Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-03
From The Richmond Whig.
BENTON'S TARIFF BILL.

been introduced into the SENATE OF the Chhto'
SAFE. by MIR. Benton. He claims for il ORR
yinali,y. in its most important aspect. The
bill bears this, I'D enptandan', title:
"a Bl to provide for the abolition of unnecessary
duties. to reese the people from Is millions Of tare''
and TO improve the condition OF the grcuiure ma
nuf.c,ures and Commerce (and NavigationD Of the
United States"
we ob,rc, to the title, which is more des-
c,iotiye Of the motives Of insra,isiion which
6rst suggested The scheme, than ofhe bill itself.
But Notwithstanding this suspicion which
cleaye, 10 the birth Of The bill and in despite
of the recent Developments caused by The dis
cu.sion Of Foot's resolution, which induce he
farther suspicion that Mr.. Benton's projst
10 an execution on his par, Of The articles OF
Southern and Western Coalition, by which the
Public Lands were 10 be coded 10 the West, In
consideration OF lis aid in the abolition OF the
Tariff, and election oil Mr.. Calhoun to the Pre-.
sideucy -and in farther despite oi The predis
position which W. acknowledge ourselves 10 be
under, Of viewing whatever proceeds from he
Missouri Senator with the deepest dislrus'. and
prejudice next TO in.uperable, having long
known and noted him, as the most finished and
daring as well as the most dangerous dema'
yogue, who has appeared in the aHdIrs of he
u. States in our time notwithstanding all
these uufavorable prepossessions, We have read
his bill and explanations with great interest,
ard corresponding instruction. 1t is a rule IN
Ethics, when good is done, or proposed,
no, 70 pry too curiousiy into The mo.
lives; and provided this shall b. The con-
sequence Of Mr.. Ben,oa's scheme Of equlva-
lens, it is imma,eri.l whether ii was suggest-
ed by public spirit or by electioneering Tor
himself or others.
The measure has as yet undergone no discus
sion We have seen no opinion expressed Of
it, in it's favor or agsins, it. VIVA, objections
i, may fairly lie open 20, If any, we must wait
to hear, from those who are infinitely acquain,.
ed with the great subjects II relates to We
will not be guilty Of the presumption OF express
sing any opinion, farther than to say, il ap-
pears to US. that if i; Can achieve no good, it
will do no harm, being founded upon The
condition tina, if foreign States Tor whose ben
rh. il seems as much intended as for ours)
refuse 10 meet The policy, the system OF duties,
quo aa then, remains unc hanged
We annex brief outline Of The principles
Of Mr. B-nron's bill. In introducing i, he said:
Mr. Presiden, rise to ask the leave, for which gave
notice Friday last, and in doing So, mean to avail
myself of the parliamentary rule, seldom followed here
but familiar in the place from which raw rules
when any thing new is to he proposed, to state the
clauses, and make exposition of the principles OF
my b before submit the formal motion for leave to
bring it in And bef,ra 40 this, will make single
remark, tojus,ify myself for presumng to propose
BILL upon a subject which is already reported upon,
by the able and experienced Committee Finance
Nv justification is that the bill o: that Committee does
not present the best mode e accomplishing its own
OBJECT; that better be devised ard being my
se'fhe first mover ofhe great plan of abolishng unne
cessary duties on Che extngushnent ofthe puoc debt
it is natural effect of the mediation which have
bestowed On the question. that something should have
occurred to me- which has not presented itself to the
minds uf others. this ms TO be the case Several
bills have been reported for the abolition of duties;
in this Chamber; in the other end of the House,
and no one has prese nted the subect under point
ofyiew Good or bad, my plan is at least new; biz
of its sort bib without precedent IN the iegisa
ton o. the country; and in bringing it forward, dis
charge duty to the Union, and to the public IcIls
of which am member, and have otter 'rIsh, but
tina, the wisdom and patriotism Of The Senate, from all
that presented may select, and prefer tina, which Is
be.t Tor the People ~ these States.
The title of nv bill is adapted to its contents, and
dscloses it's eCt distinctly the compendlOus
ture of bill will admit. | viii read H.
The first section proposes that fot the
term Of ten years, from aud after he first day
Of January, 1882. or as soon thereafter as may
b. agreed upon between the Unird States aud
any 'OItlSN power, 'ht uu't y NVW peNd'iC VI
The importation of the following ar icies. or
such ef hem may be asrerd upon, shall
cease aud determine, ar he edu Ell ~ favor If
such countries a, shall, by uea'y, grant equtun-
lent advantages o The agricul ure, ma alta, ,ures,
commerce and navigation of the Z Stass.
(Here fnllows an epumera,ion Of the articles,
embracing aH not made in the U. S,aes.)
TINS is 'hr equivalent principle, which is the
leading Characteristic feature o! Mr.. Brnlon's
project. H. acknowledges il MOI 10 be original
with him, ard traces il to The messages Of Pre-
siden's Washington, Jefferson, and Jacksrn.-
Duties are TO be relaxed or abolished, in favor
Of The nation or nations alone, who shall en-
brace The Offer, and relax ,heir commercial re-
sIricIons in favor Of the U. STATES. The mode
Of 10 execution, which reposrs Ia the Executive
the unqualified discretion Of deciding ,0hen .
nation has accepted The terms, and Of then mo-
dlfying or abolishing the duties 10 its favor,
seems TO our minds too vast and unnecessary a
power 10 be lodged without check in that de
par,ment Of the Government.
The second sectiou-provGes that after he
3lH Dec. 1881, the duty on teas, mace, cloves,
cinnamon, nulmeg,, cassia, pepper, pine MO,
ginger, ivory, Turkey carpets and cashmere
shawls, shall cease and determine.