The Arkansas banner., 1844-04-03

 THE NEWIARIFF.

We lay before our readers, to-day, the Tariff Bill recently reported to the U. S. House of Representa- tives by the Committee of Ways and Means. With out close comparison, in detail, with the Bill of ls42 for which it is intended as asubstitute, it is impossible to determine the precise rate amount of reduction of duties proposed by it. It is apparent, however, upon the face of the Bill itself, which af lords some data for comparison, that considerable reduction is proposed But the chief excellence of the Bill, as it now stands, in estimation, is not so much in the amount as in the mode of reduction which consists in the pretty extensive substitution of ad uaIorem in place of specific duties. Yet, even in this respect it does not go far enough to meet our views-for we would have every duty Gd gGlorem; and still less does it please us in it's varied discrmi nations. We would not be deemed captious, nor ex- acting in our requirements of the Democratic House of Representatives, nor even of the Committee nor do we expect that every thing which the advocates of sequal rights-equa taxes-and free trade, may justly demand, can be accomplished, at once, and by a single effort; but, as a Democrat, contending as we conscientiously believe are, for practical observance of the true principles of the Constitu tion-we did expect of those who profess to be Democrats, and advocates of the great princi- pies, nearer approximation to just policy, than this Bill proposes. That it possesses many good features, and is far better than the odious Bill of Is42 we are pleased to admit; but that it comes up to the Democratic standard either in principle or deta as nearly, even in the way of compromise, as the Committee might have made it, and as the House ought to make it. candor compesus to deny. While. therefore, we must take it. if We can get no better, as great improvement upon the black tnff; we cannot repress our dissatisfaction nor yet the hope that the House may still farther improve it. Our latest intelligence from Washington indicates that il will almost certainly pass the House, and probably the Senate.
 A few words Of its main features H proposes 10 go into operation the lst Sept lS44; up to which time its discriminatons upon the articles specified in it. range from fen to fory per cent but from and after lst Sept, ls45 the marimum cd ralorem, upon all articles whatever, is to be teentype per cent, with discriminatons below The reduction of the duty on Sugars, is, we consider, merely nominal in amount, being only half cent on the pound. It still remains at two cents pound, on the cheapest Sugar; being nearly one hundred per cent. And as to the mode of leyyng it. and the undenable object, it is still crying outrage being still specific duty io tiS ct l.e NCdttHleSl DOT ton of population at the expense of the poorest for it extorts tribute from every man who uses a pound of sugar in his family, to swell the already oyergrown fortunes of the Sugar Planters.
 The duty on Salt is changed from specific duty of eight cents bushel, to ad valorem duty of tareaty per cent This is Q considerable reduction it is true; but that Salt, which is one of the very last necessities, both for comfort and health, should be fee-ay-as free as the air we breathe We had hoped would be admitted and provided.
 On Iron, the duties have been reduced yet surely not enough for as, with few comparatively trivial exceptions all those duties specific, they undergo further reducton as do the ad ralorem duties on the ist Sept, ls45.
 These features indicate the general character of the Bill, as ii now stands. Those who desire to study il, ia detail, refer to 1t on our fourth page The report of the Committee, which followed the Bill has not vet reached us.
 SECRETARY or SrArE.-Although there has been no official announcement of the fact it is satscto- .I.s T 4t.1 rf