Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-05-04
REPORT
NJ the Secretary Of The Treasury on the adjustment of
the Tariff.
TREAsuRY
Y DEPARTMENT, }
April 81, 1882. {

TREASURY DEPARTMENTS
April 81, 1882.
SIR-ln obedience to resolutions of the House If Re-
representatives. OF the 10Th January 1892 directing the Sc
cretay OF the Treasury to collect information to certain
manufactures in the u States, and communicate the same
TO The House, with such suggestions as he NAV think
useful, with view to the adjustment of the Tariff and
WIN Such 'ar oil duties on Imports in his opinion to be
best adapted 10 the advancement the public interest e
undersigned has the honor report that for the purpose
OF eiecualy complying with the presumed object of te
rouse as soon as the proper agents could be selected he
addressed circulars la copy OF which is transmitted
10 gentlemen In The States north of the Potomac and in
inc STATE OF ONO, requesting their aid in collecting the in
oinauoh desired and also sought personal conferences
with eminent manufacturers and other gentlemen ac-
quainted with the subject.
some OF those, however, who had been selected AZ
agents, declined acting; and owing to that and other
causes, with which it is necessary to trouble the
House, more time has been employed in executing the
intentions oil the department than anticipated The
Importance oil despatch was fully appreciated; but until
the returns could be received 10 enable the UNDERSIGNED
TO communicate the facts called for by The House he
dd not deem himself authorised TO submit any sugCes-
los or recommend any particular modification of exist
ing duties.
These returns have but recently begun to come i'm and
nave yet been only partially eceived but rather than in
cur SOacr deay at this advanced period of session. or
longer disappon the expectations the House. the I'M
desgned has the honor TO communicate the returns as far
as they have come to hand and will continue TO transmit
o'hers as they may be received at the department In
complying with much Of the resolutions of the House az
requires The Secretary OF the Treasury 10 communicate his
own suggestions, he is well of the delicocv and e
sponsby OF the task he has been instructed 10 ncrior.
he profoundly sensible however, of the importance Of
the crisis which has induced the demand and he has
ilre confidence in the liberal patriotism with which every
honest effort tor the adjustment of its acknowledged diff
hcultics, will be received
II me raising The proper OF revenue were the
only OBJECT, or could alone guide these suggestions the
task would be comparatively easy but the crisis presents
dncrent and lar more cOmpicate subject The impost
system oil the United States has BEEN for many wears
ciuebaiy, but so intimately connected with the growth
ana protection OF American capital and labor as 10 have
seu up great national interests indispensable 10 the
perry oil the country and which cannot be lost SIGHT of in
any new adjustment OF the system. How far other inter.
ests, III different portions Of tile Union can be satisfied in
me system now 10 be framed without injury TO those i'm
poaht Interests, is the question which makes compliance
with the direction Of the House labor of great deIcacv
andOi still greater difficulty
In the circumstances which Mt present require rene.
raj reduction Of the revenues is not believed practicable
70 preserve, for any length Of time the degree of proec
uon hitherto afforded to those interests which have grown
up under the past legislation The state Of public opinion
throughout an important portion of the country which
WIN greater or less intensity calls for a revision OF the ex
suhg tariii Is not TO be dsgused-Boh patriotism and
WISDOM dictate that this sentiment should be respected
ahu as lar as may be compatible with the common veal
a' DC satshed not IRON any unworthy motive but under
'e oDhgauon OF duty which requires that all be regarded
with an equal eye, that all be borne upon with an equal
hano and under That no less solemn CATION TO
oy any reasonable concessions, our iDosmabe Union