The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-22

6 The friends Of the bill voted against taking up at
this time because the object Of the to refer it
back to the Committee OF Ways and Means with nstruc.
tons incorporate with provision for the sale If the
main line; is deemed advisable to let each PROPOSE
ton stand alone upon its own merits
RECEIPTS WEsrERr RAILROAD FOR WEEc
ENDING MARCH l6
1874 lsl3
Passengers. $3.50 5000
Freight Sc. ................... 3635 2.4sl
Total 5000 $3.50
We have received and shall publish the report of the
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. introduce
ing the tariff act into the House OF Representatives II
is well worth careful perusal; and the ulras of both
parties will find many strong arguments there laid down
in favor Of a medium policy az regards this important
feature in the administration of the government The
principal object the committee have had in view, suf
cient rev enue The second has been the adoption of
scale of duties that would, far possible suit all ine
rests and ensure the permanency of the act when
settled 1t is considered by majority OF the
mittee of Ways and Means that the constitution intend
ed the to carry the different branches of the
government should be derived exclusively from
toms; and their have been directed to that end in
maturing the bill before Congress- The receipts
into the United States Treasury, from public lands
used deray current expenses far the amount will
go but far possible that Of the govern
ment is recommended by the committee to be care.
fully husbanded in the event Of external troubles
cutting of the receipts from customs This is a safe and
proper conclusion The only revenue OF government in
of war is the public lands The views OF the COM
mttee in relation to the advantages Of permanency
in all the movements of Congress touching COM
rnercal matters, cannot but be responded to by all
classes and by all parties. It is the adoption Of
extreme rates Of duties that produces the constant
demand for change Either extreme would create the
s,e dissatisfaction The tariff act will not rest safe,
solid foundation until both parties willing to sacrifice
little prejudice for the good Of the whole The ultras
Of the free trade and the high protective parties, should
seek discover some middle course, each abating little
oftheir rancour for peaceabe settlement of this agated
and hucuating Every interest in the country
ynjured by the constant changes going on in this law
is impossible for any to make safe calculations far
into fuury. when this question is on the taps,
when is not beyond the reach of political thinkers for
stated time. The commercial classes say We are not
particular what policy you adopt in your legisaio
affairs, but let know what may expect from
time to time We do not what laws you make, pro-
vded depend upon their stability All we ask IL
to be letalone." This is the great stumbling block In
forming tariff Of duties, there are three important things
TO he considered insure its permanency The first il
to meet the wants Of government as regards reve.
nue. This is the first object Of the law The second il
equaze the scale to favor much possible all
parties and the third the establishment Of period for it
to remain unaterable 1t is of the difficult laws
perfect brought before Legislative body, in
sequence of the many interests to sustain and the many
preudices to encounter To make it just, it must be
equal The committee that presented the proposed BILL
report that reduction Of duties is necessary
quence OF the deficiency in the revenue arising from the
present act They argue that reduced rate will increase
imports and enlarge the receipts into the Treasury is
impossible to anticipate any effect upon any particular
system as there many things that influence the
40 of Nh nd inipO
ion Of the domestic affairs OF the country generally
and that Of the currency ia particular, exert wonderful
influence foreign trade. Notwithstanding this
established fact for the purpose of revenue and for the
purpose soothing all these differences that divide the
parties is necessary to adopt tariff on basis ex
ling equal favors and restrictions to ALL Public OPT
mon has, within few years. undergone very great
change on the subject OF protection. MIR. Clay is lar
more liberal than the party represents in his views on
this subject The annexed extracts from letters recently
written by this distinguished advocate Of protection
win give many for gvayng their opinions by
his -
1T is remark able" says Mr.. Clay in letter written
to Mr. sieriwether OF Georgia, last October that my
exertions in Congress nce 1929 have been directed TO
the reduction and moderation Ut tariffs In speaking OF
present tariff he remarks -" should have preferred
ha the compromise III all Its parta, Including the nome
valuation, could have been adhered to-"
Again -" never was in favor Of what regard ." high
tariff"
a letter. written about the same time to another
Georgian, Bronson, who asked for information, Mr.
The and substance Of what conceive to be ths
true policy Of the United States in respect to tariff
| be briefly stated In conformity with the principle
nounced in the compromise act think that whatever
necessary to economical and honest admins
traen of the General Government ought to be derived
from duties imposed on foreign imports And believe
that iii tariff OF those duties such disGrim-
nation ought TO be made Will ncdenty afford Ieasona
bic protection TO our national interests.
81 think there is 10 danger OF high tariff being
established that vi 1928 eminentiy deserving that
did aot vote for It, but with its history and with the CIR
cumstances winch guve birth to it well acquainted
They were highly dscrediabe to American Legislation
and hope for its honor, will be again repeated
My opinion that there danger hereafter OF high
tariff founded ON the gratifying TACT that maDuac
tuies have taken deep root Ia their infancy they
needed greater ol protection but they grow
and they require strength and stability and con-
sequeny will acquire less protection Even now, some
branches of them are able distant markets.
successful competition with rival foreign manufactures"
This exhibits Improvement in the political opin.
ions Of this gentleman this subject IL two thirds Of
the political leaders in the country would come forth as
boldly with their present opinions, they would DO found
to.correspond much better than now appears possible
The proposed bill the Misrepresentation Of any
possessing principles similar to those promulgated in
the above extracts. When MIR. Clay agreed to the
promise Of 1884, and carried through both branches
Congress- he have supposed that the average rate
duty the expiration OF that act would have been su
cen to produce revenue for government large enough
keen out Of debt and to have afforded all the incidental
protection manufactures might at that period require
We srgae that his opinions must have been somewhat
similar to what stated, from the fact that the compro
mise act gradually reduced the duties from very high
rate to the lowest average demanded by the ultra
free trade advocates in the country Mr. Clay says ho
not in Congress when the present tariff became
law, which amounts to much saying he does not
consider himself responsible for Its principal features
In june lsa the average duty dutisble imports
twenty per cent In September OF the year the pre-
sent tariff took effect Immediately. raising the average
rate Of duty to thrtysx per cent rise of seventyfve
cent on the former average The proposed tariff re-
duces the average duty thirty per cent in five months