Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-24

months from 30lh September, lo4S 10 oo'i VI 'usi
lS43, averaged upon the goods paying aulv, was
equivalent TO duty ad valorem OF 'niiv-sesen
dollars eighty four cents and one mill upon every
hundred dollars: for the whole year from SUN
Sep,ember 1912, to 30th September, 1913, The
averaged duty was equivalent 10 net revenue
or ,hrtyfiye dollars FIVE cents and hye Inis upon
every hundred dollars in value OF goods paying
dn,v. Thai for importations from 3Olh June, lsi3,
10 Both June, 1914 the mel revenue received lnto
the treasury was equivalent 10 duty OF lhlfly-
three dollars eighty-hve cents and nine mis- up
on the hundred dollars OF goods paying duly;
that from Both September, lS43, 10 3Oth Sep!em-
Der, 1874 The net revenue received INTO inc urea
sury was equivalent to an ad valorem duty on
goods imported, paving duty, of thrly-one dol
lars ,weniy-six cents and eight mills upon the
hundred dollars. :.
From the various rates Of duties upon the dill
ferent descriptions Of articles, whereof some are
specific others ad yaloren, ranging from twenty
10 one hundred and TO two hundred per cent al
yalorem, it follows that the averaged duly per
centum ad valorem in each year depends upon
the respective descriptions of articles paying
higher or lower duties during The year, ana inc
proportions OF each, and 50 The duly ad vaiorem
must vary in the different years NO fixed rate
of duty can be applied in future 10 the articles
to be imported subject TO the various rates OF
duty.
In computing the value Of goods paying du-
IL and goods exempted from duty, the aggregate
value of both conjoincd may be estimated TORI
given population under the act OF 1912; but the
proportions of each cannot be 50 satisfactorily
estimated The past events show that high rates
OF duty on some articles, whilst others are admit
led free ofduty, increases the proportion ofree artl-
cles and decreases The proportion of articles pay.
ing duty, 10 which effect The increased supply OF
\ hae a n
In estimating the revenue 10 be expected from
the customs for the three quarters OF the current
fiscal year and the four quarters OF the hscai
year ending 30th June, 1916, the probable con-
sumption of foreign articles required by The exist
ing population Of the United States, compared
with the consumption and population at former
periods and under former laws, the actual opera
lion of the act OF 1912 and the supplies oidornes-
, tic manufactures have all been taken into view,
together with the sum OF the value OF exports of
articles OF domestic products. The results oithe
estimates are submitted 10 the Congress OF the
United States with great respect, and with due
confidence in their combined information and
deliberation.
An indubitable conclusion as 10 the sum of
revenue hereafter 10 be received up 10 the goth
June, 1916, cannot be asseverated. Presumption
must be INDUCED. From the pas, course and pro
cess used, violent presumption arises as 10 the
| future. Time and experience alone can substi-
lutte fact in place of that which is now but arsu-
lnent.
Ii is not probable that for the seven ensuing
quarters, the averaged sum Of revenue per quarter
will fall below the average Of the last four quar-
iers The value of importalions is not inordnae
for the increased and increasing population, when
compared with other years of prosperity and the
then existing population. The country is reco-
yering from The diseased state of the circulating
medium, and the depression OF commerce and in
dustry caused thereby; the exports Of domestic
products and manufactures during the fiscal year
ending Both June 1874 TO The value Of one hun
dred millions one hundred and eighty-ihree thou
sand dollars, (as appeared by The returns from the
custom. houses in which the value Of ships and
vessels built in the United States for foreign
States and individuals, are not included indicate
heahhIu prosperous condition, promising 10 the
people an ability 10 supply themselves with The
comforts and luxuries OF other climates and conn
tries. and 'afiording wsll-grounded expectation
that there will not lie any extraordinary exPorta-
tons Of gold and silver
The value Of goods and merchandise imported
free Of duty bears great proportion TO the value
of those imported paying duly. By such eyemp-
lions from duty, the inequality Of the burden OF
taxation between the respective classes OF consul
mers is increased. BY charging the circle OF
articles charged with duty, and diminishing the
circle of articles exempted from duty, the porpoT-
lions OF contribution 10 The public treasury cal be
made 10 bear more fairly and equitably upon those
who pay these direct taxes. By lowering the
rates of duties, and abridging the list OF articles
admitted free OF duty, the comforts and coIsump-
ton of The people will De enlarged; the iemp,a.
tons 10 smuggling will be decreased; and the ne
cessary sum of revenue will be more certainly
raised. Therefore the Secretary OF the Treasury
most respectfully recommends 10 the considera-
ton Of Congress the proprieiy OF lessening the
rates OF duties; and that all articles imported be
subjected TO duty, excepting such rs shall be i'm
ported for The use OF the United States for literary
institutions, wearing appare, toolsand Implements
of a mechanical trade, professional instruments
| and books; such wearing apparel, tools and I'M
plemenls OF mechanical trade instruments and
books Of professional calling, being brought
along with such person arriving in the United
States, and bringing such not for sale or merchan-
disc, but for The especial use ofhimself, herself,
or his or her family.
II is respectfully recommended, that The mode
OF ascenaining the tonnage OF any ship or vessel,
as directed by an "acl 10 regulate the collection
of duties on imports and tonnage" approved d
March, l199, claws U. s., vol 3, chap. l2a, sec.
64, D. l96, be so far altered and amended as 10
require that the actual depth OF the ship vessel
be measured that the breadth thereof be measured
4
above The main walls; that average ofthe breadth
be made; and then that the length and breadth, as
averaged, and depth as measured, be multiplied,
with the deduction as directed by that act. This
change has become important, because, in mo-
dern times models Of ships and vessels have been
so altered, as that the mensuration directed by
that act does not approximate 10 the true tonnage,
but makes it appear far less than the truth. By
such shof. mensuraop, our ships papers arc
brought into suspicion and discredit in foreign
ports the duties in our ports are lessened, and our
tonnage and navigation appear untruy 10 have
declined greatly.
The seventh section OF the act Of 18th June
1914, "making appropriations for the civil and di-
plomatic expenses Of Government for the fiscal
wear ending 30th June, 1885, and for other purpo-
SEES" enacts, that the number OF inspectors, gau-
gers, measurers or markers, in any custom-house
Shall not be increased beyond the number then in
service. That restriction, evidently intended for
economy, has turned out 10 be the reverse
The allowance TO inspectors of three dollars per
day whilst actually employed in aid Of the Gus
toms, sinks into litlleness when compared with
the sum ofduties evaded by smuggling, and with
The delays in discharging cargoes. The pressing
demands for additional inspectors TO guard certain
points used By smugglers and for assisting in ia
king charge Of vessels in the busy season, urged
by collectors at some Of the ports, could not be
granted, because of that prohibition. The repeal
Of that section far it relates to The inspectors
Of the customs is most pectfully recommended
The accompanying statement A shows the deb,
of the u States as il existed on the lst July, in the
year 1914.
The statement B shows the debt as ii existed on
the Isl December, 1874.
The statement c shows the receipts and expen-
ditures during The fiscal year commencing lst
| july 1913 and ending on the Both June 1914
leaving balance in the Treasury on the lst July,
1874, of s7,e57379 81.
The statement D shows the receipts and ex-
pendures during The ist quarter of the fiscal
year commencing Isl July, 1914, and ending Both
September, 1914 the receipts from customs du-
ring that quarter, l0S73 rs dollars and four cents
from The sale of public lands 434, 902 dollars and
six cents; from miscellaneous and incidental
sources, 1889 dollars and sixteen cents; total Of