Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-02-21
CO.VGRESS.
IN SENATE-FEB. IL.


the Military and Naval forces Of the United
States, stationed in and near Charleston.
South Carolina. These papers were num-
bered from ! TO II inclusive
MIR. FORSYTH called for the re aiding Seve-
raj OF them we're accordingly read. when
Mr.. Grundy moved that the further reading
be dispensed with, which was agreed to; aud
he message aud papers were laid on the Ia
bic and ordered TO he printed.
THE TARIFF.
Mr.. CLAY SAID he had. on the preceding
day. given notice that he should ask leave tn
offer to the consideration Of the Senate . bill
TO modify the act 1T the I4,h July. 1852. and
the other acts OF Congress imposing duties on
imports-and that with permission of the Sc.
nate. he would make some explanation Of its
provisions In taking this step, he had No
personal views to gratify-his course had
been exclusively governed by deep sense Of
the duty which he owed the country in iis
present distracted condition. " hen he sur.
veyed the face Of the country, evidence of
the highest degree Of prosperity was every
where to be sesn-and yet throughout lie
whole widespread extent, great dissen,ions
aud divisions Of opinion prevailed. In intro
duc'ng the proposed measure TO the House.
he had two great objects in view. The 6rst
press the opinion which had not been hastily
formed. that the policy Of protection vas in
the most imminent danger. if IL should he
preserved for the preseI, session, il must in.
evtably tall al the next session Of Congress
The causes which had produced this state Of
probability. he would not now 60 into. tie
was fully satisfied that the existing tariff could
not be preserved but by the application Of
forcib'e measures. Recourse TO such poll
cy could not fail TO be attended by the mos,
eaiamhous consequences. when he locke
to the vast extent and importance of the in.
teres's protected by the Tariff policy, he
could not contemplate its sudden overthrow
without terror. History furnished no exam.
pie Of such ruin and destruction % would be
brought upon the country by sudden re.
peal OF the protective system. The revoca.
ton OF the Edct Of Nsntz Was nothing TO il
The complaints hich now divide and dsirac,
the American people, are. on the one hand,
that they are ground down by system of un.
just taxation. which paralyzed their industry;
or the other. that the vacillating. vibrating
policy Of Congress il relation to the protec.
ton OF our own products, anording no Ger
tain means Of calculation before law had
gone into operAtion-a Law, too, passed with
extraordinary research and dehberatiop, il Is
now to be repealed before its operation has
been tested by any experience of its proyis
ions For tue purpose Of taking away tie &C.
casion OF these complaints on the one side
and the other. he had sough, for some prnci.
pie OF mutual accommodation, which might
be satisfactory to both parties-to afford, on
the one hand, the assurance that the rates Of
duty should ut future day be brought down
TO bare revenue standard--and to promise
on the other. stability and permanency to our
policy The basis upon which the principle
Ut accommodation, which he should propose,
was founded, vas fime. The extent Of time
which would form the ingredient Of the bill,
was long. compared with human hfe-but il
was short. very short, in reference to the mea.
surcs Of wise government. With these pre-.
hm'nary remarks, he would beg leave to call
the attention of the Senate TO the provisions
OF the proposed bill.
BY the LIST section, IL Gas provided, that in
ell cases where the duties imposed by the act
OF 18th July, 1852. or any other act which
should be in force after that act vent into
operation, should exceed 20 per cent, the a.
mount OF that excess shall be gradually re-
duced, by deducting one tenth on the Soth
September. 1833-one-tenth on the 3O,b
September, l835-one.ten,h on the SOtb Sep.
TENDER, i857-one tenth on the SOtb Sen.
TENDER. l839-one Of ell that remains
exceeding 20 per cent. to be taken off on
the 3O'h Sept island the other half on
the 30'h Sept. iei2--lesviug the duties on
all articles Whatever. on which greater rate
OF duty - now imposed than 20 per cent. af
ter the expiration OF nine years and half 1t
that rate Of duty.
Ar G. illustrated the operation of this prin.
e'ple, by stating its effect upon woolIens,
which by the act OF 14Ih July, 1852, were
subjected to duty of 50 per cent. The e..
cess subject TO gradual reduction is 30 per
cent. This would be reduced by ten,hs. bi.
ennially, until 1859. when the duly would be
% per eent-of this, 9 per cent, being one
halt OF the excess, will be taken on in l84I,
and per cent. more. the other hall. in 1892.
leaving the permanent duty al ~ per cent.
afterwards
by the Cd section Of the proposed bill. +,
IS provided that so much Of the act Of I4,b
July as fixes the rate Of duty upon plain kef
seys and Kendall cottons 1t S per cent. should
be repealed, and these articles subjected 10
the same rates of duty with other wooIlen
goods II would be reeoliected, these ar,i
eles were separated from the mss Of woollen
mAnufaciures. - being peculiarly bur,hen.
some 10 TIE south, ~ order TO produce feel
Ing ~ aequieseence ~ the other provisions Of
'hAt i'w. As this determination had failed
NhsN NuGCNs NnEv nb0fliU be
placed With the other ooIlen manufactures
and be subjected 10 the same scale Of redge.
tIUn.
BY the Sd section. IL is provided tina, the
present mode of payment Of du,ir, sh.ll n.
continued until the 3Oth September. 1910
Amer that period. al duties shall be ns;d m
ready money, and the whole cfsdi, system =.
polished.
isy the 9Th section, Il Is proposed 70 be p,o.
vided. that IN addition 10 the he, Of sr,,ele,
exempted from duty by The act Of 18th JuIy.
the following "a be sdded-blesched ard IN.
oleaehed linens, sllks Imported from coun.
tries this side the Cape Of Good Hope, worst.
ed stun goods. shsNls, and sli other msnugse.
lures OF SILK end WOssted. This prov;,;op
bad been introduced Tor the purpose Of guard.
Ing sgaias' sDJ accumulation Of surplus Fsvs.
nue. " the lasd bill which had passed the
SeHate, and the gradual reduction of dutir,