Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-04-25

vas modified and reduced, Great Britain |
would have TO ray the United States cash for
heir cotton, instead Of paying in goods MS she
ormerly had done; and this bill accordingly |
nodliies and reduces the Tariff of 1912 to
suit the wishes Of the British Chancellor, !
who, while he recommends free trade and
low duties to us, takes special care To- adhere
10 ms own prohibilory system. While this
bill proposes greatly TO reduce the duties on
foreign distilled spirits, England exacts duty
OF 2,7OO per cent. OH ours and this is rect
procHy! This bill reduces the duties on to-
bacco and its manufactures, while England
demands 1900 per cent on ours, and actually
collects % million dollars of revenue annual
ly from our tobacco, equal to the whole re-
venue OF this Government-such is British
reciprocity and free trade. Since the Tariff
OF 1912, the tables with England have been
turned last year the balance Of trade with
Great Britain exceeded $13,O00,O00 in our ia
vor, instead of being about that amount against
us, as in former years. The imports of spe-
Gle had in the last year reached the unprece-
depted amount, as appears by official reports.
OF more than 23 millions OF dollars, most of
il from Great Britain. No wonder England
and her statesmen were anxious for the reduc-
ton of the American Wing Tariff of '42. No
wonder her Chancellor exclams against the
Tariff, and says il will oblige them to send
us specie instead Of goods hereafter TO pay
Tor cotton. No wonder our country is rapid
ly recovering from its late depression-that
its course is again onward and upward-,hat
Its former prosperity is returning-a prosper
ity it always had and always would have UNI
der an efficient protective system, but which
1t never had and never would have without il.
No wonder specie had become abundant
that the banks had resumed-that exchanges
had become equaized and interest reduced
that manufactures had revived-that agricul-
ture was recovering-that the mechanic and
every other branch Of the national industry
was fully and pro6,ably employed. All these
were the necessary and undeniablc fruits o
'he existing tariff policy-results seen, felt
ana acknowledged throughout the land-yet
! IN the face of all these facts-shut,ing thei,
eyes to these great lights blazing up before
them-the Committee Of Ways and Means
have reported bill to repeal this beneficial
act Of 1912, and bring us back to the lo,o du
ties and the loU condition of 1910. The,
have struck death blow at this policy
policy which had vindicated its adoption b,
all It's fruits, which had fulfilled all the hone,
OF ITS friends, and falsified all the prediction.
OF It's enemies but shall this blow avail
them No, sir, it will recoil and overwbeln
It's authors.-The people who have experience
ed the benefits and the blessings of this mea.
sure, will not abandon it, Even its eneme,
are now disposed TO give it fair and full trial
and condemn it only when it fails. Their
why not, sir, wait till the people have an Cd.
portunity TO pass upon this question at tho
approaching elections? They will then settle
1t one way or the other. If the enemies Of
the tariff policy prevail, they can and will re.
peal it; but if you repeal it now, and lis
friends are successful, it will he Immediately
restored. Then why not let it abide this re-
suit Let ii go to the people, let them decide
1t, and, FOR one, sir, am prepared to acquiesce
In their decision. The committee deprecate
agitation; why not, then, let the matter
rest. Let the experiment be tried, and if it
fails, put it down.-Whence the urgent ne
cessitv of change; what interest in the
country calls for it; who has demanded it /;
who has petitioned for tins or any other
change! No one; but the Committee oil
ways and Means say we must have more re-
venue-more reUenue-and how do thew pro-
pose to raise it? BY reducing the duties
and this, my word for it, will result, as it al
ways has resulted, in a reduction of revenue
1t is the necessary and natural CONSEQUENCE.
This was once the opinion of the honorable
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means (Mr Mckay HIMSELF and as there is
now every prospect of redundant revenue,
should not be surprised if, before the bill is
disposed OF, it should be avowed as a measure
TO reduce the revenue, and this report be a.
mended by striking out the words "a bill TO
increase the revenues" and inserting the
words, ga bill to reduce the revenue.n I af-
firm 1t as fact, and here challenge conlradic-
tion, that the revenues of the country al
ways have been increased or diminished, as
we increased or diminished the duties on for
eIgn goods; and why will this not be the re-
suit now? (IIere Mr.. Mckay called Mr.
STEWART to order, and said it would be time
enough 10 discuss the Tariff when that mea-
sure came up for discussion)
Yes, said Mr. S., the gentleman has cot a
vote to print and circulate $4,000 copies of
his report-hls speech in favor of his bill
and no doubt he is anxious to suppress any
reply; but, sir, have accidentally got in be-
tween two previous questions, and wish TO
say little on the other side, and little il
will be when compared with the voluminous
report OF the Committee of Ways and Means,
which report, assure the gentleman, ] will
take pleasure in sending to my constituents.
who will readily comprehend and appreciate
It's DESTRUCTIVE doctrines. But the gentle
man tells me to 1cat ill the Tariff comes up
for discussion +; sir, this may neper happen !;
may no: the majority pass that bill, as they
are passing this important bill, under the pre-