Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-12-04

l[H1lic industry Of the u1ttp1s and they are
equally eniified % tie nation's = protection. -
No one Of thcm en- justly claim to be The en-
elusive recipients Of . protection which can
only Be a66sded b increasing burdens on ths
!. !. domestic industry" Of the others.
I II these views be correct. il remains 70 IN
quire how far the tariff act Of l842 4 consistent
with them, That many Of the provisions Of
that aet are IL violation Of the cardinal princi-
pies here laid down. al must concede The
rates Of duty imposed By L on some articles are
! pfohibtory, and On Others 80 high a. gre lily to
diminish importafions, and 70 produce less
Gmount ofsreyenue than would Be derived from
lower r9tes They operate al protection
merely 10 one branch Of = domestic industry, r
BIZ taxing other branches.
By the Introduction Of minimums, or as
sumed and false values. and By the imposition
Of specific duties, the injustice and inequalities
Of the ACT Of iSi3, in is practical operations
on different classes and pursuits, are seen and
felt. Many Of the oppressive duties imposed By
It under the operation Of these principles, range
from one per cent. to more than two hundred
per cent. They are prohihitory on some arti-
cles, and partially 30 on others, and bear mo4
heavily on Articles Of common necessity, and
but lightly on articles Of luxury. Il is 50
framed that much the greatest burden which II
imposes Is thrown on labor and the poorer class
e. whoare least able 10 bear il, while il pro
tects capital and exempts the rich from paying
their just proportion Of the taxation required
for the support OF government While il pro-
tects the capital Of the wealthy manufacturer,
and increases his profits, il does not benefit the
operatives or laborers in his employment, whose
wages have not been increased BY il. Arti.
cles OF prime necessity or Of coarse quality ard
low price, used by the massesSof the people,
are, in many instances, subjected by tito heavy
1 taxes, while articles OF finer Quality and higher
price, or Of luxury, which can be used only by
]. the apuleut are lightly taxed. ltimposes heavy
and unjust burdens on the farmer, the planter,
the commercial man, and those OF all other pur-
suits except the capitalist who has made his
investments in manufactures. All the great
interests of the country are not, as nearly IS
may be practicable, equally protected by il.
The government in theory knowsno distinc-
ton Of persons or classes, and should not be-
stow upon some iavors and privileges which all
others may notenjoy. 1t was the purpose Of
its ilustrious founders TO base the institutions
4 which they reared upon the great and unchang-H
ing principles df Justice and equity, conscious
that if administered in the spirit in which they
were conceived, they would be felt only by the
for themselves adelence ia the heartsofthe peo-
!, pie, more powerful than: standing armies, and
] all the means and appliances invented to sus-
tain governments founded in injustice and op
preston
The we'll known fact that the tariff act Of
i843 was passed by majority Of one vote in
the Senate, and two the House Of Represen-
tatiyes, and that~some of those who felt them
selves constrained, under the peculiar circum-
stances existing at the lime to vote in its favor,
proclaimed lis defects, and expressed their de-
termination toad in its modification on the first
opportunity, Affords strong and conclusive evil
dence that il was not intended TO be permanent,
and Of the expcdiencY and necessity of its tho
rough revision.
RECOMMENDING 70 Congress- reduction OF
the present rates Of duty, and 4 revision and
modification of the act OF 1912, / am far from
entertaining opinions unfriendly 10 the manu-
facturers, On the contrary. desire 10 see
item prosperous, as far as they can be so;with:
out imposing unequal burdens on other inter
ests. The advantage under any system OF in
direct taxation, ever within the revenue stand
ard. nustbe in Jafor Of the manufacturing in
terest and Of this no other interest viii com.
plain. III
/ recommend 10 Congressthe abolition ofthe
minimum principle, or assumed arbitrary, and
false values, and of specific duties, aud the sub,
stitu,ion in their place ofiai ra'Qrem duties, as
the hircst and most equitable indirect tax
which can be imposed by the al raIoresR
principle, all articles arc taxed according To
their cost OF value, aud those which are of in
fefior qnaliiy, or of small cost, bear only the
just proportion Of the tax wifi those Which are
OF superior quality or greater cost: The arti.
Gle. consumed BY all are taxed at the same
rate. system Of al ratorem revenue duties.
with proper Determinations and proper guards
against frauds in collecting them, no doubt,
win afford ample incidental advantages TO
the manufacturers, and enable them to derive
as great profit as cen be derived fromSany regu
{ lar other business II is believed that such
system strictly within the revenue standard,
Twill place the manufacturing interests on a
ystable footing, and fnure to their permanent
advantage; while il will, as nearly as may be
practicable, extend to all the great interests Of
I the country the incidental protection which can
! be afforded by our revenue laws Such sys-
TEN, when once firmly established, would be-
permanent aud not be subject to the constant
complaints, agitations and changes, which must
ever occur, when duties are not laid for reve
hue but for Interpretation merely Of favored
interest. y,
In the deliberations OF Congress on THIS sub
iect, il is hopedthat a spirit OF mutual conces-
sion and compromise between conflicting inter-
csts may prevail, and that the result of their
labors may be crowned with tho happiest con.
sequences
ByAhe consultation OF the United States il is
provided that mo money shall be drawn from
The treasury bot in consequence Of appropria-
tons made 6y laws" A public treasury was
undoubtedly contemplated and intended 70 be
created, ia WHICH the public money shonid be
kept from the period Of collection until needed
for public uses. In tie collection and dis
burscment Of the public money no agencies
have ever heenl employed by law, except such
as were appaiuted BY the government, directly
responsible to il, and under its controi. The
safe keeping OF the public money should be
eon6ded to. public treasury created by law,
and under like responsibility and control It's
not to be imagSnsd that the fraineis OF the
constitution could have intended that at-easu-
~ should be created as place ofdeposite and
saiekeeping Of The public money which was ir-
rssponsibeio the government. The first Con
gress under the constitution, by act Of the sec
0nd September, 1889. sio establish the Trea-
RVpepaJ,ment," provided for the appoint
men, 81 : treasurer, and made il his duty TO re-
ueivs and keep the moneys Of the United
states" and @at all times to submit to the Sec
getary Of the Treasury and the Comptroller, or I
either Of them, the inspection of the moneys in