would not produce a sum equal to the original expenditures.

By the report of the committee of the recent New York Convention, it appears that the whole number of The causes of this result are numerous. For several spindles in the United States is 1,246,000. The number of the first years, machinery was excessively dear and exin Rhode Island is 235,000, owned wholly by inhabitants cessively poor. The early adventurers added their proof Rhode Island. The number in Massachusetts is 339,000, fits to the extension of their establishments, and the great but 100,000 of that number is owned by citizens of Rhode fall in the prices of machinery in 1816, '17, and '18, added Island. In Connecticut, over 50,000 more belong to this to the wear and tear, almost equalled, up to that period, State. The whole number, therefore, owned in Rhode a total loss of the first cost and intervening profits. The Island, is 400,000; nearly one-third of the aggregate num- hope of large incomes attracted unskilful men into the ber in the United States. business, and the current opinion, as prevalent then as now, that 20 per cent. income was one of the ordinary results of a cotton mill, led to a total disregard of economy. New inventions required large expenditures for new machines; and the gradual decline of prices of the fabric itself aided the downward pressure upon the manufacturer.

The business commenced in this State in 1790. From 1790 up to 1806, the increase of spindles was but 5,000. From 1806 up to October, 1815, the number increased to 132,000; and in 1827, there were within thirty miles of the town of Providence, owned almost entirely by inhabitants of this State, 317,538. Seven-eighths of the owners of one-third of all the cotton spindles in the The most active among all the causes which have United States live within fifteen miles of this town. hitherto frustrated the hopes of the manufacturer, has With most of them I am personally acquainted. With been the gradual decline of the prices of machinery. It very few exceptions, they personally superintend their was this which caused most of the failures in 1829, and it mills, and the various business connected with them; and is this which will produce future embarrassments, not now if twenty and thirty years' experience, united with un-anticipated, by men who are lavishly advancing princely common vigilance and industry, give promise of success, fortunes in this precarious business. It appears to me the Rhode Island mill owners have had ample grounds at that one moment's reflection would check the ardor and least to hope for it. zeal with which these investments are making. Machinery is of itself an article of manufacture, and the prices now paid are, upon a moderate computation, fifty per cent. higher than English prices for similar machines.

The result of the experiment here, from 1806 down to 1832, ought to be admitted as a fair test of the productiveness of cotton spinning. What is the fact known to every business man in the community? It is this: that at Recent importations have been made of English mathe period immediately succeeding the termination of the chinery under a charge of 55 per cent. on the original cost, war in 1815, one-half of the manufacturers failed. I have and still the English article, so imported, costs 30 per before me papers containing the names of the mills, of cent. less than the American. There has been less dotheir owners, and the number of spindles, in 1806, 1815, mestic competition in that than in cotton cloths, but the 1820, and 1827. Having been in the practice of the law price has been declining, and will continue to decline, from 1804 to the present time, and somewhat conversant until it approaches as near the original cost in England, with business men, some means of information have been as coarse American cotton cloths have approached similar afforded me; and I fully believe that the number who English fabrics. have failed, or retired with heavy losses, equals those who have survived. My papers and other means of information are open to examination, if it is thought the estimate is too large.

Suppose this period to be five or ten years distant. One hundred thousand dollars is expended in eighteen hundred and thirty-two, upon machinery for a cotton mill; that five years hence the same machinery will be But the survivors are here, and, among them, who has built for 50 per cent. less, and the ordinary wear to be 25 grown rich by the manufacture of cotton fabrics? Three per cent. more. Here then is a loss of 75 per cent. of gentlemen who commenced in 1790, partly by commer- the capital in five years. If the period of decline is procial speculations, but principally by cotton mills, have tracted for ten years, the deterioration by wear is inmade their fortunes. One other, who, I believe, began as early as 1804 or '5, and who would thrive in whatever business and whatever portion of time or space you place him, is also rich.

creased, but the chance of balancing the evil by increased profits is doubled. The period at which this minimum price must be encountered, is uncertain; but if all experience is not deceptive, it must be met at some period or Here, then, are four men, and only four, who have en- other, and, until it does arrive, the capitalist will have to riched themselves by this employment. If other fortunes contend with it. From 1806 down to the present time, have been made, they have also been concealed. They the history of this branch of American industry fully have been kept from my knowledge, and the knowledge evinces the activity and power of this counter current, of those who mingle with them in the daily business of and the sore disappointments it has never failed to lay at life. Let this business be compared with any other in the door of the sanguine and credulous capitalists. The which equal capital has been expended, and I am much manufacturer who begins with small investments, transmistaken if, during the same period, much larger results acts his own business, pays no salaries and no interest for have not been produced. Or let any one be at the pains money, may calculate upon returns adequate to the active of calculating four per cent. interest annually upon all ca- agencies constantly at work against him. But the period pital expended in Rhode Island, from 1806 down to the is fast approaching when capitalists will become convinc

JAN. 30, 1833.]

The Tariff Bill.

[H. OF R.

ed that gentlemen manufacturers, like gentlemen farmers, ard, might renew his efforts under still more auspicious may expect every thing else except six per cent. from prospects than now exist, for the only obstacle now in his their investments. path, the high rate of wages, would be removed, and soAccording to my views of the protective system, one ciety would then become what it is now in England, comof its original objects was to lessen the profits of this posed of the few immensely rich, and the many immensebranch of industry, and thereby drive the capitalist out ly poor. A gradual or a sudden reduction of the duties, of the business. Its great and leading object was to aid therefore, would ultimate either in a permanent overthe farmer by sustaining the prices of his product, and to throw of the business itself, or in such diminution of furnish materials for commerce. The encouragement of wages as would enable us to manufacture at English manufactures was no part of the object of the tariff laws, prices. Put the question in whatever shape we can, it but a mere means by which the prices of agriculture must result in a diminution of wages, and of the prices of might be kept up, and the prices of manufactured articles the product of the farmer. brought down. In a legislative view, neither the number It may be asked, if the American fabric, in case of the nor wealth of the manufacturers was sufficiently large to reduction of the duties, cannot be afforded at English deserve attention. Compared to the great interests of prices, unless we pinch the laboring classes, by lowering agriculture, they were, in 1816, as a drop in the ocean. wages, how can they be afforded at those prices if the Congress were then convinced that the great interests of duty remains, without the same diminution of wages? agriculture stood in need of a market at home; and the How can the fabric be made cheaper than it now is, unonly means which human ingenuity has yet discovered, less the cost of production is lessened, and, in order to are to lessen the producers and increase the consumers. lessen the cost of production, must we not lessen the The less profit the capitalists realize the better, provided profit of the manufacturer, or the wages which we pay the business goes on. One of the most beneficial effects to the various persons employed by him? and it may also of the protective system is that it is constantly diminish-be asked, what has the tariff to do with the cost of proing the necessity and the profit of large capitals, by duction?

bringing in competition with it the ingenuity, skill, and I answer, that the great object of the tariff is to lessen enterprise of men of slender means. Such men, aided the price of the manufactured article, without diminishby a few years more of protection, will take the business ing the rate of wages; that to a considerable extent it has as exclusively into their own hands as are other branches already been accomplished, and that time and permanent of the mechanic arts. and steady legislation are alone wanting to complete it.

According to my view of the subject, the great ques-If the price of wages is forced down to a bare subsistence, tion which is involved in the hypothetical reduction of there will be no difficulties in the way. The whole sysduties to 12 per cent. ad valorem, is, what will become tem may then be safely abandoned, for the poorer classes of the farmer, the artisan, the ingenious man, a whole must work or starve. But, in a legislative view, the generation of whom have grown up since the adoption of working classes of society ought to be prominent objects the system in 1816, and, under the faith of the continuance of attention. It is important that prices should be low, of that system, moulded themselves to these employments? but it is quite as important that the laborer should be so Cotton to the amount of about 2,000,000 dollars is annually well paid that he may command an equal share of the imported into Providence, and manufactured into cloth, comforts of life. which sells for about 7,000,000 dollars. Although, as I The tariff laws were made in order that all working have attempted to show, the capitalists receive but a men, the farmer, the mechanic, the manufacturer, and mere pittance of the latter sum, yet the people of Rhode the various other persons who depend on their industry Island, the farmer, the artisan, the mechanic, the laborer, for support, might enjoy their full and equal share of the &c. divide among them the 5,000,000 dollars. From comforts of life. The great object was to keep up the them it goes to the producer of flour, corn, lumber, coal, product of the farmer, and the wages of all the other iron, and all the variety of products of the Middle and classes. The profits of the capitalist no one regarded, Eastern States. This equal diffusion of wealth among all unless so far as connected with other interests. There classes of society, and over the whole country, is the dis- is no danger but that moneyed men will take care of themtinguishing characteristic of manufacturing industry. selves. Nearly all the capitalists in New England were Lower the present rate of duty, and expose us to the opposed to the protective system, and the operation and irruption of English fabrics, and our mills must stop, unless effect of that system will be to drive the capitalist out of our artisans will work at half their present wages. In the business. At present the wealth of Boston is openthat event they will consume less of the productions of ing its veins, and running freely into cotton mills. This the Middle and other States. Should the business con- is as it should be. Capitalists are building them, and at tinue at all, the capitalist will fare as well as he now does. a future day their agents and overseers will own them, The whole pressure would fall upon the laborer and the producer. A gradual and progressive reduction of duty would tend to a gradual reduction of wages and consump

tion:

and this latter class are the only men who will thrive. The business of manufacturing cotton is already assuming that shape in Rhode Island. The capitalist is becoming the owner of the privilege, buildings, and other fixtures, A sudden reduction would stop wages, and stop all in order to rent them to the operator. This latter hires consumption of the products of other States, leaving our his machinery, or makes it himself; and although he pays mechanics and artisans the alternative of emigrating to, the same wages that are paid at mills owned and operated and cultivating the cheap and rich soils of the Western by men who do not work in them themselves, yet he can States, or of forcing a scanty subsistence from the hard afford his cloth from ten to fifteen per cent. cheaper. and unyielding hills of New England. Many laborious The object, then, and the direct tendency of the tariff is and worthy men, by years of industry, have become part to keep up the price of wages, thereby encouraging the owners of some of the various branches of the manufac-operator, so that eventually he may be the sole manager turing business. Their principal capital is their indus-of the business. When that period arrives, which is at try. Such could not survive the shock, for no one can hand, our other advantages over England are such, that, doubt that a sudden reduction would suspend all opera- without any reduction of wages, we can produce the fations for a few years at least; what little property they bric quite as cheap as the Manchester prices. When possess would sink so low that they never could revive gentlemen who ride in coaches shed their character of again. The capitalist, on the contrary, after necessity cotton spinners, the victory of the tariff will be complet. had forced down the price of wages to the English stand-ed, and not until then.

[blocks in formation]

JOHN WHIPPLE.

[JAN. 30, 1833.

My clear and decided opinion, then, is, that not a line made some dividends while they continued the business, or a letter of the tariff laws ought to be touched; that but the concern was closed at their failure, with a loss of every yard of English goods brought into the country, about 40,000 dollars. The rent received during the next which we possess the means of manufacturing, is, pro seven years was little more than nominal. The present tanto, a tax upon the farmer, and the entire class of the owners have realized an average of seven and threeworking men of the nation; and that their interest ought fourths per cent. for interest of money, insurance, and all not ever to be brought into danger by the threats of dis- hazards. This is the rate of profit upon the capital emunion; which, for the purpose of intimidation, Southern ployed from year to year. This capital consists of the politicians are daily heaping upon us. If the planters of amount paid in 1823, and since, together with the annual South Carolina, who reap the fruits of this fructifying sys-profits since, which have been added to the fixed and tem more abundantly than the abused capitalist of the floating capital. Were the interest cast on the money North, will blindly persevere in attributing to the tariff actually paid in, aside from these profits and new investconsequences which flow directly from their climate, po- ments, at the above rate of seven and three-fourths per pulation, exhausted lands, and, more than all the rest, their cent. (though this is too low to cover the hazard of the aversion to labor; if a small minority of this great family, business,) and then the establishment sold for cash, which who will not work, are upon this subject to dictate terms is perhaps the proper mode, there might or might not to those who do, they will expect to dictate upon all other be a surplus to divide, after reimbursing the capital. This subjects and all other occasions; and however painful would depend upon the circumstances under which the even the thought of a separation may be, I for one had sale was made. Were the season a prosperous one, and rather submit to it than to the humiliating spectacle of the were there a measurable certainty that the legislation of whole farming and laboring classes of this extended em- Government would not set every thing afloat, and effect a pire ground down to a beggared poverty by English and sudden and entire change in the value of the property, Scotch speculators in foreign goods. the result might be favorable. Were these two leading Respectfully, &c. circumstances reversed, and the sale made in such a season as 1829, when our most judicious and experienced men deemed there was no intrinsic value in a cotton mill,' or should the proposed reduction be made in the duties on imports, the establishment would not sell for any considerable proportion of the money actually invested. It is believed that many manufacturers, in calculating their profits and losses, do not pursue the above mode, which appears the only correct or safe one. There the great uncertainty as to what legislative measures may are many causes, aside from the revulsions in trade, and be adopted upon the subject, and the latter have a very powerful and injurious influence, which are constantly from the moment it is erected. The depreciation by wear operating to lessen the value of a cotton manufactory and tear, and that caused by a decline in the prices of machinery, are both very great; but the improvements, or alterations at least, constantly making in machinery, which Mr. P. resumed. I have no disposition to break a cause vast sums to be expended for new machines in lance with the gentleman from New York. I have hi- place of old ones, which are thrown aside, are a still more therto had a great share of respect for him. I shall en-powerful cause. It is notorious that different machines deavor to continue that respect, but he ought to be the and operators, of equal advantages and skill, are very last man in this House to blame me for doing what has apt to differ in opinion about different machines and their uniformly been done by every member who has address-utility; in short, there is nothing fixed or certain in the ed the committee. I hope I shall not be so unfortunate business, except the fact that money invested in a cotton with my speech as that gentleman was with his a few days mill can seldom or never be reclaimed. And to render ago-one day he made a speech in favor of nullification the business profitable and safe, or as much so as many and secession, and spent the whole of the next in explain- other branches of business, I have sometimes thought it ing it away and taking it back. Not content with this ought to be, though it is far from being, like a West India course, he afterwards had recourse to one of the news-plantation, and produce as much in a few successful years papers of the city, to publish an addendum to his work as the estimated value of the establishment, to guard of two days. One day, Mr. Chairman, he planted his against the many disastrous seasons, the many uncertainruta baga, which he found very necessary the next day to ties that attend the trade.

PROVIDENCE, 16th March, 1832. [While the Clerk was reading the foregoing paper, Mr. ROOT, of New York, rose to a question of order, whether it was competent for a member to read, or cause to be read, a written or printed speech; for certainly what the Clerk was reading must be taken as a part of the gentleman's speech.

The CHAIR decided that it was the undoubted right of the gentleman from Rhode Island to send to the Clerk any statement or testimony which he might be anxious to

have read.

Mr. Roor replied, that in the English House of Lords the members could vote by proxy, but he never knew before that it was in order for a member here to make a speech by proxy.]

dig up. At the end of his first day's labor, one of the most "The alternate gluts and scarcities, already alluded to, distinguished nullifiers in the House pronounced his speech have so much influence upon the markets as to render it to be "the voice of one crying in the wilderness," but difficult to answer this question. Were the importers in reply, it was quaintly said "that it was such a voice as and foreign manufacturers required to guaranty that ought to be confined to the wilderness, and ought not to they would not sell any goods in our market at a loss, we be heeded by man in a state of civilization." But a truce would readily assent to a material reduction in the duties; with the gentleman from New York. but the present mode of pouring upon us such excessive

I have further testimony, Mr. Chairman, from a source quantities of surplus goods of refuse stocks, in short, of not less respectable, to show that these establishments goods which must be sold, at whatever loss, (which is, have not been so profitable as they have been represented. probably, in many instances, made up by the profits of [Here Mr. P. read and commented on the following their regular trade at home, and in other channels, in answers to queries from the Treasury Department, made which it would be ruinous to put down the prices, as they by the agent and one of the proprietors of the Crompton do frequently in this country,) requires the duties to be mills factory, in Warwick, Rhode Island.] much higher, in order for the American manufacturer to

"There is no such distinction between capital borrow-carry on his business with any degree of safety. Were ed and not borrowed, as contemplated by the question. the tariff repealed, and our market regained by the BriThe original owners invested a capital of 80,000 dollars, tish, as it would be in that event, they would, in all pro

JAN. 30, 1833.]

The Tariff Bill.

[H. OF R.

bability, be more cautious how they glut it; they would native sandy capes of New England, and live on fish, but regulate it as they do other markets under their control, deprived of the many comforts they now enjoy, and esand it cannot be doubted but they would be able to ad- pecially of the schools we have established for their use. vance prices very materially, and very soon. The de- Some, indeed, being children of farmers in the immedistruction of the home competition would but add greatly ate neighborhood, might return to their parents and to the evil. As to the question of moderate protection,' friends, and share with them those means. which might upon the expediency of which the commissioner's views remain after the loss of the great and excellent market are solicited by the Government, in order to decide it, it for their produce, thus doubling the evil to them. seems only necessary to inquire, what is the object of the "In order to judge, in fact, of the propriety of the proprotective system? It may readily be answered: to give posed reduction, (which I consider tantamount to a reemployment and remuneration to home industry. But is peal of the tariff,) it is only necessary to look at the there not another object closely connected with this, viz. direct and immediate consequences which must ensue, furnishing the consumers, the whole people of the Unit-particularly in this section of the country, viz. nearly the ed States, with manufactures as cheap, or cheaper, tak-total destruction of the immense capital employed in the ing into consideration the increased ability which it im- manufacture of cotton and wool, and the bankruptcy of parts to purchase, as those imported from abroad? How most of the numerous proprietors of these works; the is this double object to be attained? Is it by providing very great number of laborers and artisans employed in that half way, 'moderate' protection, which does not them would either be left without employment, and desabsolutely destroy our manufactures, but merely suffers titute, or thrown upon agriculture, which, losing its home them to live a sickly, lingering existence, inviting, at the and only market by the same blow, could not sustain the same time, foreign manufacturers to send their wares shock, but must be ruined also; the coasting trade, now here, so that both may struggle for the mastery in our so unprecedentedly flourishing by means of the prospermarkets, and each alternately prevail, perhaps, as extrin- ous state of domestic industry, would be very nearly desic circumstances favor one or the other? Or is it to be stroyed; internal trade, in all its thousand ramifications, obtained by affording, at once, a full and adequate pro-would languish; and foreign navigation, so much of which tection, such as will at once establish manufactures at is now employed in carrying abroad our manufactures, home on an extensive scale? I appeal to past experience and bringing home various materials used in them, would to decide which of these systems is best fitted to attain the be confined to exporting that portion of our agricultural avowed objects of both, confident that it will be found products which are admitted by the high tariffs of the that each article of our manufacture that has been com- rest of the world, and to importing what foreign articles pletely protected, and been established a reasonable time, we could pay for, and not be benefited by the change. has fully realized the objects in view, and declined in price much more than those articles which have only been moderately protected."

"The population of the Eastern States would be obliged to emigrate to the West, which is already in want of a market for many of her valuable productions, and "Ask the farmer what he would do with his land were these greatly aggravate the evils of over production; the he denied the privilege of cultivating it; or, what is the agricultural products of the Middle, Western, and Southsame thing, were he deprived of a market for the sale of ern States, of which we now consume such quantities, his produce. Ask the shipowner what he would do with would be greatly diminished in value; the country would his ship were there no merchandise to transport from port be inundated with foreign manufactures, and exhausted to port. In the event supposed, I should have no capital of all its specie to pay for them in a very short time. Thus to employ in any other business. Capital invested in ma- should we become bankrupt, both as a nation and as innufactures cannot be transferred into any other business, dividuals, and reduced to the greatest poverty and disin the supposed case, because it cannot be transmuted tress." into gold and silver again. A cotton mill is of no more use, except to manufacture cotton cloth, than land to lie unimproved, or a ship to rot at the wharf. If I could not carry on my establishment, no one could; no one, therefore, would buy it, and it would sink into ruin.”

"Suppose the article a common 4.4 brown sheeting, it would be worth about 83 cents, or the amount of the present duty; an equivalent ad valorem duty would be then 100 per cent.; were the article a cambric print, worth 35 cents the square yard, the duty should be 25 per cent.. "Were the duties thus reduced, it is probable the ma- It is obvious that no rate of ad valorem duty could be nufacture of the very coarsest cotton goods might be car-equivalent to the present with the minimum," because ried on, notwithstanding the competition which would that is a per centage on the value, and the present is tanprobably take place with an imported article of similar tamount to a specific duty; the per centage, but not the appearance, but made of inferior stock, and much less amount of duty, varying with the value of the article. durable. I do not think that any other fabric could with- The present duty is prohibitory of the first article above stand the foreign competition, and it is well known, that mentioned, and might with propriety be reduced in relaby far the heaviest capital, and most expensive machinery, tion to it, were it not for the frauds which would be and greatest skill, are now employed in the finer manu-practised the moment a distinction were attempted befactories. It is difficult to say what employments would tween different kinds of goods, whether by a valuation, remain to be successfully followed after such a deplora- a division into coarse and fine, or in any other mode; and, ble change in the affairs of the country. As a single in- therefore, it seems most advisable to retain the high duty dividual, having been a lawyer by profession, I could upon the low priced article, especially as it does no harm could doubtless find employment in such a state of things. more than one would of half the amount; it is never paid, My partner, too, being an extensive merchant, might and is merely nominal. This point was considered by the continue to follow his present pursuit. But it is easy to manufacturers in 1828, when an addition was desired foresee what would be the result of so many rushing into (which was made by Congress) to the minimum, in order commerce as would do so. But what would become of to reach the finer and more valuable description of goods. the four hundred women and children employed by us, Instead of attempting any definition of such goods, it was and the numerous families dependent upon them? They unanimously agreed that raising the minimum would be could obtain no other employment; many would be dri- the preferable mode, and that this would have no effect ven back to the cities and towns whence they came, and upon the coarse descriptions, which were already prothere pine in poverty and want, as they did before they hibited.

removed to the factories, and be exposed to all the temp- "I consider the minimum valuation the best part of the tations of vice and crime. Others would go back to their system, and that alone which has almost wholly prevented

[ocr errors]

H. of R.]

The Tariff Bill.

[JAN. 30, 1833.

frauds in articles of cotton manufacture, such as have been nufactures need no further protection than this bill gives, so extensively practised in woollens. It is unfortunately because cotton goods are exported already. This is true, sometimes misunderstood, as intended to indicate the ac-but not to much extent, and none but the heaviest and tual value of the article embraced in it. It has been coarsest goods are exported on which more stock and stated, even on the floor of Congress, that when the mi- less labor are bestowed, and such as have not been made nimum of 25 cents per square yard was established by the in England to a very great extent. The business of extariff of 1816, that was the actual value of the article re-porting cotton goods is rather a chance business, ventured ferred to; whereas, by a reference to the proceedings of upon occasionally by our merchants who are the most enCongress at the time, it will appear that the tariff_was terprising in the world, who drive their commerce into established almost exclusively with reference to India every port that is open to them, and who export cotton cottons, the average value of which was 9 cents per yard. The duty being 25 per cent. on 25 cents, or 64 cents, was consequently 70 per cent.

"It has been the object of subsequent tariffs to embrace other goods from 9 to 35 cents; as they can have none but a prohibitory effect, except upon articles say from 15 to 35 cents, if we suppose the average value of cottons imported is between these sums, say 25 cents, the really effective per centage of duty paid is considerably less now than it was in 1816, upon the articles intended to be embraced by the tariff of that year. It is, in fact, but 35 instead of 70 per cent.

goods as a remittance or an adventure, sometimes making a profit and as often losing. The exportation of these goods is by no means a regular business. Those merchants who have tried it the longest have lost by it and given it up. What business, Mr. Chairman, is so desperate as not to be sometimes hazarded by some? I have already stated the probable amount invested in cotton manufactories in Rhode Island, and now have the returns of the number of the cotton and other manufactories in Rhode Island, from the Treasury Department. Gentlemen need not be alarmed, for I shall not read the paper which I have now in my hand, but will only call "Such have been the frauds practised in woollens, by the attention of the committee to an abstract of these reattempting to regulate the duties by the cost of them in turns, from which will be learnt that there are in Rhode the country whence imported, it is presumed it is not con- Island 119 cotton mills, 238,877 spindles, number of men templated to apply this mode to cotton manufactures. employed 1,744, women 3,301, children 3,550, whose But the mode suggested by the question is believed to be aggregate wages amount to $1,214,515. Shall these men, liable to as great or greater objections. In the first place, women, and children, be thrown out of their employment, it would be extremely difficult to find suitable appraisers; and turned beggars upon the world, by our legislation? in order to ensure the requisite skill and information, they They will then be fit for treason, stratagems, and spoil; must be selected from those merchants engaged in the yes, sir, and nullification too. Will they, sir, submit to trade of importing, or, at least, in that of buying and such a state of things as the passage of this bill will proselling here; and if so, however skilful and experienced, duce? We do not deal in menaces or gasconade, to the as well as respectable they may be, they would be too extent indulged in by some portions of this Union. We much interested in the subject to make, in all cases, a are slow to anger. A vertical sun has not to the same correct appraisal. In fact, they would have it in their degree warmed our blood, or caused it to course so power to set the tone to the whole market; and however quickly through our veins; but, sir, the same causes will honest and well-intentioned men may be, human nature produce the same effects here they have produced in other cannot bear such temptations. countries. The cries of the poor and laboring classes for "But a still more important objection is the fluctua- bread will be heard, and must be heeded; the fires of tions in prices, which are well known to be much greater Nottingham, Bristol, and Manchester, may be transferred in our own markets than those from which we import to this now happy land.

manufactured goods; because the high and prohibitory It will be seen, from the abstract I have exhibited, that tariffs of those nations exclude foreign fabrics, while our about 7,000 women and children are usefully and profitsystem, as much as it is complained of, still allows our ably employed in these institutions. And let it not be markets to be the receptacle of manufactured goods from understood, as I have heard it insinuated on this floor, all countries, and to be frequently glutted with them. that they are the white slaves of those who employ them. Hence, the duties would be subject to perpetual and very Sir, the reverse is nearer the truth. I have seen a female, material variations; and, what is of yet greater import- who, before she was twenty years of age, by her edict, ance, they would be lowest, and the protection to our stopped every mill in one of the most Hourishing manumanufactures the least, when they need it the most, be- facturing villages in Rhode Island. She was called the cause their own goods are selling at the lowest rates, thus Hancock of Pawtucket, because she was as annoying to doubling to them the evil of reduced prices; while the the mill-owners in that village, because they were as much foreign manufacturer would find the same evil lessened in dread of her influence and power, as the British Goto him instead of increased, because the lower the value vernment ever was of the influence of John Hancock, or of his goods, the less duties he would have to pay; thus Samuel Adams. Like them, too, she was not included in giving to foreign an advantage over domestic industry, the general amnesty promulgated for the benefit of her instead of the reverse, which sound policy, or at least the followers, but was finally hired to leave those who seemed principle of the protective system, dictates. Were this to be controlled by her influence. Sir, rather than submode of levying the duties in operation at the present mit to the evils of this bill, she would head an army of her time, when it is well known all kinds of manufactured own sex to nullify obnoxious laws, or meet those who are goods have greatly declined from last year's prices, and opposed to wholesome regulations. The operations of the many domestic as well as foreign fabrics are selling at American system are altogether in favor of the poor and great sacrifices, how could we withstand such a discrimi- laboring classes of our community. Every tariff we have nation in favor of the foreign manufacturer? Many would passed might with great propriety be denominated the be ruined by it, and all would suffer irremediably. There poor man's protection. are many other objections to the ad valorem system, but it is believed the foregoing are sufficient to show that the adoption of it would be ruinous to our manufactures, and little better than a total repeal of the tariff."

Mr. P. proceeded to a comparison of the great and leading interests of the nation. From papers before me, said he, I am authorized to state that the tonnage of the United States, registered and enrolled, is about It has been contended by gentlemen who have partici- 2,000,000 tons; which, estimated at 30 dollars per ton, pated in this debate, and, among others, by an honorable would be $60,000,000. This is supposed to employ no member from Maryland, [Mr. HOWARD,] that cotton ma-less than 80,000 seamen, which, at 10 dollars wages per

« 上一頁繼續 »