Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-10

olI..,;no yevenue sufficient for its necessary pur-
noses Our present Congress seem TO manifest g'ea
dearee either OF ignorance or pervcrsehess upon .I
eubiect While we feel no confidence IN the present
CONGRESS. we have respectful opinion OF the wisdom
and patriotism OF the old Congress, convened al una.
del,hia pror TO the adoption of the Constitution lha'
Congress finally decided in favor OF ras'nga revenue
hv duty ON imports Rhode Island refused 10 comply
Congress- on the 10th Dec, 1872 adopted report on
the subject, from when we inahe 'he ioii""'"s
for the public benefit.
To The first objection of Rhode Island that the pro-
nosed duty would be unequal in its operaiion bearing
bardes upon the most commercial States ana so would
press peculiarly ha.d upon that State, which draws s
chief support from commerce, Tue fep"i' "aAes '"e
following answer
uTbe most common experience, joined TO the con.
current opinions of the oldest commercial and po
cal observers have established beyond controversy this
general principle shat every duty on imports is nicer
norated with the price of the commodity, and ultimate
iv paid by the consumer with profit on The duty II
sef as com pensaon the merchant Tor The advance
of his money The merchant considers the duty &c
mnnded by the Slate the imported article, IN Inc
same light with freight, any similar charge and, add
nr il 10 the original cost, calculates his proht on 'ie
naTrepate sum 1t may happen, that at particular con
;nnctures where the markets overstocked and
there is competition among lhe sellers, TINS may mol
he practicable but in the general course OF trade the
demand for consumption preponderates and the mer
chant can with indemnify himself, and even OBJ
tain 4
his share of the duty but is no further burden upon
him. The consequence Of the principle laid down
that every class OF the community bears lis share o.
The duly in proportion 10 It's consumption, which las
il regulated by the comparative wealth OF the resPec
tive classes con- junction with their habits oil ex
ncnse or r,gaIty. The rich and luxurious pay in pro
norton 10 their riches and luxury-the poor and pnrs
moninus in proportion 10 their poverty and parslmony
chief excellence Of this mode OF revenue is, That d
preserves Just 10 the abilities of individuals
| promotes frugalty, and taxes extravaganza iEe
same reasoning in situation applies 10 the inter
course between TWO States-If one imports, and the
other does not the latter must be supplied by the for
mer The duty being transformed to the price OF tht
commodity, is more charge OH the importing State
for what is consumed in the other, than IL is charge
on the merchant for what is consumed by the farmer
ar;i(cer. Either State will only feel the burden in
ratio 10 its consumption, aud Tins will be in ratio Il
Tia population and wealth. What happens between
| The different classes Of The same community, III
ternally happens between the two States-and Al
the merchant in the first case-so far from losing
the duty himself has profit the money he advance
for that purpose, the importing State, which in tn
second case is the merchant with respect TO the other
j, not ONLY reimbursed by the non. importing State bu
has a ike benefit the duty advanced. 1t is there
fore the reverse Of just POSITION that the duty pro
posed will bear hardest The most commercial States
il will if any thing, have contrary effect, though no
in sufficient degree to justify objection lie par
of the non. inn porting State. For it is reasonable
they should allow advance on the duty paid as oil
the first freight or any incidental charge The.
have also other advantages in the measure, fully eqni
yalent to this disadvantage. Over nice and minute
calculations in matters Of this nature Inconsistent
with national measures, and in the imperfect state
human aars would s,agnate all the operations of Go
vcrnment.
Il Absolute equality is not TO be obtained; 10 aim al it
is pursuing shadow at the expense Of the substance
and in the event we should find ourselves wider off tn
mark than It, in the fret instance, we were content
approach it with moderation.