Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11

low hat the outieS On all dIucIeS should be at the
same, or horizontal rate. Some articles will
bear much higher revenue duty than others
Below the maximum of the revenue standard
Congress may and ought TO discriminate i'm the
rates imposed, taking care SO to adjust them On
different articles as TO produce in the aggregate
The amount which, when added to the proceeds
of'sales of public lands, may be needed TO paw
'ha economical expenses Of the government.
In leyying tariff Of duties, Congress exer-
else the taxing power; and for purposes of reve-
nue. may select the objects Of taxation. Thew
may exempt certain articles altogether, and per-
nit their importation free Of duty. On others
they may impose low duties. In these classes
should be embraced such articles of necessity
as are in general use, and especially such as are
consumed by the laborer and the poor, as well as
by the wealthy citizen. Care should be taken
that all the great interests of the country, incu-
ding manufactures, agriculture, commerce, nav-
cation, and the mechanic arts, should, as far as
may be practicable, derive equal advantages from
the incidental protection which a Just system Of
revenue duties may afford. Taxation, direct or
indirect, is burden, and it should be so imposed
as to operate as equally as may be, on all classes,
In the proportion Of their ability TO bear it. To
make the taxing power an actual benefit to one
class, necessarily increases the burden Of the o.
theirs beyond their proportion, and would be man
itesily unjust. The terms "protecon to domes-
tic industry are of popular import; but they
should apply under just system to all the va
rlous branches of industry in our country. The
farmer or planter who tolls yearly in his fields,
Is engaged in domestic industry" and is as
much entitled TO have his labor .'protected," as
The manufacturer, the man of commerce, the ma
vlgator, or the mechanic, who are engaged also
in domestic indastry," in their different pursuits
The joint labors OF all these classes constitute
the aggregate of the domestic Industry of the
nation, and they are equally entitled to the na.
IONS protection" No one of them can Justly
claim to De the exclusive recipient Of ''protec-
tion," which can only be afforded by increasing
burdens on The domestic industry" of the others.
III these views be correct, it remains to inquire
how lar the tariff act of 1919 is consistent with
them. That many of tho provisions of that
act are In violation of thecardinal principles here
laid down, all must concede. The tates of duty
Imposed by 1t on some articles are .prohbtory;
and ON others so high as greatlyto diminish inn
portations, and to produce less amount of reve-
nue. than would be derived from lower rates.
They operate as "protection merely" to one
branch OF domestic industry" by taxing other
| branches.
by the introduction of mnimums, or assumed and
false values and by the imposition Of specific duties the
injustice and inequality of the act of 1872 in its practi-
cal operations on different classes and pursuits,
and tclt Many Of the oppressive duties imposed by
under the operation of these principles range from
are ProhiOory on some articles, and partially so
Tiers, aud bear most heavily articles Of
ccssy and but lightly on articles of luxury. 1t is
framed that much the greatest burden which il imposes
thrown on labor and the poorer classes who least
able to bear il, while it protects capital and cxcmpts
,ne rcn from paying their just proportion of the taxa
ZION required Tor the support Of government. While it
protects the capital OF the wealthy manufacturer and
increases his profits, il does not benefit the operatives
or iaborcrs in his employment whose wages have not
been increased by it, Articles of prime necessity or of
coarse quality and low price, used by the masses Of
inc people, arc, in many instances, subjected by it
hca'y taxes, while articles of finer quality and higher
price, or OF luxury which be used only by the OPP
oicnt, are lightly taxed 1t imposes heavy and unjust
burdens on hc farmer the planter the rcal man,
ana tose OF all other pursuits except the capitalist who
nas maze his investments in manufactures. All the
great interests Of the country nearly US may
| be practicable equally protected by it,
The government in theory knows nc distinction of
persons or classes, and should not besow upon M
vors aud privileges which all others may enjoy. 1t
was the purpose of its usrious founders to base the
insuteuoHS which they reared upon the great and
cngng principles of justice and equity, conscious that
II administered in tho spirit in which they
ceNed they would be felt only by the benefits which
they utilised, and would for themselves de-
fence IN the hearts Of the people, powerful than
Standing armies and all the means and appliances in
vented TO sustain governments founded in injustice and
oppression Pr
The well known fact that the tariff act of 1912 was
passed ny majority OF one vote in the Senate and
hthe House OF Representatives, and that of those
VINO iel themselves constrained under the peculiar cir
cumstances existing at the time, its favor,
proclaimed ats defects, and expressed their determine
ton to aid in its modification ON the first opportunity
ords strong and conclusive evidence that 1t not
intended TO be permanent and of the expcdicncy and
necessity OF It's thorough revision.
recommending to Congress reduction of the pre-
sent rates OF duty and revision and modification of the
act OF 1872 am far from entertaining opinions unircnd
~ to the manufacturers On the contrary, desire to
see them prosperous, far as they can be so, without
imposing unequal bnrdcns other interests The adj
vantage under any system of indirect taxation even
within the revenue standard, must be in favor of the
manufacturing interest; and of this no other interest
will complain.
recommend TO Congress the abolition of the mini
mum principle, or assumed, arbitrary and false values
ana oil SPECIFIC oucs and the substitution their place
OF ad yaoren duties, the fares and most equitable
indirect tax which be imposed. BY the ad yaorcm
principle, all articles are taxed according to their cost
or value, and those which of inferior quality
OF small cost bear only the just proportion Of the tax
with those which are OF superior quality greater
cost The articles consumed by all are taxed at the
same rate system of ad yalorcm revenue duties,
win proper determinations and proper guards against
frauds IN collecting them, it is not doubted, will afford
ample incidental advantage the manufacturers, and
chaoe the 10 derive as great profits can be derived
from any other regular business 1t believed that such
a system strictly within the revenue standard, will
pn"ce ,ne manufacturing interests on stable footing
ahd lhurc 10 their permanent advantage; while it will,
as nearly as may be practicable extend to all the great
interests OF Tho country the incidental protection which
can be afforded by our revenue laws Such a system,
when once firmly established, would be permanent,
ana not be subject to the constant complaints agtaon
ana changes which must occur when duties not
! favored interest.
In the deliberations of Congress the subject, it is
hoped that spirit of mutual concession and compromise
conflicting interests may prevail and that the
rest oil their labors may be crowned with the happl-
/ est consequences.
by the constitution of the United States it is provided,
that mo money shall be drawn from the treasury but in
consequences OF appropriations made by law. public
treasury was undoubtedly contemplated and intended TO
DC created in which the public money should be kept
nom 'e period oil collection until needed for public
uses In the collection and disbursement Of the public
money no agencies have ever been employed by law,
except such as were appointed by the government, di-
Iecty responsible TO 1T, and uuder its control The safe
keeping OF the public money should be confed to pub
TIC treasury created by law and under like responsibility