The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-10

but cannot too earnestly repeat, that in order TO be
beneficial il must be permanent, and IN order 10 be
permanent, 1t must command general aequeseence
But can such permanency be justly hoped for Al the
Tariff question be coupled with that Of Distribution
as to whh-5 a serious conflict Of opinion exist
among the States and the People, which ensts in is
support bare majority if indeed there be major
ity, of the two Houses of Congress- What perma-
nency or stability can attach to a measure which,
warning upon itself, gives away fruitful source of
revenue at the moment it proposes a large increase
of taxes on the People Is the manufacturer pre-
pared To stake himself and his interests upon such
an issue
know that ii is urged but most enormously, in my
opinion, that instability is just aptto be produced by
retaining the public lands ofreyeuue as from
any other cause and this is ascrbed to constant huc
ualion it said the amount of sales If there
any thing in this objection it equally applies to every
imposition of duties on imports. The amount of re-
venue annually derived from duties is constantly lia
bic to change The regulations Of foreign govern
mens, the varying productyeness Of other countries,
periods of excitement in trade, and great variety OF
other circumstances constantly arising to affect
the state of commerce, foreign and domestic, and Of
consequence the revenue levied upon it, The sales
OF the public domains in ordinary times regulated
by fixed laws, which have their basis in demand liz
creasing only in the ratio Of the increase Of popula
lion. In recurring TO the statistics connected with
tins subject, IT will be perceived that for period of
ten years preceding 1884 the average amount of land
sales did not exceed 100000.
For the increase which took place in lS34-5 and 4,
we to look to that peculiar condition of the coun-
try which grew out of one of the most extraordinary
cxcItemens III business and speculation that have
occurred in the history of commerce and currency 1t
was the fruit Of wild spirit ofadvenlure engendered
by vicious system of credits, under the evils of which
the country is still aboring, and which it is t,ndly
hoped will soon recur. Considering The vast
amount Of investments made by private individuals
in the publlc lands, DUNG those three years, and
whi,h equaed Si9 600 600 equal to more than 20
years purchase, taking the average of sales ofthe ten
proceed ny years IL may be safely asserted that the
suit of the public land sales hold out nothing to
alarm the manufacturer with the idea Of instability in
the revenues, and quently in the of the
Government.
Under wuat appears to me, therefore, the soundest
consultations of public policy and view of the in
teress OF every branch of domestic industry, return
you the bill with these my objections to it. becoming
a law.
take occasion etnphatically u repeat my anxious
desire IS cooperate with Congress in the passing of
law, which, while ii shall assist in supplying the
wants ofthe Treasury and re-estabsh public credit,
shall afford TO the manufacturing interests of the
country all the incidental protection they require.
After all the effect of what do is substantially to
call Congress To reconsider the subject. If on
such reconsideration, majority of twohrds of both
houses should bs IN favor OF this measure. it will be-
Come law notwithstanding my objections. In a
case of clear and manifest error on the part OF the
President the presumption OF the Constitution is that
such maiorites " II be found Should they be so
found ia this case, having consclenousy discharged
my own duty, stall cheeriully acquesce in the re-
suit. JOHN I4 LEX
WASHINGTON, August oh 1912