Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-01-16

The following is from the New-York
Advocatc:-
Treasury construction Ofthe Tariff law
Of 1888, commonly known by the name:
of the Compromise, or Mr.. Clay's Bill.
We published yesterday the Tarifflaw
of 1888, and stated in general terms, our
views in opposition to the construction
given by the late Secretary, M'Lane,
and the instructions just received at the
Custom ii ouse from the Treasury De-
partment, as regards the reduction Of du-
ty on cotton goods. The following state
ment shows the operation of the Secre-,
tary's construction of a law which ex-.
pressly states in so many words, that one
tenth part of the duty over and above
twenty per cent. on the value, shall he
deducted, sc. 1t is therefore evident
that the value is mentioned merely for the
purpose of ascertaining what twenty per-
cent en- such value will amount to-
Solely to ascertain what the excess over
said twenty per cent. on the amount of
duty now paid, actually is; in order that
ten per cent. therefore, may be deducted.
The law contemplates the reduction to
be made TO be gradual, and not fifty per
cent, as the Secretary has decided it to-
be, on cotton goods.
We know from actual inquiry, that al
though the Collector Of this port allows
entries to be made according to the in
structions received from the Treasury,
Upon the principles we complain Of; yet.
the Naval Officer refuses to sign the
permits, until he shall hear fuhher-as'
he construes the law in n manner totally
at variance with these instructions.
1t Cannot, we think, admit Of the slight
est doulN, that the Treasury construction
is entirely wrong, and we again rereat'
our earnest hopes, that the matter may
be immediately brought before Congress-
for, as will be seen by our statement
below, that construction will ruin every
calico printing establishment in the conn
try, rs wei! az many other manufactures
Of cotton goods. We are informed irorn
the best authority, that a very extensive
manufacturer on the North River, stated
to an officer of the Customs, that ii Mr..
M'Lane's construction should obtain, he
should Immediately discharge one thou
sand persons, who had families dependent
upon them, and more or less engaged in
his printing works.
Such will undoubtedly be the ruin that
will be spread far and wide among the
calico printers, and cotton manufacture
ers. We look, therefore, with full con-,
fdence to the immediate interference Of
Congress, to arrest an evil which we are
well convinced it could never have been
their intention to infict upon so vastly
important a source Of industry. Stop the
calico printers, and you stop half the
cotton mills in the United States, which
would be alike destructive to the farmer,
the planter, the manufacturer, and the
merchant. 1t is needless to enlarge up
on it, for it is undoubtedly contrary to law
and will, therefore, claim that immediate
attention from Congress which an evil SO
immense in its bearings upon the indus
try Of the country imperiously demands.
Example.
100 pieces Of cotton, each % yards
long and "a inches wide, costing l4s.
sterling per piece, or Cd. sterling per
yard, according to the act ofJuly, 1889,
would pay duty as follows:
1900 square yds. at 35 cts. $3.50 90
Duty at 25 per cent. $'37 %
The same, according to the act
Of 1888, on The "value" or
cost, 1896, at 90 per cent.
would pay . SCI 20
Deduct from the "excess" 900
30) at 10 per cent 50 O3
Net duty "according TO law" $l47 Al
by the Treasury construction
it would stand thus; Duty on
the cost, $33G at 25 pr. ct. S84 90
Deduct 10 per cent. from the
excess over 90 per cent.
(Sl6 8O,) 81 ca