The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-05

8, 1874.
The bill reported by Mr.. Mckay from the COM
mittee on Ways and Means, to alter, modify and
amend the tariff act of 1912, (Mr. Hopkins in the
char,) being under consideration before the House
in committee of the whole on the state OF the
Union
Mr.. MCDOWELL said:
| Mr. CHAIRMAN l have listened with pi piofound
attention to the arguments of gentlemen who have
preceded me in this discussion, and have endeav-
ored to weigh them with impartiality; and but for
the relations which / sustain to portion of the
great agricultural West, and the close and intimate
connection of their interests with the principles
involved in this bill, should have adopted the
course which pursued at the early stages of this
session, of awaiting the result, ard casting silent
vote. But sir, if I rightly understand the objects
Of this bill-if properly apprehend its operation
upon the country-itholds out great inducement,
not only for my vote, but for my voice in its de-
fense. 1t proposes reduction of the burdens
imposed by the present tariff law upon the great
agricultural interest of the country, in which the
intelligent people have the honor to represent are
embraced. To the success of such proposition
that class would look with the greatest solicitude,
because its profits are less in proportion to the capi
tai and labor employed, and more hardly obtained
than those of any other class within the limits of
the Union. Their labor is the capital of the coun-
try, upon which the prosperity and happiness of all
other classes depend; but when we look to the
course of legislation heretofore pursued in regard
to its interests, and recollect the various methods
devised by almost al! other classes and professions
to draw from the agricultural class an undue pro-
portion of its earnings for their own aggrandize-
ment, and to shift the burdens Of taxation from
their own shoulders to this great class, the wonder
is that it has spark of vitality left, the patience
| to bear the tortures that have been and are still
inflicted upon 1t.
Unlike any other class, however, the agricultur-
| al, without complaint, maintains all the burdens
imposed upon it by the government, nor suffers
abatement of its sturdy integrity or independence
While under the deepest pecuniary embarrassment
and depression, it looks to no aid but its own right
arm, to no resource but its own productive power
for alleviation. Patience, industry and economy,
are its household words; and although depressed in
its energies or crushed for time by the extortions
OF the government and the combination of all other
classes, yet, through tn, steady exercise of its in
domitable perseverance and recuperative strength,
it rises; phenix-ke from the dust, with health, and
prosperity and healing in its wings. In its prosper
ity all other interests are restored, while often, in
the oppressive task of sustaining the impositions
of legislation, it suffers alone.
The bill now under consideration, Mr.. Chairman,
proposes various notifications in the principles and
details of the existing law; and notwithstanding
the care with which it has been matured, there are
yet many imperfectons in its provisions and details.
There are many imported articles entering into the
general consumption of the country which have
become the necessaries of life, and upon which,
though the duties levied by this bill are great
reduction upon the act of 1912, yet feel satisfied
the rates Of duty too high to be consistent with
fair and equal taxation. The articles of sugar,
molasses, bar iron, and chains constitute portion
of dutiable imports upon which could wish to see
the tariff still further reduced. But if majority
of the committee shall differ with me on this point,
and the bill shall be reported backo the house pre-
serving its present form, shall, however reluc-
tantly, from the considerations presented, vote for
it, because in its general provisions, regard it as
greatly preferable to the existing law. l am, sir,
in favor of tariff, but not of the tariff and while
opposing the impositions of the law of 1912, can
not consent to be placed in the category of the
advocates of free trade, if, by this desigaton, am
to understand that it discountenances wise dis
cr' 1inative reuenue tariff. The complex and man.
ifoId machinery of the general government requires
vast annual revenue to keep it in motion; and
aside from the proceeds of the public lands, there
is no other source of revenue than the imposition
of duties on foreign goods and tonnage, except the
last alternative of direct taxation. The question
now before the committee is not whether we shall
adopt direct taxation or tariff, but whether we
shall pursue in our action the powers delegated to
US by the constitutions in levying duties for reve-
nue., or violate them for purposes of protection.
This, sir, to my comprehension, is the distinction
between the democratic and the whig parties; and
and upon no other. To repeat the proposition, sir:
| regard the democratic party as favorable to
revenue tariff, sufficient to sustain an economical
administration Of the government, with such dis
examinations upon the various articles of foreign
production sIwill be most advantageous to the
collection of revenue. The whig party on the
other hand, as their defense of the existing 'tar"
exhibits, are for tariff for protection as the first
object, and for reuenue the incidental con-
sideration. The position assumed by the demo-
cratic party, is, as humbly conceive, abundantly
sustained in both the letter and the spirit of the
constitution, while the doctrine of our opponents
is contrary to both The 9Th section Of the federal
constitution reads thus:
"The Congress of the United States shall have
power to lay and collect duties, mposts and excl
ses, to pay the debts. and provide for the common
defense and general welfare Of the U. States" &C.
Here it is seen, Mr.. Chairman, that specific
grant Of power is conferred to lay and collect du-
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