Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-15

Plon'ise act Of 1881 and entirely, tou, Is "bss-
lutte authority, atvar anee with our.laws.
would ask, is an act for the better collection Of
helrevenues OF the port Of New York supposed 10
constitute further impostl No! Why then does
our Legislature attempt odeceive by introducing
II under this fictitious namel cannot assign any
other than that it has been done as am act o
policy on his part, knowing that by enforcing such
measure in its true shape meaning could not pass
and would only have a tendency to render both him
and his measure unpopular. Such policy and de-
ception his part is not worthy Of any confidence
the part of his constituents. As long as men
have rights and justice to uphold, osg need they
not resort to deception or wrong to support them,
right is away the stronger side and what kind
Of right can that be which vanishes with the power
OF reinforcing IT.; or rather when We are Obliged to
act wrong in order to enforce it!
As further proof OF the evasion which has exist
ed with regard TO tins measure, and also az proof
of the badness ofthe cause, learn that Jekn Qun
cy Adams brought IN this bill when only four
bers were present. Further, that this bill nearly
passed because only few members were in the
mouse, and would have passed had not certain mer-
chants interested themselves in the measure, and
pointed out to some of the members the injGIious
tendency OF such measure.
1t seems TO me TO be reflection on such me mbers
for their lukewarmness such i'm 20 rtant bill:
and we trust and hope they will investigate its
merits.
TO say nothing about the deceptiens which have
this act, would appeal to the public, and 10 TIE
SoutherEers part cularly, and ask if the would
be content to pay fourth more for articles which
constitute chief part of their clothing, and waic'
are moreover so well adapted to the climate? With
the last few years, the poorer classes here hay
awaited themselves of the cheapness OF an aTticl
called plain brown and twlled linens, being mucs
less absorber Of heat than woolen, and quentl
much more comfortable to the body in Summer, but
provided this act in question passes, they must
sort to their old clothing made oil cotton and woo.eny
nd lnnt hV-f ha napNe nj nnd It,
Grecians Of old, wear alike IN winter and summer,
and in this climate of extremes, cannot but operate
to their prejudice, both regards their health
private comforts and besides II Is n remarkable
fact that the cheaper linen has been, the creates
cleanliness has prevailed, and this ID indeed inds,
pensable to health.
some, may be termed minor ones, but far be il from
any to assert this, inasmuch as our laws ought
particularly to bear relation 10 the poor classes
as the upper classes are much better able TO bear
these imposts, we will Just take glance at the ma
nufacturers situation, who, with the exception of
few, are comparatively poor, and whose small ca.
ptal will preclude all possibility Il him doing any
business here account Of such increase of the
tariff, and which will actually amount 10 a prohibit
ton. He must in consequence, either sacrifice his
goods TO those who possess capital, or look out for
some other market and which former will have a
tendency to establish system Of monopoly in favor
Of the manufacturer or capitalist, and the latter
must lessen very materially our importatiens, aud
either must op rate a. necessary consequence
in raising the price Of the manufacture. pr
Common sense suggests Eve think) this truth
now" Experience will make fools wise" such
points, hereafter; but let us trust that none OF
will have to undergo such dear experience. As we
cannot create new powers, but only compound and
direct those Which really exist, we have q other
means Of preservation than by forming by unioa
accumulation OF forces sufficient 10 oppose the
obstacles TO security and interest," and Of puttax
these in action by first mover, capable Of making
us act in concert with each other; and trust these
few remarks, aided by the researches of the public
into the merits Of this, our case, will operate
first mover and have the desired effect.
only feel sorry TO observe, that we don't act
suiIicc:itly in unison, but resemble too much de-
rent nations, which have oil n Kind Of centrifugal
force by which they act continually against each
olher, and tena, like the worthless Of Descarcs, 10
asgrandze themselves at the expense Of their neigh
beers. "rhus the weak run in danger of being pre-
ssxtly swallowed up by the strongnor Is there any
security for them, bat by keeping themselves an
ON every side equa! F" A celebrated modern writer
observes Duties on the importation Of foreign
commodities, of which the natives fond, and
the country stands in need-upon the exportation
Of those OF the growth or the country, which are
not too plenty, and which foreigners cannot posi-
bly, do withou-on the production Of the frivslsus
and too lucrative arts-upon the entry OF every
thing of mere amusement-and in general on all OBJ
ects OF luxury, such duties are reasonable and IN
by such imposts alone that the poor esssd, and
the burthen Is thrown on the fich." But when,
the other hand, you tax tina articles hich with
in the reach, and necessary TO the comfort OF tas
poor, his clothing and the common necessaries Of
Lille, these are The means To cause the coDtpual aug
mentation of the inequality OF fortunes the subiec
ton Of such a multitude OF artixaps and useless ser
the rich ;and the multi LEGATION Of idle peopk
in cities, and the depoPuation OF our country.
Surely our laws not intended TO produce such
disastrous effects these. To look at this natter
in pure political point Of view, admitting the
cessiy Of duties, would il not be policy TO regulate
your imposts better, and to keep such proportion
between the value OF any commodity and the duties
laid it, that the ayaricc OF individuals may not be-
too strongly tempted to smugylc ~ and further, 1t
all duties were paid by the consumer o. inc commo-
dty taxed, instead OF the vcnder, would h not have
tendcsoy o. prevent fraud, as the quantity oil da.
ties he is obliged t. pay lays him under greater temp
tations, and affords him more opportunities for
| fraud; and, besides, the effects from either
| weuld be the same, aud tbs same money would rs-
| vert to the revenue, only through ssier medina
"Ths is the constant custom in China, country
where the imposts are greater and yet better paie,
than in any other part e the world. The merchant
himself there pays duty but the buyer only, aad
that without murmurings or sedition, because the
| solut ly exempted from taxation, the common Pco
pie not oppressed, and the duty falls only per-
sons in easy circumstances. .l
Independent Of all these and other considers'oas,
| what happy thing IL would be, II we could intro
duce capitation tax, exactly proportiored 90 the
| state and circumstances of individuas-it would be
| the most equitable, aud OF consequence the most
conformable or all others to frcemcn.
AsossrRvrR
Usrcs OF rmr CsSADAs.-Though nothing certain
is vet known regarding the future seat Of the Colo
NAL Government, II may safely be predicted that IL
will not be at Quebec, as orders have bcen given by
his Excellency the Governor General TO intimate TO
the proprietor Of the Government Offices there that
they will not be required AFTER the Both April and
all the government books and papers are 60 be sent
| to Montreal without delay. This would indicate
that the proclamation declaring the Unicn of the
Proviaces will be made without delay, probably on
the LIST proximo and that warrants for the election
Of members TO serve in the United House of Assem-
bly, will be issued at early date thereafter Mos
II 1. H. oF A.
ring the first Parliament ewing, 20 q cersin extent.
10 he ant Of snfc ccoInm ndatinn lnr the l.