Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-18

TwENTY-sEvENTH CoNGREss.-2d Session.
| SPEECH OF Hon WILLIAM SMITH, OF Va,
on THE TARIFF BILL
In the House Of Representatives., July y, lofZ.
lCoNcLUDED
| have now, Mr. Chairman with candor, considered
the principal reasons support Of a protective policy
and hive satisfied myself, at least that they are OBJ
noxious, equally to practical justice and the soundest
principles OF political economy, will now proceed TO
the consideration of objections TO the policy OF pfolec
ton.
Isl Objection.
THAT 1T Is INJURIOUS TO COMMERCE AsD EAyIctrloS
suppose, Mr.. Chairman, it will be universally con.
ceded, that commerce and navigation are two of the
great and essential partners of agriculture. Com.
nerce takes up the surplus products Of agriculture,
and navigation transports those products TO the diner
en-. markets of the world. Ii is obvious, therefore,
that any policy which cramps or embarrasses these
branches OF industry, is pejudca to the best interests
Of the country An abundance of ships, cheaPly built,
is essential TO agriculture BY ii, frcghta reduced
Every surplus that be spared is sent abro d. Pro-
ducon is stimuated-hc number of our calors ~, OF
c"urso, increased. The real hume market is formed,
and in truth, every branch of industry quicEencd and
enlarged
Nor, Sir. is this ALL Imports only paid for by
exports The imports and exports must bear the rea.
ton of equality This is universally conceded Mr.
/
country, uniform experience OF forty years has shown
that whatever the Tariff OF duties upon articles import
ed from abroad has been, the amount of mporlatons
has always borne on average value nearly approaching
to that Of the exports, though occasionally differing in
the balance sometimcs being moro, and sometimes
less When, therefore, the honorable Committee on
Commerce shows TINT free goods increase lmpora.
tons il is also established that our exports are ncreas
ed in the ratio. And is not this so' MIR. Clay
has sad "For instructed by oil experience, that
fho
reduction Of its price; and that in general, i, may be
taken rule, that The duty forms portion of lis
price" Articles being admitted free of duty, re-
dnced in price; more persons are found to consume
them. As consequences, exports are sent forward to
procure them. These find ready market; for the in
creased consumption Of the articles for which these
ports TO be exchanged gives the ability to purchase
them. And thus lively interchange Of commodities
ensucs which increases not only the business Of com
and navigation, but the comfort, prosperity, and
happiness Of all the producing classes. Why, then,
should this great interest be sacrificed TO the Tariff po
Icy; 1t is be, in fact, the right of power in
all our future 1t asks contributions to its
support II only asks that it should not be crippled and
chained for one of the least useful and important inter
ests in country.
2d Objection to a Protective Policy.
THAT 1T MUST, TO GREAT EXTENT, DEMoRALIZE THE
COUNTRY.
Nothing is more to be deprecated, Mr.. Chairman,
than the enactment of laws which do not find support
in the moral sense of the community IL lmpairs that
respect for them which is essential to their utility
A bloody criminal code cannot be enforced. Many IL.
usraons might be given Of the ineiciency Of human
legislation for want of the necessary harmony with po
pula feeling, it needful Can it, then, be sup
posed that rublic feeling will cooperate with the law
in furnishing evasion of high Tariff Or that those
whn supply the consumer with cheap goods will be
looked upon with hostility No. Sir; smugglers will
come 10 BIZ looked upon in this country they are
now in Europe-wiih favor. The two great Tariff
nations Great Britain and France-with mighty
revenue service with a contracted frontier, with
dense population, mighty military marine, and
great experience ard thorough knowledge Of the SUBJ
ect have in vain attempted 10 put down the smnggler
In Europe, smuggling is well established business,
employing large capital, with tariff of lis own,
operating almost steadily the lawful trade The
smugger's agent appears regularly on Change, and
makes his engagements with as much exactness as
guar dealers He will take oil the risks, and, for
premium, varying from fifteen to twenty per cent,
will deposit bankers check as q guaranty for the
safe delivery Of the article according 10 contract
The report Of Messrs. FIlliers 81 Bowring on the
commercial relations between France and Great Bri.
tain, estimates the loss TO the British revenue, from
the clandestine introduction of brandy, geneva, and
tobacco from France, Belgium, and Holland, to be
above 81 ,5UO,0 00-about 81 $685. 600.
We informed also, by the same authority, that
vast system of smuggling is carried on With France
By the agency of dogs ain 1923 it estimated that
100000 kiosrammes (about 2l5 900 los Of goods
thus introduced into France in 1925, ls7,3l5 and in
ls26, 100000 kogrammcs." These dogs carried
about lbs each and were easily made TO obey orders
By harsh treatment when they were loaded, and 10y
kind treatment VIXEN they reached their homes, It was
estimated that not more than one dog in seventyhve
was destroyed, although the frontier was lined with
revenue servants.
Now, Sir, If such be the difficulty in executing the
revenue laws in Europe, with all the advantages pos.
sessed there what chance is there, ask, OF executing
H.,l ,F frnnt (rrnnh nI n
in forest,) human force prevent smuggling and
exactly The extent the parties concerned may desire
Buffalo will, doubt, grow rich; and Norfolk IT she
be wise, find renovation and health in this "bIll OF
abomua'ions.
is. "that it must lose us our foreign market"
4M OBJECTION to a Proieet;re Policy.
THAT IT IS GROSSLY OPPRESSIVE, UNEQUAL, SD
UNJUST.
Before | proceed with the argument of this head,
ask attention table, embracing the relative I'M
porte Of the three great interests OF our country
rye are obliged TO omit the table
| sneak MIR Chairman of the three great interests
of industry because commerce and navigation are s"
essentially connected, that they may we'll be united
and paced under the same head. In this arrangement
o, our industry have cIasscd with agriculture certain
emnoynen,s that have always belonged to it. Surely,
elling the forest and converting it into timber, work
inp rock making brick, wagons and grinding meal,
&c may be Justly associated, being Identical IN IN
lerest and feeling nave, also, ciasseu WIN ag,eu'
ural laborers those mechanics who have always been
Tins united and who are included in the 7J3,oi5 per-
sons represented by late census, as engaged IN ma
nufactures and trades In asceraining the number OF
persons engaged in the factory business have deduct
ed the persons have just stated as gwen TO
Oiher branches were deducted, machinery, DC be-
cause they articles entirely unaffected by The
Tariff, &c But, not claiming them for agriculture,
threw them out Of the calculation altogether But
The table 10 which have before REFEREED will enable
all to Judge of the proprety OF my calculations From
this view -, 80
Agriculture has a capital of So,0ol ,27o 4U9
Commerce and navigation, 3OI ,1o2o45
Manufactures, 1ao4oi'o
Now, Sir these interests equally entitled TO JUS
tce and to be freed from unequal burdens. Al any
rate, If partial legislation were TO take place. an unln-
formed person would suppose that it would be iof Inc
benefit of the many, and not for the few. Yet, IL is
most wondrous. the smallest nterest-n many OF It's
departments puuper-s enabled TO plumber The o.nef
two 1t is an admirable illustration ofthe ethclency Oh