The assembly was divided into as many sub-committees as there were different trades represented. A blank was handed to each sub-committee, which, after fifteen days' discussion, was to be filled and returned. On the appointed day the venerable President took the chair (official style, for it was only a stool) and found upon the table (official style, again, for it was a deal plank across a barrel) a dozen reports, which he read in succession. The first presented was that of the tailors. Here it is, as accurately as if it had been photographed: RESULTS OF PROTECTION--REPORT OF THE TAILORS. _Disadvantages._ |_Advantages._ | 1. On account of the protective tariff, we pay | None. more for our own bread, meat, sugar, thread, | etc., which is equivalent to a considerable | 1. We have examined diminution of our wages. | the question in | every light, and 2. On account of the protective tariff, our patrons | have been unable to are also obliged to pay more for everything, and | perceive a single have less to spend for clothes, consequently we | point in regard to have less work and smaller profits. | which the protective | system is 3. On account of the protective tariff, clothes | advantageous to are expensive, and people make them wear longer, | our trade. which results in a loss of work, and compels us to | offer our services at greatly reduced rates. | Here is another report: EFFECTS OF PROTECTION--REPORT OF THE BLACKSMITHS. _Disadvantages._ | _Advantages._ | 1. The protective system imposes a tax (which does | not get into the Treasury) every time we eat, drink, | warm, or clothe ourselves. | | 2. It imposes a similar tax upon our neighbors, and | hence, having less money, most of them use wooden | pegs, instead of buying nails, which deprives us of | labor. | | 3. It keeps the price of iron so high that it can | None. no longer be used in the country for plows, or gates,| or house fixtures, and our trade, which might give | work to so many who have none, does not even give | ourselves enough to do. | | 4. The deficit occasioned in the Treasury by those | goods _which do not enter_ is made up by taxes | on our salt. |