Mr. CHANDLER. Something more than a year ago there was a meeting called of the salt interest in the U.S. here, representing NewYork, WestVirginia, Tennessee, Michigan, and other salt producing districts, and it was then decided that 40 cents was as low a duty as ought to be imposed upon foreign salt. The whole of salt is labor. Michigan possesses salt enough to othe world for a million years. Our salt basin is 120 miles in diameter, and you can bore anywhere and pump salt. All to: salt water is of the very purest description; some of it as pure as 95%. by the salt meter. In 1860, when, as the Senator says, the duty was 6 cents per 100 pounds, we could produce salt for 75 cents a barrel and make money. It is all labor. Today, with the internalrevenue taxes that you have placed upon every article of consumption of the laborer we cannot produce it without a loss at 2 dollars per barrel. There is an actual loss today in manufacturing salt at 2 dollars per barrel, whereas in 1860 we could manufacture it at 75 cents. Now, sir, instead of reducing this duty from 24 to 18 cents, I had intended to move to increase it to 30 cents as a fair protection and the lowest protection the salt interest ought to demand; but upon consultation with my colleague we concluded to let it go as it is. However, if a change of the duties fixed in the bill is insisted upon, I shall then move to give a fair protection, which will be 30 and 40 cents. Now, sir, foreign salt is in direct competition. The great bulk of our freight is from the U.S. to Europe. Vessels actually pay for the privilege of taking salt as ballast on their return trip. I am so informed. It is so on the lakes. They pay for taking salt as ballast from Buffalo and Os wego to Chicago as high as 6 cents a barrel, because they have no freight; and I am imformed it is the same on the ocean. My friendfrom NewYork [Mr. MoRGAN] will assure you and he has been engaged in this very trade himself that the freight is so low that if freight is charged at all it will be merely nominal. You come in direct and immediate contact with the pauper labor of Europe, and it is all labor, without even freight as your protection. Now, sir, this duty is totally inadequate, and yet, as the committee had recommended Iit, was willing to submit to it; but if it is touched at all, I give notice that I shall try my utmost to increase it to a fair protection, which will be 30 and 40 cents per 100 pounds.