Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-29


equivalent to the charges of importation. But under
valuations abroad frauds real supposed in invoices
and the unjust advantages which were believed to exist
1.-The hands of foreign manufacturers, who had be-
come, fact, themselves the importers into the coun
try of large proportion of the manufactured goods
from Europe led Congress TO look to home valuation
for security rs we'll To the American importing mer'
chant TO the revenue and toAhe producers of similar
articles IN the United States. =
The legal effect of The act of1s33, would TO be
to abols the practice, after June Both, of assessing
duties uponsoces foreign valuation; and, therefore
fCongress shSnot at this session prescribe regulations
for sing aftesupon valuation to be made at the
port Of ca.ry, pass some law modifying the act OF
1888, it may we'll Beg questioned whether any ad vno-
rem duties be objected after the goth Of june The
language Of the law explicit. 1t is that, iron
and after the day last aforesaid" Dune Both, 1922
iie .1tss stonircd be paid by Law goods, wares
and merchandise, shah b ----a tho "si"" ''a,e
of at the port where the same shall be entered under
such regulations shall be prescribed by law ANA
further declared that much OF any other act as
inconsistent with that act shall be and is repealed
The assessment of duties after the day limited, on the
basis of the foreign cost value, is inconsistent WIN
the act and the law authorizing it, ust therefore, as
would seem be considered as repealed.
The act Of 1888 it must be obvious TO all, conte-
pntes no other than ad valorem duties after June,
1919: for although in given case, speclhc duty
may not amount TO 20 per cent on the cost OF the art
ce yet that fact cannot be asceaned without reier'
ence to price value-things constantly uctuatng-
and much uncertainty and perhaps confusion, would
arise, changes in the market price OF articles gnt
carry the duty beyond the limit Il; period, though
within it another.
Indeed there can be little for doubt that it was
the contemplation OF Congress, at the passing OF the
act, that duties imports should exist in the coun-
try after June 1912, but ad vaorem duties. 1t must
he admitted that this very important change In
the whole system Of imports into the United States,
since il has heretofore been regarded the dictate OF
high prudence and the teaching of long experience,
tat for the prevention Of frauds and the security OF
the revenue duties ought, far as practicable 10 be
madenot nd valorcm, but specific.
Otthe essential peemptory provisions OF the act,
there are two, which, it is moi TO be disguised, were
intended stand towards each other in the relation oil
equivalents mutual considerations. These are the
reduction of all duties TO twenty per cent ad valorem,
and the assessment of those duties upon home vaua-
ton II is impossible To read the act ITSELF and still
more impossible to advert to the history Of the times,
without arriving the most perfect conviction that The
home valuation resored TO for the purpose oiguard
ing the revenue against fraud, and protecting hmef'-
can manufactures against under valuatons-lheIe
could be no other possible object in this provision IL
is part OF the act, therefore, connected with another
part and inserted for the purpose OF qualifying essen
tally the operation of the other part
But il is highly proper to look at the circumstances
which led 10 the passage of the act OF ls3 and 10 re-
gard the motives in which it appears 10 have ilad ITS
and Cancellation, time when considerable agitation
existed and much diversity of opinion prevailed. II
events shall appear TO make 1t necessary 10 fecosuc
or readust the provision Of that law all proceedings
towards that end should be conducted under tie Ihlu
once of the same spirit. The undersigned IS most
JecnIv impressed with the force Of these convictions,
while Offering suggestions TO Congress on the SUBJECT
lie il constrained 10 admit that it has appeared to hun
that the interests Of country required some nodlca-
ION r ...a ar, ne iSa? In snnna-i 81 s "r,n,on he
fret
difficulties of establishing home valuation al our va
rous poris without mourning the FISK OIL producing
such diversity in the estimates oil value as SHOULD not
only lead TO great practical Inconvenience but inter-
re also in effect with the constitutional provision,
that duties on imports shall be equal in all the States
If such should be the opinion OF Congress, then IS
clear that some equivalent is TO be provided Tor the
home valuation, else the whole basis upon which
the act was expected TO res as measure OF compro-
mise and adjustment, is taken away or displaced-
There ceases in that event, to be the mutually or
compromise of interests evidently intended 10 be pro-
duced by placing home valuation as an equivalent
agains, reduction Of ad valorem duties IL remains
for the wisdom Of Congress to determine whether such
equivalent can be found.
Bnt in the second place, if Congress should he OF
opipion either that home valuation is practicable, or
that some equivalent and proper substitute may De found
for IL the undersigned will no, disguise his opinion that
il cannot be regarded as wise, by any portion OIL lhe
country, a permanent system Of policy 10 augment
require such augmentation by raising duties on all ar,
cles including those of absolute necessity to the lul
extent of twenty per cent, and preserving that h d
the same time as q fixed barrier against hgher du'ies
on any article whatever even those OF mere luxury
Sucb plan Of revenue if be regarded as asetted sys-
tom onnears 10 the undersigned to be unnatural and IN
convenient and such is not likely to promote the
hes, interest of the country
The probable effect of the future operation OIL Tue ac'
or 1s3 upon the manufactures and mechanical traces
of the country particularly if no home valuation oe
established and no equivalent for such home Vaina-
ton found, gives rise TO inquiry LOO hpoi'ahs - -
Il d fully acknowledged, that all duties should be
laid with primary reference to revenue; ana, Is ao
m;tiej without hesitation or reserve that no more
money should be raised, under any Pretence whal'
erer than such an amount as is necessary Tor an
aoon,m;cal administration of the Government But
within these limits, and incidental to the raising oil
o,cb revenue as may be absolutely necessary, IS De-
l;c we'd that discrimination may be mace, anu ou'ie'
mnosed in such manner that, while no part OF pro,
lection will be extended to the LABOR ana ,iuusay y.
arc masses of the people, while the whole country
iii be rendered more prosperous in peace, and minute
10 eronuer and better prepared II foreign war shouiu
come upon The principle oil discrimination mas
tanned from the period of the foundation OF the 1oVefh
mont In many cases it may be found TO be inaspeh'
ble 70 the interests Of the revenue ITSELF ana u, III
xinr system of duties, it consists with the pest IN
sresIs and true policy of the country, SO to appo.uon
them among the various species of imports as to favor
go own manufactures at the same time that the reve-
uue Itself is benefited and no injustice done to any, 1t
would seem proper and wise to reject arbitrary limits
and the idea of forced and unnatural uniformity
The undersigned feels no difficulty in admitting Una,
drtv of twenty per cent. ad vaorem, assessed upon
the value of imported articles in our own ports, would
in many instances be rate sufficiently high Tor the
benefit of the revenue, and also afford reasonaDe en-
to home producers of the same ARTICLES
those f. the 9s s the as
c0rried out by Congress But he still supposes thai
there are several descriptions of imported manufactures
and produce, which would well bear higher duty .n1d
twenty per CENT upon the home value, and thus y!ed
greater revenue 10 the Government, while in regard
to some of them it will be found that whou. sGsn IN
creased duty the aber of large classes engaged IN pro
ducng similar articles, will be greatly dePressed' mol
entirely supplanted. Sc 90
Il is enthusiastically true, and we'll worthy oil re-
=. ,,a, The ac, Of is33 was avowedy conservative
in its and character and while by
" ,a country il was not intended that the interests O.
onv other should he sacrificed by On the contrary