Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-07-11

n limited period the present laws for collecting |
duties on Imports" with the following objections
Ii suspends-in other words nbrogotes for the
time the provision of the act of 1893, commonly
called the Compromise Act. The only ground
OH which this departure from the solemn ADJUST
ment of great and ngitang question seems 10
have been regarded expedent, is the alleged
necessity Of establishing by legislative enactment
rules and regulations for assessing the duties 10 oe
levied on imposis after the Both June according !
to the home valuation; and yet the DiU expressly
provides that it, before the first OF August, there
he no further legislation on the suhlecti the laws
for LAYING and collecting duties shall he the same
MS though this act had not been passed" In 9th
er words that the act OF 1888, imperfect MS 1t Is
considered SHALL in that case, continue to be, and
to be executed as law under such rules and fegu'
lnlions ms previous statutes had prescribed or had
enabled the Executive Department to prescribe
for that purpose leaving the supposed chasm in
the revenue laws lust as it was before.
am certainly far from being disposed to deny
that additional legislation upon the subject is very
desirable. On the contrary, the necessity, as well
difficulty, of establishing uniformity in the APP
praisements TO 10 made in conformity with the
true intention of that act, was brought to the mo-
iice of Congress in my Message TO Congress at the
opening of its present session. But, however sen.
sible may be of the enbarrassments to which
the Executive, in the absence of all aid from SUI
perior wisdom of the Legislature, will be liable,
with the sincercst wish to acQu esce in It's expressed
will, been able to persuade myself that the exigen
cy Of the occasion is so great us to justify me IN
signing The hi in question, with my present views
of its character and effects. The existing laws
as advised, are sufficient to authorize and enable
the collecting officers, under the direction Of the
Secretary of The Treasury, to levy the duties i'm
posed by the act of 1888
That act was passed under peculiar circumstan-
ces, 10 which it is not necessary thai ] should do
more than barely aude. Whatever it may be in
theory, its character, have always regarded it as
importing the highest moral obligation. 1t has
now existed for nine years unchanged in any es-
sential particular, with general acquiescence, it
is believed, of the whole country, as that country
has manifested for any of her wisely established
Institutions. Ii has ensured to 1t the repose which
always flows from truly wise aud moderate coun-
rlls-a repose more striking because Of long aud
angry agilatlons which preceded it, This saluta-
ny law proclaims in express terms the principle
which while il led to the abandonment of a scheme
of indirect taxation founded false basis aud
pushed TO dangerous excess lustlfies any enlarge
men Of duties which may lie called for by the real
exgences OF the public service 1t provides " that
duties shall be laid for the purpose of raising such
revenue may be necessary to an economical adj
mnslralion Of the Government 1t is, therefore
III the power of Congress to lay duties as high as
its discretion may dictate, for the necessary uses
of Government without infringing upon the OBJ
jects Of 1888. do not doubt that the necessities
of the Government do require an increase Of the
tariff of duties above 20 per cent, ard | as little
doubt but that above well as below that rate
Congress may discriminate as to give ncidenta
protection TO manufacturing industry-thus tC
make the burdens, which it is compelled to i'm
pose upon the people for the purposes of Govern
nen productive Of double benefit. This, mos
of the reasonable opponents of protective duties
seem willing 10 concede and II we may Judge
q nj uullic i'm nj
quarters this is all that the manufacturing inter
esls really require. | am happy in tho persuasion
that this double object can he most easily and eff
tectually accomplished at the present Iuncture
without any departure from the spirit and princ
pie OF the statute ia question. The manu-
featuring classes have now an opportunity, which
may never occur again, of permanently identity
ing their interests with those of the whole couII
try, and making them, in the highest sense of the
term, national concern. The moment is prop
tlous to the interests of the whole country in the
introduction of harmony among all its paris and
ali lis several interests. The same rate of Imposl:
and TO more will most surely re-eslablsh the
public credit will secure 20 the manufacturer al
the protection he ought to desire, with every pros
pect of permanance and stability which the hear
~ acquiescence OF the whole country on reason
able system can hold out TO him.
But of this universal acquescence and the har-
mOuy and confidence and the many other benefits
that will certainly result from it, regard the sus
pension of the law for distributing the proceeds
of the public lands an indispensable condition
This measure is, in my judgment, called for by
large number, II not Il great majority of the peo
pie of the United States, by the state of publ
credit and finances, by the critical posture of gu
various foreign relations, and above all, by ;ha
most sacred of all duties, public faith. The nc
OF September last which provides for the distri
button, couples it nseParably with the conditio
that it shall cease. In case of war; 2 As 500
and SO long as the rate Of duties shall, for an
reason whatever be raised above 20 per cent
Nothing can he more clear, express, or imperativ
than this language. 1t is in vain TO alledge that
deficit in the Treasury was known TO exist, an
means taken to supply it by loan when the az
was passed. Ii is true that loan was authorize
at the same session during which the Distribute
Law, was passed but the most sanguine of tn
friends OF the two measures entertained no doul
but that the loan would he eagerly taken up b
capitalists, and speedily reimbursed by a counr
destined, as they hoped, soon to enjoy all ove
flowing prosperity The very terms Of the loa
making it redeemable in three years, demonslral
this beyond all cavil. Who at that time foresa,
or imagined the possibility OF the actual state
things, when nation that has paid off her who
debt since the last peace, while all the other gre
powers have been increasing theirs, and who's
resources, already so g. eat yet but in the If
fancy of their development, should be compelle
10 hnggle in the money market for palty sun
not equal to one years revenue on her econom
cal system? Ii the Distribution law is 10 be il
dehnateIy suspended, According not only TO
own terms, but by universal consent, in
war, wherein are the actual exigencies of Il
country or The moral obligation to provide for ther
less under present circumstances Than they cou
be were we actually involved in war? IL appea
TO me % be the Indispensable duty Of all concernt
in the administration of public affairs, TO see IN
state of things so humiliating and perlo
should not last moment longer than is absolute
unavoidable. Much less excusable should we
in parting with any portion of our advisab
means, at least, until The demands of the Treas
ny were fully supplied. But besides the urgent
OF such considerations, the fact is undeniabe Ill
the Distribution act could not have become a ia
without the guaranty in the provso of the act
self
This connection, thus meant to be insepdrab
is severed by the bill presented to me. The b
violates the principle of The acts of 1888 al