Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-16


here to this great principle as laid down in
the compromise act. If there be those
who suppose that, under the specific form
of duty, higher degree of protection can
be secured than under the other mode,
would observe that the actual measures of
protection does not depend upon the form
but on the amount of the duty which is le-
We'd on the foreign rival article.
Assuming that we are to adhere to this
principle, then every one of the leading
principles of the same act can be ad-
hered to and fully carried out; for again
assert that the idea that duties are always
to remain at precisely twenty per Gen.. and
never to vary from that point. be the ext
gencies of Government what they may,
does not belong to the language of act, nor
is it required by any one of its provisions.
The next resolution have proposed to
the consideration of the Senate is this:
Resolved, That the provision in the act OF
the extra session, for the distribution Of the pro-
ceeds Of the public lands, requiring the operation
Of that act to be suspended, in the contingency of
a higher rate of duty than twenty per cent. ought
to be repealed.
Now, according to the calculations have
made, the repeal Of the clause in question
and the recall of the proceeds of the sales
of public lands from the States, even if
made, will not dispense with the necessity
of great increase in the existing rate of
taxation. have shown that a duty of
thirty per cent. will not be too much to
furnish the requisite amount of revenue for
Just and economical administration of the
Government. And how much of that rate
will be reduced should you add to the rev.
enue from imports the million and half
(Which was the amount realized the last
year, derived from sales of the public do
main! 1t will be but the difference. be-
tween 80 and about % 1-2. For, since 80
per cent yields revenue of twenty-six
millions, one per cent. will bring about
100000; and every million of dollars de-
rived from the lands will reduce your taxa
ton on imports only 100000; if you get
a million and half from the lands, it will
reduce the taxes only from 80 to % l-2 per
cent; or if you get three millions, as some
gentlemen insist will be the case, then you
will save taxes in the amount of the differ
ence between 80 per cent. and about 81
per cent This will be the whole extent of
benefit derived from this inland fund,
|
be so abundant as to relieve us from all ne
cessity of additional taxation at all. put
it, then, to every Senator, no matter whe-
Their he was opposed to the land bill or not,
whether he is willing, for the sake of this
: trifling difference between 80 and IS l-2
per cent. or between 80 and 81 per cent,
, to disturb great, momentous and perplex-
: ing subject of our national policy, which
is now settled, and thereby show such an
4 example of instability in legislation as will
: be exhibited by the fact of unsettling so
! great question within less than eight
months after it had been fixed, on the most
Y mature consideration! If gentlemen can
: make more out of the land fund than have
e here stated it likely to yield, should be
=; glad to hear on what ground they rest their
: calculations. say that all the difference
= it will produce in the amount of our in
G creased taxation is the difference between
80 and % l-2 or between 80 and 81 per
C per cent Will you, l repeat the question
Y when it is absolutely and confessedly neces-
. sary that more revenue shall be raised and
=. the mode in which it may be done is
e fraught with so many and so great benefits
), to the country, as l shall presently show
a will you disturb great and vexed national
i question for the sake of eking out in so
n trfing degree the amount to be raised?
i But let us look at the subject in another
# point of view. The resources on which
= Government should depend for paying the
e public creditors and maintaining inviolate
o the national faith and credit, ought to be
: such as to admit of some certain estimate
e and calculation. But what possible reli
b ance can be placed on fund so huctuating
d and variable as that which is derivable from
d the sales of the public landsl We have
II seen it rise to the extraordinary height o
e twenty-six millions in one year, and in les
e than six years afterwards fall down to thu
low amount of one million and half
e The next resolution affirms proposition
le which hope will receive the unanimou
IF consent of the Senate. 1t is as follows:
s. Resolred, That it is the duty OF the Govern
w ment at all times, but more especially in a seaso
O. such as now exists Of general embarrassment an
H. pecunary distress, TO abolish all useless institt
he tons and offices, to curtail all unnecessary e.
re penses, and to practice rigid economy.
y, And the seventh resolution declares
n That the contingent expenses OF the tw
n. Houses of Congress ought to be greatly reduces
of and the mileage of members of Congress ought
~ ~ be regulated and more clearly defined.
in 1t has appeared to me that the proce,
ne retrenchment of the public expenses an
e. reform of existing abuses ought to begi
he in an especial manner here, with ourselve