Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-16

.nn,e ON any section Of the Union, for one au
Fs,dy 10 vote for their reduction Of modification.
The system contemplates an adequate protection;
seyonJ tina, il is not necessary to go. Short OF
HAT. its operation will be injurious TO all par
lies.
he people Of this country, or a large majority
os them. expect that the system will De Preserv-
Cd. And its abandonment would produce gene
al surprise, spread desol1tion over the lan'l' and
|,ccasion as great a shock as a declaration OF war
Iarthwith against the most powerful nation IN Eu-
rope.
But if the system be preserved, it ought to be
~onesrly. fairly and faithfully enforced. That
h.r. do exist the most scandalOus violations OF
and the grossest frauds upon the public reve-
ne, in regard to some OF TIE most important ar
rles. cannot be doubted. As to iron, objects
[eally Belonging to one denomination, to which a
ipner duty is attached, are imported under ano.
her name, to which a lower duty is assigned and
be Law thus evaded. False invoices are made
m wollens, and the classification into mini.
nam, u constantly eluded. The success OF the
,me, lean manufacture of cotton bagging has been
peh as that, by furnishing a better and cheaper
,r,,el.. the bassing of Inverness and Dundee has
cen almost excluded from the consumption of
he States bordering on the Mississippi and its
! tributaries. There has not yet been sufficient
inc TO hbricate and transport the article IN ne
/ essary quantities from the Western States to
Inc Southern Atlantic States, which therefore have
been almost exclusively supplied from the Scot
ish manufactures. The payment OF the duty
I eyaded by the introduction OF the foreign fab
nc, under The name of burlaps, or some other
mercantile phrase, and instead Of paying five cts.
: ne square yard, il is entered with a duty OF only
Fifteen per cent. ad valorem. That this practice
prevails, is demonstrated by the Treasury report
{ the duties aceruing on C, ttOn bagging fox the
ears 1923, 1929 and 1880. During the first
ear the amount was S157, SOC, the second $780,
b6S, and the third il sunk down to Sl4, l4i!
The time has arrived when the inquiry ought
o be seriously made, whether it be not practical
bic to arrest this illegitimate course OF trade. and
secure the faithful execution of the laws. No
! lne could be more suitable than that ut which it
IS contemplated to make a great reduction OF
HE public revenue. Two radical changes have
presented themselves to my mind. and which |
Evil now suggest for consideration and investisa-
frion. On such a subject, | would, Gowever seek
|lrom the mercantile community and practical
men. all the lighr which they are SO capable OF
|afording and should be reluctant to act on my
|own convictions however strong.
The first is to make a total change in the rlace
lof valuation. Now the valuation is made in For.
.eisn countries. We fix the duties, and we leave
no foreigners to assess the value on articles pay
b. adj yalorem duties. That is We prescribe the
rule, and leave its execution to the toreigner.-
frhis is an anomaly, l believe peculiar TO this
|eonnIry. Ii is evident that the amount Of duty
PAYABLE on a given article subject TO an advaIo-
Fem duty, may be effected as murh by the 6xa-.
hon Of the value, as by the specification OF the
duty. And, for all practical parposes. II would
De lust as safe to retain to ourselves the ascertain
men; Of the value, and leave to the foreigner TO
prescribe the duty. as II i 20 reserve ia ourselves
the right to declare the duty and allow to him
khe privilege to assess the value.
Tie effect Of this venus condition of the law
has been tn throw almost the whole import trade
bf The country. As 20 some Imp,rtant articles, IN
10 the hands Of the foreigner. have been in
Formed that >even-eights of the Importation of
wOoliens into the port of New York, where more
j. received than in Ill the other ports Of the u lit
Ikd States together, arc IN his hands. This has
not proceeded from any want of enterprise. in
feilIsence. or capital, ON the part of the Ameri-
Fan merchants; for, in these particulars, he 10 sur
passed by the merchant Of no country 1t has
resulted from his probity, his character. and his
NNpFGt W UT laws dnu hStstulUhs VI HS SUuh-
try-a respect which does not influence the for
fiyner. | am aware that it is made by law, the
fu'y # the appraiser to ascertain the value of
be GODS in certain cases. But what" is his chief
ke'n"; its the foreign invoice, made BY whom
e SN,ws not, certainly by no person responsible
0 orr laws. And. if lis fairness be contested.
he's will bring YOU carloads Of certificates aud
l~Giid,its from unknown persons to verify its ex-
@fctre>s. and the first cost of the article.
Nov, sir, it seems to me that this j, a state of
mIIS 10 which We should promptly apply an ef-
hC,yous remedy, aud nu other appears 20 me-,
"a 'hat ut taking into our own hands both parts
.'e operation. the ascerlainment Of The value
5 veil as to- duty tn be paid on the gunds.-
II De- said that we might have, IN different ports.
ut ent rules, the answer is, that there coutd be
10 diversity greater than that TO which we are
Paor from the fact of the valuation being
% made IN all the ports Of ~f,relsn coun-
rig' from which we make our impnrtatinns
that 1, 4. better to have the valuations made
HcrSons, respcnslble TO our own Government,
a. regulated nv one head. than b, un.
n foreigners. standing under 90 responsible
a~satever 10 Us.
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