The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-08-17
WOODBURY's JNEXCEPTIONABLE REVIS
ION OF THE TARIFF.

Will the readers Of the Star thank the Editor of
that print for the contracted and onesided manner
in which he treats the measures now pending in
Congress When he speaks of the bill for
the temporary revision of the tariff, would
| it not be as well for him TO state that for a
years past the expenses of the Government have
exceeded the income by thirty one millions OF dol
lars, that that income is annually diminishing un.
der the operation of tho compromise act, and
that the duties on imports must be regulated as
to meet this deficiency direct taxation must be
the inevitable result, even should the distribution
bill fail to become a law. And might he not init
mate what he very well knows to be fact; that
the compromise act is considered by certain por-
ton of the Union as binding upon all parties, that
discriminating duty upon luxuries alone sufficient
to meet the unavoidable expenses Of Government
must infringe upon that contract, and hence arises
| necessity for duty upon some necessaries to a
void more grievous mode of taxatonP And fur
Their might he not, when bringing forward neces.
saries as subject 10 an increased duty by this bill
| show his readers that Injuries also taxed; and
that too in proportion TO FIVE articles of the lat
ter, TO Of the former.
And might he not, to illustrate the whole matter
and show the flsity of those pretenons that there
exists necessity for this revision of the tariff in
sert that part of Secretary Woodbury's report to
the Senate, dated January 10, 1841, in which ne
cessy is not only implied, but the means of meet
ing that necessity and the articles specified to be
taxed are identical with those embraced in the
present bill, and those too, which are designated
as necessaries
If the editor Of the Star has forgotten about this
document perchance has never heard Of it, he
will do well TO procure il as it may him from
falling into many papabla absurdities, and notwith
standing e1pediency appears to be his creed he may
vet conclude that in politics fair representa-
ton is good creed and that "honesty is the best
policy.
| That part of the Report alluded to is as follows:
! "Suppose then, there should be selected from
the free articles those which may be regarded most
as Injuries, though not in every respect belonging
| exclusively to that class: such tea, coffee and
silks; should we then add to them others, codict.
ing with similar, American productions, such as
worsteds, linens, &C., and the aggregate deductne
the amount reexported would be 500 ,026 ,44S.
duty of 90 per cent. on those, after paying the
expenses orcolleting, would yield about the same
amount Of five millions. This seems TO contain the
general data for the most eligible aud unexceptiona
BILE revision" ru4a-
articles specified by Mr.. Woodbury.
Silks & manufactures Of, Crude Salt Petre,
Silk and Worsted, Animas(not for breed ,
Worsted stufIs Furs (undressed)
Linens, bleached &c, Coffee,
T'oklenburghs &c, Tea,
Sheetings, Copper in pigs,
Boiling cloths, Shrtlng, do
Wool under cts per lb Old, do
Here then is synopsis Of the late Secretary o
the Treasurys plan for the revision Of the tariff,
which by comparison wilsbe found to agree In pril
cple and detail with the bill Of which the editor o
the Star complains bitterly, and which he i
pleased to style the "lederal Tariff" But info rt
natey for him Mr. Woodbury. had named it first &
to him therefore, belongs tho honor of its christen
!ng-he styles it "he most eligible and unercephol
able reoision of the Tariff"