The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-24
TWENTY-EIGHT CONGRESS-.
FIRST Sc SION.

TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate
JANUARY q, 1874.
REpUcrroN OF PosrAoE-Mr. HuNTINGToN pre-
sented petition from 35l citizens of Middletown,
Conn asking for reduction OF postage Mr.. a. &C
companied the presentation with some remark ks ex-
pressing his conviction that there is general pub
lie demand for post Office reform by the people at
large-,hat postage should be reduced, the franklng
privilege abolished, and other reform made. Mr..
H. expressed his own strong opinion that there
should be an immediate reform.
BANKING HOUSE THE u. ;. BANK.-Mr. Blu.
| CHANAN presented petition from merchants and
others of Philadelphia stating that the present build
ing in that city used for Custom House, is wholly
gress will purchase the above named building,
which it is stated can now be bought for $500 600
The old Custom House will bring $50 OoO, thus re-
ducing the expense to $3.50 600, which is less than
House. 1t is said that the lot on which the house
now stands, and the building itself, will bring, if
now sold, only the bare worth of the marble, and
of the lot.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON said he had received letters, as
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, rela-
tive to this subject, and intlmated, if the petition
were referred to that committee, they would give
it all that attention which it deserved
VERMONT Instructions from the Legislature of
this State were read, requiring their representa-
lives in Congress to vote, &c. against any change
of the present tariff
PosT OFFICE REFoRM-Mr. Merrick presented his
bill-of which have already sent you the outline
on this subject. 1t was read twice and ordered to
be prnted-again referred back: Mr.. Merrck ac-
companled the presentation with some remarks
upon the nature and character of the bill. 1.-THE
feeling of the Senate seems to be strongly favora-
BILE to an immediate reform.
Mr.. EVANS ON THE TARIrF-[The galleries are
up and upon which MIR. McDuffie has already
spoken is now again called up, and Mr.: Evans pro-
ceeds to reply to Mr.. McDuffie He began with
saying that he felt but little interest in this subject;
| new said. Truth is eternal. Nothing new but ex-
| perience. The first topic which Mr.. E. discussed,
was the injustice alleged by the Hon. Senator
| (McD.) of raising all revenue Of the Government
ny duties imposed upon imports. lie INC
Duffe) had said no other nation does It..
| But other nations, overburdened with debts, and
unable to- raise all their revenue by their duties,
ire guide to this nation which can do it. MIR. Z.
| showed, at some length, that duties upon imports
| was acknowledged by all political economists to
be the best and most appropriate method OF raising
| revenue. Mr.. Evans next proceeded to examine at
length and in detail the provisions OF the tailn OF
| Of revenue-in opposition to Mr.. McDufhe,s argu,
ment,by which he endeavored to show that the tariff
Of AZ was "unjust, oppressive and iniquious, with
Tor revenue, but a tariff for plumber" The argu-
mens here used were such as are commonly en-
ooyed on this side of the question. A tariff deve-
ops the industry OF the people and their resources,
md thus furnishes them with the means Of purchas
ing dutiabe articles, which again furnishes reve
nue. Mr.. E. charged Mr.. Med. with arguing from
philosophy and speculation, without facts. He
begged to call his attention to the inductiye or
Baconian system of philosophy, which deduces
conclusions from facts. His (McD 81 theory said
hat duties upon imports enhanced prices. Facts
proved that these duties dimnshes prices Med.
nut in spite of them. Mr.. E. then went into facts
md statistics prove his own, and disprove Med Is
'osition., In the course OF his remarks he
howed that the agitation OF this subject In Con
stable law gives the merchants confidence,
md they know how to act, and what to ex,
'ect He hoped this present discussion would
lot disturb their confidence in the permanency and
liability of the present law although such was the
endency. Mr.. E. examined in detail the imports
the respective quarters of each year, both OF free
md of dutiable goods The public papers say that
he revenue is falling ofl-!here is deficiency Of
&c. He did not believe word OF it, and he under
ook to prove it, provided the present tariff be not
disturbed: In continuation Mr. EVANS said, give the
'oor employment-not charity; Adapt legislation
purchasing luxuries and they will purchase them.
| Mr. E. next proceeded to examine the effects OF
he act OF AZ upon commerce. There Is domestic
commerce as well as foreign commerce-and the
mount of the former exceeds that of the latter.
What can more strengthen the perpetuty and con-
.inuance of the Union than the cultivation of our
domestic commerce upon our canals and railroads.
Mr. Med. has said that half the commerce has been
truck down by the act of AZ. But what are the
,roofs!-none have been given No complaints
rave been made-ships are buiding-the wages OF
| IF sailors are rising. 1t by no means follows that
because articles imported Free therefore they
| IRE sold at the lowest prices Competition reduces
prices In free trade there is competition would be
very dangerous to exceed 500 or $2O 900 at
he outside importations per The increase the
opulaton and capacity Of our consumers does not jus
fy larger importatons You cannot Judge Of the effect
II hmm until
it requires six months for orders to take effect The
imports under the act of 42 exceed those Of
Mr.. Z. adduced statistics to prove that
he increase of duties does not diminish commerce
should report this much fully not the whole
subject much fully and ably discussed in all its
'ble bearings, in the money articles Of the Herald;
ay ably "because the facts stated there
atey fully and carefully To prove that duties do not
finnish commerce, Mr. E. stated, that when the mpor
alton Of duabe goods fell off that the mporations Of
goods fell off still more thus proving that the cause
decrease could not have been the duties otherwise
Why should the importatons Of free goods fall of
MIR. EVANS continued till o'clock, when he gave way
| motion for adjournment.
| The Senate then went into executive session.