The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-12
VOL. VIlI.--NO. 10.


England. we ought, one would think, TO ask
ourselves whether she would probably assent
TO any considerable reduction in her duties
on articles produced bv US. On the s'h Of
last month the annual budget was laid be-
fore the House of Commons by The Chan
celor of the Exchequer; and. in the debate
that ensucd. 1t was demonstrated that ther4
was falling off in the gross revenue antic.-
pated by SIR Robert Peel. Of nearly two
millions sterling for the year. The Chinese
silver has saved the Exchequer most oppor-
timely from some ofthc disasters which must
have ensued from so gross a miscaeulation.
! leave others 10 Judge whether under sucE
circumstances, Mr.. Webster. or any Secre-
tary at Washington. With The aid Of Presi-
dent Tyler 10 help him, could persuade the
British Minister to reduce the duties on To-
bacco, as Mr.. Webster has imagined, or.
indeed, upon any one of the articles of A
mcrlcan produce enumerated in his list
Let 1t be remembered. that, during the year
1871, the whole importation from foreign
countries into the United States was Sl27.-
$4,000, upon which the whole amount Of
duties laid by us was Sl4,457 .000-bein2
at the rate Of III per cent. only while on
the other hand. in that same year, the whole
amount Of expectation from the United
States 10 foreign countries was S9l.000.~
600. and The amount Of dulles levied on
these by foreign countries vas $ll3,550..
600. being a the raie OF t34 per cent. The
average value of the Tobacco exported in
1899 and 1910 as S9,225, 900; upon whIch
Europe levied tax of more than $50 per
cent. upon the value tine article. In these
exactions from Us, every one knows that
England has had her full share, and more
than her full share. While she keeps US IN.
der the operation Of her Tariff, in this coE-
dition, the Ex Secretary of State is striving
TO persuade bis countrymcn that the leopard
is about to cirange his spots, ana that Eng>
land really means 10 make with US an ar
rangement by which reciprocal advantages
are 10 be gained by Commercial-or. to
speak more properly, by Thrift Treaty
with England. A fair description, or one
arproxi7aing 10 fairness, would require nf
her 10 take of 60 per cent. OF her duties on
our expectations, and for US 10 levy on hers
m increased duty Of so per cent. more
than VIC now exact from her. Without
Iwellirg longer upon this branch Of the SUD-
lect, and leaving the fond and visionary IN.
| thusiast. who is willing 10 cherish the lea
that England is in condition TO make 4
fair Commercial Treaty with us, and is re1i-
ly willing to do it, 10 the enjoyment of hrs
own fancies. | choose 10 demonstrate lie
absolute impracticability of this whole pro-
jsct, by turning year attention 10 what our
I a., tk,.. et,i,ta-t
and to what any man of any considerable
experience in our public counsels knows 1t
nerer ,rW do.
This proposition is presented by diff
ent advocates 10 two distinct aspects. Ar
cording TO some, il is, in effect. 10 make =
tariff by treaty according 10 Others, 1t is
TO do The same thing by commercial ar
rangetncnt. Every Tariff Act Of Impo'I-
ance which wo have ever passed, has been
enacted by n very small majority in eaci,
branch of Congress. One vote carried tho
Tariff Act of 1924 and one vote in zach
House Of Congress carried the Tariff hct
Of 1912. Yet each member who voted for
those acts, knew at the time he gave his
vote. that the net he voted for was. like auy
other law of Congress, capable Of being
pealed, II fouad 10 be injurious in its oper;-
tion, and capable Of being revised, modified
and altered at any time TO come. If tue ext.
gencies of the country should require i, =
The congressman who passed these laws,
we're not called upon to vote for perpetuni
Tariff, or one which could not be q aended
wiihou; the consent Of England. With a
perfect consciousness that they could in flu
lure correct any error thus made, vet VIC
see that, in almost every instance, il was
found impossible 10 allav the iealnusies ard
fears, or appeasc the animIsities md rival
ries Of The mulllaTious interests conflicting
with each o'her in the different sections Of
cur great and greatly growing county,
And in consequence oil this N every ir>
stance, thy passed their Tariff law. Ties
most important Of all laws 10 the nation, hy
the smallest possible majority. During the
session of 1912, Mr.. Webster was present
al Washington with al opportunity of infu-
sing all his opinions into he public coun-
sells on this subject, quite rs ample as he or
any other man can expect 10 be INDUCED in,
who shall undertake the mighty labor of rec
onciing Congress TO another Thrift under
the name ofCommercial Treaty. He knows
well that, while the Senate OF the Unl'ed
States could he induced TO pass Tariff. al
ter many months labor, by majority Of
only one vote, or any other who shall un-
deriake practically to carry out this new
project, now has to obtain the assent oftwo-
thirds of thai Senate 10 any modification of
that Tanf which shall be established BY
treaty. Does any advocate of this expert
ment expect to obtain The requisite conslIln-
iional majority Of two-thirds TO any Tariff
in the shape of a Treaty which the wit Of
man could possibly suggest ANY oan
who has had experience ia The public coun-
ellis will pronounce the scheme ola Treaty.
Tariff, 10 which rwo-thirds of the assemble
Senators ofthe q. States must assent before
it is ratified and confirmed, 10 be utterly ard
absolutely impractica5le, not TO say impos-
sIble. But let US suppose that The requisite
majority of two-thirds could be obtained.-
The question then arise. what is the effect
r i