The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-02-07
CONGRESS.
Monday, Jan. %.

took MS seat.
MIR. Douglas of ILL.,, from the Committee
on Elections, made report on the validity OF
the claims to seats of the general ticket mem
bers. lit argues at length the unconstitu-
tionality of the general ticket law and closes
with a resolution declaring the rights of those
members TO their seats. Mr.. G. Davis ask
ed and was granted leave to bring in minor
ity report tomorrow. The report was re-
ferred to the Committee of the Whole on the
Union ordered printed. 1t will be taken up
for consideration two weeks from tomorrow,
according TO notice of Mr.. Elmer, Chairman
of the Committee on Elections.
This Committee have decided on MIR. Gil
mer's case-in favor of his clam to his seat,
by the party majority, to g. (by which the
above report was adopted,) and will probably
report TO morrow.
In SENATE.
Observation-Disclosures from the Legs
lature of this State were read, requiring their
representatives in Congress to vote, &c. a.
gainst any change of the present tariff.
Posr OFFICE REFoRn.-Mr. Merrick pre-
scented his bill Itwas read twice and ordered
to be printed-again referred back. MIR. Mer-
rick accompanied the presentation with some
remarks upon the nature and character OF the
BILL 1.-THE feeling of the Senate seems TO be
strongly favorable to an immediate reform.
The TARIFF.-The resolution before
up, and upon which MIR. McDuffie has al
ready spoken is now again called up, and
Mr.. Evans proceeds to reply to Mr.. McDuf-
fie. He began with saying that he felt
but little interest in this subject, it has
been so often argued that there can be
nothing new said. Truth is eternal
Nothing new but experience. The first
topic which Mr.. E. discussed, was the IN
Justice alleged by the Hon. Senator (McD)
of raising all revenue of the Government
by duties imposed upon imports. He
(McD) had said no other nation does it.
But other nations, oyerburdened with
debts, and unable to raise all their revenue
by their duties, are no guide to this nation
which can do it. Mr.. E. showed at some
length, that duties upon imports was ack-
nowledged by all political economists to
be the best and most appropriate method
of raising revenue. He next proceeded
to examine at length and in detail the pro-
visions of the tariff of 1912, for the pur-
pose of proving that it is tariff of reve-
nue-in opposition to Mr.. McDuffie's ar
guments, by which he endeavored to show
that the tariff of 40 was Must, oppres-
sive and iniquitous, with falsehood stamp
ed upon its face, and not tariff for rev.
enue. but tariff for plumber" The ar
puments here used were such as are COM
monty employed on this side of the ques-
ton. A tariff developes the industry of
the people and their resources, and thus
furnishes them with the means Of purchas-
ing dutiabIe articles, which again furnish
es revenue. Mr.. E. charged MIR. Med.
with arguing from philosophy and specu-
lation, without facts. He begged to call
his attention to the inductive or Baconian
system of philosophy, which deduces con-
illusions from facts, His (McD.'s) theory
said that duties upon imports enhanced
prices. Facts proved that these duties d.
prices. Med. says prices fell
not in consequence of the duties, but in
spite ofthem. Mr.. E. then went into facts
and statistics to prove his own, and dis
prove Mods position. In the course of
his remarks, he showed that the agitation
of this subject in Congress tended to d.
minish orders for foreign goods. A stable
law gives the merchants confidence, and
they know how to act, and what to expect.
He hoped this present discussion would
not disturb their confidence in the perma-
nency and stability of the present law, al
thong such was the tendency
Mr.. E. examined in detail the imports
in the respective quarters of each year,
both of free and dutiable goods. The pub
lie papers say that the revenue is falling
off there is deficiency of revenue-the
government is becoming bankrupt, &C.
He did not believe word of it, and he
undertook toprove it, provided the present
tariff be not disturbed. In continuation
MIR. Evans said, give the poor employment
not charity. Adapt legislation to pro-
noting industry. Give the people the
means of purchasing luxuries and they
will purchase them. Mr.. E. next proceed
ed to examine effects of the act of AZ up
on commerce. There is domestic COM
merce as well as foreign commensurate
lllC vi tnc tACtCtiS that OF
the latter. What can more strengthen the
perpetuity and continuance of the Union
than the cultivation of our domestic COM
merce upon our canals and railroads.
Mr.. Med. has said that half the commerce
has been struck down by the act of AZ
But what are the proofs ?-none have
been given. No complaints have been
made-ships are building-the wages of
sailors are rising. 1t by no means follows
that because articles are imported free,
therefore they are sold at the lowest prices.
Competition reduces prices. In free trade
there is no competition. 1t would bevery
dangerous to exceed 500, 900, 900, or
100, 000,0 at the outside, of .importa-
tons per aunum. The increase of the
and capacity of our consum-
ers, does not justify larger importations.
You cannot judge of the effect of an act
imposing duties until six months after it
passes, as it requires six months for orders
to take effect. The imports under the
act of AZ exceed those ofpreceding years