Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-01

SIR: In obedleuce to two resolutions Of the
House of Representatives, Of the 18th January,
1892. directing the Secretary Ut the Treasury 10
Collect information rs To certain manufactures
in the United States. and to communicate the
same to the House, with such suggestions as he
may think useful, with view To the adjustment oil
the tariff g. with such tariff at duties on imports,
m as has opinion may be best adapted to the all
yancement of the public interest; the undersgn-
ed has the honor to report, that, for the purpose
of effectually complying with the presumed OBJ
isct of the House. as soon as proper agents couiu
De selected. he addressed circulars Ia copy OF
which is now transmittsd) to gentlemen in the
States north Of the Potomac, and in the State ut
OHIO. requesting their aid in collecting the infor-
nation desired, and also sought personal COME
rences with eminent manufacturers aud other gen.
temen acquainted with the subject.
Same of those, anweyer, who had been select
ed as agents, decliued acting; and owing to that
and other causes, with which u is not necessary
20 trouble, the House. more time has been EN-
pl0yed IN executing the intentions Of the depart
ment than was anticipated. The Importance OF
despatch was fully appreciated butt until the re-
turns could be received, To enable the undersign-
eel to communicate the facts called tor by the
House, he did not deem himself authorised to
submit any suggestions, or recommend any par
ticular modification OF existing duues.
These returns have but recently begun to come
in, and have vet been only PARTIAL. re9ived;
but rather than incur greater delay, at this adj
vanced period Of the session; or longer disappolnt
the expectations of the House, the undersigned
has the honor to commu nicate the returns rs tar
as they have come to hand, and will continue to
transmit others as they may be received at the
department.
In compl wing with SO much OF the resolutions
of the House as requires the Secretary OF the
Treasury to communicate his Owp suggestions,
he is well aware of the delieacy and responsible
Inv of the task he has been instructed to perform:
he ia profoundly sensible. however, O. the impor-
tauIe of the crisis which has induced the demand !;
aud he has entire confidence in the liberal patri-
o,ism with which every honest effort, Tor the adj.
iistment Of its acknowledged difficulties, will be
received.
Il the raising the proper amount OF revenue
were the only object, Or could alone guide these
Suggestions, the task would be comparatively
easy; bur The CRISIS presents different anu Tar
mure complicated subject. The ,mpns' system 81
thu United States has been. Tor many years, ln-
cdentalY. but so intimately connected With the
growth aud protection Of American capital and
labor, as to have raised up great national inter
esls indispensable TO the prosperity OF the country,
and which cannot be Inst sight vi IN any new al.
iustment of the system. How far other interests,
m different PORTIONS of the Union. can be salts
ned IN the system nov 10 he framed. without IN
Jury tn thnsc important interests, IS the question
winch makes compliance with the direction OF
,he House. labor otgreat dellcacy, and OF still
greater difficulty.
Ia thc CIR, umstances which at present require
a general reduction Of the revenue, 1t Is not he's
lieved prac tcable to preserve. Tor any length OF
Il
time the degree at protection hitherto Afforded 10
those interests which have grown up under the
paSt legislation. The state OF pubic feeling
throughout an Important portion ut the country,
,,h,ch. with greater or less intensity, calls for
revision of the existing tariff. is not to be dis
gn,,ad. Brh PATRIOTISM and wisdom dictate
that this sentiment should be respected, and. as
far as may be compatible with the common veal,
that IL D. satisfied not from any unworthy mo-
tive, but under tina, obligation Ut duty which re-
qures that all be regarded with all equal eye;that
all be borne upon with an equal hand; anu, un-
der tina, no less solemn obligation, to preserve,
by aRy seasonab,e concessions, our lneStlnaOie
Unlun.
Fully IMPRESSED with these considerations. and
in the belief that. by their resolutions, the House
has required suggestions Tor general reduction
of duties on the articles comprehended IN the ex-
istus tariff. the undersigned has felt 1t to be his
duty to deal with the subject IN that spirit. anu
has now the honor to submit the result ct his IN
vestigation and reflection in the form OF bill &C
companying this letter.
He does not intend it so much for perfect
scheme. as to embody those suggestions which ne
has been called upon to make IN definite and
in'elhgible shape. and. while looking to the pa
triotic object Of the resolution, which has also
guided his own Judgment he cheerfuly assumes
the responsibility Of the scheme now presented;
he will derive no less qualification If that object
can be better attained BY any other plan which
wiser counsels may devise.
The basis OF the bill now submitted. is total re-
neal of the act Of the 18th of Nav, 1928, from
and afssr the third Of March, 1888. anda limi-
tatio. of the revenue afterwards to be raised, by
: new system Of. duties, to the existing exPend'-
rores If the Government. aod to such other ne
cessary expenditures as the e1lsency "f the pup
doH, may authorize
Tbs estimate which was presented in the late ]