JAN. 24, 1833.] The Tariff Bill. [H. or R. call the attention of the committee, is that of iron. My average, at least 500 dollars more than in England, owfirst business under this head will be to show that the duty ing to the cheapness of iron in Great Britain. It is still on foreign iron has not raised the price to the consumer, but that it has caused a very considerable reduction. STATEMENT С, Showing the effects of a tariff of protection on the article of iron at Pittsburg and Cincinnati. In the years 1818, '19 and '20, bar iron in Pittsburg sold at from 190 to 200 dollars per ton. Now the price is 100 dollars per ton. In the same years, boiler iron was 350 dollars per ton. Now at 140 dollars per ton. Sheet iron was but little made in those years, and sold for 18 dollars per cwt. Now made in abundance, and sold at 8 dollars per cwt. Hoop iron, under same circumstances, was then 250 dollars, and is now 120 dollars. Axes were then 24 dollars per dozen, and are now 12 dollars. Scythes are now 50 per cent. lower than they were then--as are spades and shovels. Iron hoes were in those years 9 dollars per dozen. Now a very superior article of steel hoes at 4 to 4 dollars. Socket shovels are made at 44 dollars by the same in dividual who, a few years ago, sold them at 12 dollars per dozen. Slater's patent stoves, imported from England, sold in Pittsburg at 350 to 400 dollars. A much superior article is now made there, and sold for 125 to 150 dollars. English vices then sold for 20 to 224 cents per lb. Now a superior article is sold at 10 to 105. Braziers' rods in 1824 were imported, and cost 14 cents per lb. or $313 60 per ton. Now supplied to any amount of to diameter, at 130 dollars per ton. Steam engines have fallen in price since 1823 one-half, and they have one-half more work on them. The engine at the Union rolling mill, (Pittsburg,) in 1819, cost 11,000 dollars. A much superior one, of 130 horse power, for Sligo mill, cost, in 1826, 3,000. In 1830, there were made in Pittsburg one hundred steam engines. In 1831, one hundred and fifty will be made, averaging 2,000 dollars; or 300,000 in that article alone. A two horse power engine costs 250 dollars; six horse, 500 dollars; eight to nine horse, 700 dollars. These last are the prices, delivered and put up. dearer in the United States than in France. Here it is asserted that a six horse power steam engine costs 500 dollars more in France than it does in England, and that it is still dearer in the United States than in France. Now it so happens, that in the United States, at Pittsburg, a steam engine, of that power, can be put up, ready for action, for the identical sum of 500 dollars. Prices of Iron al Cincinnati. 1814 to 1818, bar iron 200 to 220 dollars per ton--now 100, 105, 110. The fall in prices has been nearly as follows: 1826, bar iron assorted, 125 to 135 dollars 120 to 130 do. 115 to 125 do. 112 to 1224 do. 100 to 110 do. 100 to 110 do. Castings, including hollow ware, 1814 to 1818, 120 to 130 dollars per ton: present price, 60 to 65, and the quality much improved. STATEMENT D. The duties on iron imported into the United States were, in 1804 to 1812, 15 per cent.; double war duties from 1812 to 1816. In 1816, duties, rolled iron, 30 dollars per ton: hammered, nine dollars. The law of 1816, fixing the duties at these rates, ruined many of the manufacturers, and compelled them to abandon their works. By the act of April 20, 1818, the duty on hammered iron was raised to 15 dollars. This, in some measure, revived the manufacture, and many who had abandoned, resumed their operations. The foreign manufacturerer, to keep possession of the market, offered his iron at a less price; so that there was an actual decline here. In 1824, the duty on hammered iron was raised to 18 dollars, and in 1828 to $22 40. These additions to the duty had no permanent effect in raising the price. The foreign manufacturer could not advance his prices beyond those of 1824, because the American iron maker supplied the market at those rates; and iron at a duty of $22 40, sells at less than it did at one of nine dollars. The foreign manufacturer has been compelled to take the additional duties from his profits, and these deductions from his profits have been paid into the treasury of the United States, without adding to the price paid by the American consumer. The following table shows the operation of the additional duty levied since 1818 on hammered iron alone. Tons. 1818, imported of hammered iron 13,931 At least 600 tons of iron made in Pittsburg are manufactured into other articles before it leaves the city, from steam engines of the largest size, down to a threepenny nail. Eight rolling and slitting mills, of the largest power, 1819, are in the city of Pittsburg, five of which have been 1820, erected since 1828. 1821, Thirty-eight new furnaces have been erected since 1822, 1824 in the western parts of Pennsylvania, and that part 1823, of Kentucky bordering on the Ohio river; most of them 1824, 1825, since 1828. In 1828, 1829, 1830, tons, Being an increase of nearly 200 per cent. in two years. 1830, The above facts were furnished by members of the committee residing at Pittsburg, who vouch for their accuracy. One fact there stated suggests the following remarks to the committee: estimated 29,202 654,141 301,8805,369,711 Duties at $9, the rate per law of 1816, 2,716,920 Gain in the Treasury, at the expense of the foreign manufacturer, To the report of the select committee of the Senate of the United States, on the subject of iron, is appended, among other papers, one in which it is stated that "it is now ascertained that the superiority of England over France is entirely due to the cheapness of iron: a six horse steam engine, for instance, in France, costs, on the mittee. $2,652,791 "Since ascertained 30,973 tons, of which only 439 tons were British. the small amount of the latter importation is the best possible evidence of the bad quality of English iron, as stated in the subsequent pages, and of its unfitness for the usual purposes to which hammered iron is applied. All such iron pays the same duty.-Permanent Com 1 H. or R.] STATEMENT E. But this aspect of the case is not the beginning of the evil which the community are doomed to suffer from this rash, iron in the United States is estimated to be worth thirteen The following calculations were made by Hardman precipitous, and blind legislation. The annual product of Phillips and George Valentine, and are derived from the average returns submitted to the committee from two million three hundred and twenty-nine thousand seven counties, those most extensively engaged in the manufac- hundred and sixty dollars, which, if the business fails, is ture of iron in Pennsylvania, namely Centre and Hun- stricken out of existence, and is so much clear loss every tingdon, and have been carefully verified by a comparison with returns from 73 furnaces and 132 forges. For each ton of bar iron and castings made, the following agricultural produce is found to be consumed: 20 bushels wheat and rye, average, at 75 cents $15 00 57 lbs. pork 43 lbs. beef 5 “ For every ten tons of bar iron, one horse is employed one whole year, worth 100 dollars, and experience shows that the mortality among horses so employed is, per annum, one in seven, and constitutes a charge per ton of For fruit and vegetables, of which no return has been made, we feel justified in putting down 2 85 1 72 year to the wealth of the nation. You deprive, moreover, twenty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty-four laborers and mechanics of the employment by which they earn their daily bread for themselves and families! You deprive one hundred and forty-six thousand two hundred and seventy-three souls of subsistence, until those on whom they depend can seek a new channel for their labor. In 1 25 the mean time there must be great and universal suffering. 60 You throw out of circulation eight million seven hundred 3 50 and seventy-six thousand four hundred and twenty dollars in wages paid to the laborers. Is this all? No, sir. You take from the farmers four million four hundred and ninety dollars, which they receive annually from the iron manufacturers for agricultural products!! 1 43 Now, how will these arrangements work? What is to become of the twenty thousand laborers who are to be 1 00 thrown out of the iron employment? At least nineteentwentieths of them will be driven into agriculture, which Which, multiplied by the quantity of bariron and castings, will give the sum of 3,415,850 dollars, paid by the iron manufacturers, and those employed by them, to the far mers. 27 35 is already able to overstock the market. The farmers will be deprived of a market where they have been able to send upwards of four millions worth of produce. Thus will this ruinous policy cut upon the farmer like a twoedged sword. The supply of agricultural products will be greatly increased, and the demand for them diminished to an amount of at least four millions. Sir, if a more ruinous state of things could be devised for the farmer, Pan The same returns enable them to state that every five tons of iron, as above made, requires one able-bodied man throughout the year, or, in the whole, 24,979; and, as it appears that, upon an average, each one of these has dora, the goddess of evil, must do it. And why are our four dependent upon him, it follows that 124,895 persons establishments to be broken down? Why are our citizens are supported by this branch of industry, in its first stages; and the average of the wages of the workmen one dollar per day, or say 300 per annum, they receive for wages, in the whole, the large sum of 7,493,700 dollars for the labor of one year. iron cheaper? No! For we get it cheaper now than we ever have before. Are we to get better iron? No, We get better iron now than we ever did before. Why, then, sir, in the name of Heaven, is this sweeping desolation to be brought upon the country? The expense of transporting this iron to the different markets, by land and water, may be estimated at an average of ten dollars per ton, amounting to 1,248,940 dollars; The same remarks will apply to all our manufacturing the whole of which is distributed among those engaged establishments. Iron is left in a better condition than in the transportation and coasting trade of the country, any of them, and those who are best acquainted with and subdivided among those who furnish subsistence to that subject say it cannot stand if the present bill pass. the many persons employed, and in furnishing means for If iron cannot stand, then, what is to become of wool lens and other interests, which have a protection so far must be prostrated immediately, and at once. below that of iron? Why, as a matter of course, they I will, therefore, attempt to show the committee the amount of capital in a few other branches of American industry, and which, if this bill pass, might as well be thrown into 112,866 the ocean. I will also show the number of persons em191,536 ployed, and the number dependent upon these institu13,329,760 tions for the bread they eat. As it will not be in my 29,254 power to review every branch, I will take a few which 146,273 will bring the question home directly to every man's 8,776,420 bosom and fireside. 4,000,490 But before I leave this subject, as the manufacturers This, sir, I feel warranted in saying, falls very far short are charged with making most enormous profits, let us of the full amount of this business. There are several look a little into the accusation. furnaces and forges, within my knowledge, which do a very considerable business, and which are not here enu- one year in the United States is consumer? I will not answer this question, but will leave Leaves this balance 552,850 it with the American farmers and mechanics to judge. subject to the wear and tear of machinery, and all con INDEX TO THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE. American State Papers, a proposition for extending the Calhoun, Mr., his resolutions declaratory of the nature and Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Pise appointed, 6. Constitutional powers, Mr. Clayton's resolution on the Crimes, a bill supplementary to an act for the more effi- Cumberland road, a bill for continuing this road from District Code of Laws, ordered to be printed in the re- Duties on imports, a bill further to provide for the col- Endless life, a petition for land from persons who pro- Explanation by Mr. Clay, in relation to a misunderstand- 810. Force bill. (See Duties.) Frauds on the revenue, a resolution for inquiring into French spoliations, a bill to provide for the satisfaction of houn's resolution,) 191, 750. Government, on the nature and powers of, (see Mr. Cal- of the claims of States, 6. Lands, public, notice given by Mr. Clay of his intention the amendments of the House to the bill were taken a bill granting a township to Indiana, Illinois, Mis- patents, a bill describing the mode by which land VOL. IX.-е Light-houses, a bill was received from the House on the a se- last evening of the session, and read a first time; Louisville and Portland canal, a bill to authorize the pur- Missouri canal, enable the date to open a canal in the Big Swamp, 12. Order, points of, 300, 480. Pension 809; laid on the table, 810. Postage, a proposition for introducing a bill to reduce 40. Powers of the Government, three resolutions defining his acknowledgments to the Senate, 3. a copy of it.) veto on the bill of last session, providing for the Presidential election, a day fixed for counting the electo- Revenue. (See Frauds on, and Duties.) Senate called to order by the Secretary, 2. South Carolina resolutions, in reply to the President's Spanish claims, a resolution instructing the Committee on Special order, a resolution for changing the hour of taking Tariff, a resolution introduced calling on the Secretary Tariff, a bill to modify the various acts imposing duties resolutions, offered by Mr. Webster, 483; laid on the bill from the House to modify the existing ta- Treasurer's annual report of the state of the finances, 3. their names to be recorded, 688. Yeas and nays, on considering the resolution for a reduc. tion of duties, 16. resolution for the reduction of the rates of post- on amendment to the resolution calling on the reign articles on which the duty may be reduc- on postponing Mr. Clay's land bill, 81, 122. on the land bill, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235. 519, 595, 601. on a question touching the election of printer, 588. on striking out the 2d section of the bill to mo- dify the tariff, 724. on adding a 9th section to the bill, 724. on striking out the 3d and 6th sections of do., 724. on the passage of the bill, 809. INDEX TO THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS IN THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE, ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. Bell, Mr., from New Hampshire, on modifying the tariff, ❘ Chambers, Mr., on electing public printer, 587, 588. 485, 718, 742. Benton, Mr., from Missouri, on the reduction of postage, bill modifying the tariff, 701, 720, 807. Black, Mr., from Mississippi, on public lands, 104, 229. Brown, Mr., from North Carolina, on a proposition for a reduction of duties, 17, 20, 25, 51. revenue collection bill, 333, 413. calling for copies of military orders, 409. Buckner, Mr., from Missouri, on a reduction of duties, 27. public lands, 81, 82, 112, 122. French spoliations, 98. Cumberland road, 119, 121. modification of the tariff, 479, 485, 711, 713, revenue collection bill, 590. resolution for extending the subscription to Ameri- can State Papers, 786. Clay, Mr., from Kentucky, on the reduction of duty on foreign goods, 50, 51. public lands, 67, 81, 112, 122, 233, 235, 237. force bill, 174, 178. on his bill for modifying the tariff, 462, 476, 480, Clayton, Mr., from Delaware, on the reduction of post- age, 29, 30. modifying the tariff, 486, 698, 726, 793. on foreign goods, 60. on modifying the tariff, 478, 484, 692, 693, 694, Ewing, Mr., from Ohio, on the reduction of postage, 39. on the land bill, 159. revenue collection bill, 518, 676. Calhoun, Mr., from South Carolina, on call for a copy of Foot, Mr., from Connecticut, on printing commercial force bill, 184. the powers of the Government, 187, 192, 237, 238, electing public printer, 588. modifying the tariff, 795. the proclamation, 100. 239, 240, 241, 243, 750, 785. land bill, 234. the revenue collection bill, 249, 252, 253, 254, on calling for copies of military orders, 408, 409. Chambers, Mr., from Maryland, on French spoliations, 98. modifying the tariff, 480, 693, 718, 719. Forsyth, Mr., from Georgia, on copying documents in call for a copy of the South Carolina proclamation, on the land bill, 232, 233. Mr. Calhoun's resolutions, 243, 784. revenue collection bill, 590. electing public printer, 588. King, Mr., from Alabama, on a reduction of duties, 13, Tyler, Mr., from Virginia, on calling upon the Secretary 16, 59. of the Treasury for the project of a tariff bill, on a call for the proclamation respecting South Ca- 8, 11. rolina, 99. on a reduction of duties, 20, 24. on the land bill, 122. French spoliations, 99. the force bill, 186. revenue collection bill, 360, 401, 402, 405. revenue collection bill, 403, 404, 488. modifying the tariff, 701, 716. calling for copies of military orders, 408, 409. Webster, Mr., from Massachusetts, on Spanish claims, 38. modifying the tariff, 480, 485. on French spoliations, 98, 99. Knight, Mr., from Rhode Island, on the bill relating to land bill, 122. sheathing copper, 661. Mr. Calhoun's resolutions, 237, 240, 774, 785. Mangum, Mr., from North Carolina, on calling upon the on a reduction of duties, 21, 60. force bill, 174, 183. Mr. Calhoun's resolutions, 192, 236, 237, 243. Miller, Mr., from South Carolina, on reduction of post- age, 49. the force bill, 175, 185. revenue collection bill, 251, 260, 430, 433, 595. Moore, Mr., from Alabama, on the land bill, 122, 204. modifying the tariff, 478, 693, 709, 722, 723, 726, Wilkins, Mr., from Pennsylvania, on the force bill, 183, on Mr. Calhoun's resolutions, 2:43. calling for copies of military orders, 409. on modifying the tariff, 693, 694, 713, 720. Wright, Mr., from New York, on modifying the tariff, |