Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-04-24


perhaps it might not be: then we should receive
the more revenue, and should collect 1t on an art-
Gle of the merest luxury. Sir, If such measure
could originate in this House, I would move, this
hour, to bring in a bill laying duty on imported
silks.
The next article is wine. Wines were imported
last year to an amount exceeding three millions of
dollars. Why should not wines pay duty. !
know, that in regard tc French wines, we are lin
tied, by the treaty with France, until 1912. But
still, within those limits, we might lay consider
able duty on the wines of France. But should
have no desire TO lay duties on the red wines, or
the cheaper wines of France. Such wines are con-
sumc1, extensively, in the South and West,
suited to the habits of the people, and supposed to
he suited also to the climate. Until more neces-
sary than at present to tax then they might be re-
ccved untaxed. But other, and costly wines, such
as are regarded as Injuries only, might well be
subjected TO reasonable duty.
would lay no duty on tea or coffee, because
they are very generally used, have become IN some
degree necessaries of life, and contribute largely
10 promote comfort, temperance, and happiness
among all classes. I NAV add that the general
use of these articles is one of the most striking
things which distinguish the laborng classes OF
this country from the same classes in other coun-
tries.
Such, Sir, wonld be my resort if lcould have
my own way, for revenues, such as are necessary
for the support OF Governmcnt.
As to the public lands, have been, and still
am, in favor of dividing their proceeds among
the States upon fair equitable principles. Perhaps
this should not be done till the census, winch Is
to lie taken this year, be finished; as that will be
the s,lrest means Of making Just and proper dv-
sion but, al a proper time, am for the measure.
In addition TO other reasons which have been so
often urged it may be said, with force, that
the income from this source is TOO unsteady
and iuctuatlng to be relied on an essen
tial branch of public revenue. But few days
ago, it Amounted to tweny-fonr millions. For
this year, it is estimated but three and half l
should, therefore, assign this income to the States,
whatever 1t might be, and rely for revenue ON
those other sources winch have mentioned. In
addition to silks and wines, there are some artl-
cles, called the protected articles, such as woo!len
fabrics, on which, in my opinion, the duties ought
TO be raised. | would not hasten, indeed, the dis
cussion of the general tariff question, but that
question is now before mot far Land must soon
be upon us.
Mr.. President. orr imports, the last year, reached
the unprecedented amount OF one hundred and
ily-seven millions of dollars, exceeding by near
" fifty millions the impor, Of the year before. Yet
even this seems not to satisfy us all. Public men
appear to have ruling passions or strong tenden-
cie> of preference toward particular objects. 1t
seems to me that our Government, and many of
our people, have mhibed an eXravagant and
morbid love of importation. They seem to Judge
of the prosperity ofthe country, and the happiness
of its people, exclusively by the quantities OF tor
egn merchandise which they annually consume.
With all respect, the President himself, | think,
has feelings with this tendency. find this para
graph in his last annual Message:
"Our people will not long be insensibe to the
extent of the burdens enlailed upon them by the
false system that has been operating ON their SAN
| guine, energetic and Industrious character; nor
to the means necessary to eXtricate themselves
| from these enbarra sslneniS. The weight which
| presses upon large portion OF the People and
| tIn Sfltn "a "a on Irlnn M
| nestle. The foreign debt of our States, corpora
| tons, and men of business, can scarcely be less
| than two hundred millions OF dollars, requiring
| more than ten millions ofdoars year TO pay
the interest. This sum has to be paid ont otthe ex-
ports Of the country, and must of necessity cut of
| imports to that extent, or plunge the country
more deeply in debt from year to year. 1t is easy
to see that the increase of this foreign debt must
augment the annual demand on the exports to pay
| the interest, and to the same extent diminish the
| imports and in proportion TO the enlargement OF
| the foreign debt, and the consequent increase OF
interest, must be the decrease of the import trade
| In lieu of the comforts which it now brings us, we
| might have Our gigantic banking institutions, and
| splendid, but in many instances protitlesS, rail-
| roads and canals absorbing to great extent, in
| interest upon the capita. borrowed to construct
| them, the surplus fruits of national industry for
| years to come, and securing 10 poserty no ade-
| qnac return for the comforts which the labors OF
| their hands might Otherwise have sccnred"
Now, sir would ask most respectfully whether
any one can mention any railroad or canal more
proltlcSs TO the country than this enor.nous inn
| porla,on of foreign l,iXurieS /? Or, would ask,
what those imported comforts are, Of which We
| get so much less than we ought to desire? Does
| our comfort require greater importation OF silks
or wines? Or should we be better oil by adding
| to the six or eight millions of imported woolleu
fabrics further to depre>s and distress our own
! manufactures, Or the aggregate of one hundred
| QI dollars ~
merchandise, not enough, on the WHOLE to satisfy
Our eager appetite Tor foreign productions. has
much as we lay and collect no duties on silks ant
wines, we are likely to fall short of revenue; in
a>much as we are likely to fall short of revenue
we refuse all appropriations to the Cumberland
road, and TO harbors on the lakes. Ii would seen
to follow, from this, that we deem silks and wines
more necessity olliie than good road a new
country, or ports and Ravens, in which ships, en-
ploycl IN useful commerce, can take shelter tol
the preservation Of Ewes and property.
| Mr.. President, II is remarkable, that this spirit
for importation should become so strong, ltst when
our own occupations and cmploynlenls are mos
depressed. The cotton manufactures, practically
are in worse state than they have been iol
twenty years. Ii is supposed that AT least one
half the woollen machinery in the United State,
has ceased 10 work, and many Of the establish.
ment> might be purchased at one-third their cost
The iron trade and the coal trade suffer with the
rest. lfthe condition of Eastern and Northern
manufactures he a. have stated, doubt whether
one would receive much more favorable account
if he were TO inquire into the condition of trade
and business, AT Plttsburs, at Wheeling, or al Gin
clnnatti.
Under the circumstances Of the country. sir,
confess do not comprehend how any man should
desire to see greater importation ottoreign COM
moditieS.
The Secretary Of the Treasury expresses senti'
ment>, if not entirely like those which have beer
CONSIDERING vet such as seem to belong to the same
general system of policy. He says, in his annua
report:
"Should the States not speedily suspend NOR,
Of their undertaking, which are unproductlve but
by new loans or otherwise, find means TO employ
armies of aborcrs in consuming rather than rails
ing crops, and should prices thus con- inue in ma
ny ca ses TO be unnatllrally inflated, as they have
been of late Ncars. in The face of a Contracting