American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-03

cleS arc pFombltory, and on others ~ high as
10 greatly diminish imPoItatons, and to pro-
dnce less amount of revenue thun 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 minmums or assum-
Cd and false values, and by the imposition OF
SPECIFIC duties, the injustice and inequality OF
thc act OF 1912, in its practical operations on
dliiercnt classes and pursuits, are seen and felt.
Many OF the oppressive duties imposed by il
under the operation of these principles, range
from one per cent to more than 100 per cent.
They are prohibtoty on some articles, and par
TALLY SO on others, aud bear most hepyly on
articles OF common necessity, and but lightly
on articles Of luxury. 1t is so framed that
much the greatest burden which it imposes is
thrown on labor and the poorer classes who are
least able TO bear it, while it protects capital
and eXempts the rich from paying their just
proportion of the taxation required for the sup
port of government. While it protects the
capital OF the wealthy manufacturer, and in
creases his profits, it does not benefit the ope.
tatives or laborers in his employment, whose
wages have not been increased by it. Arti.
cles Of prime necessity or of coarse quality and
low price, used by the masses of the people
are, in many instances, subjected by it to heavy
taxes, while articles of finer quality and higher
price, or of luxury, which can be used only by
the opulent, are lightly taxed. 1t imposes
heavy and unjust burdens on the farmer, the
planter, the commercial man, and those of all
other pursuits except the capitalist who has
made his investments in manufactures. All
the great interests of the country are not, as
nearly as may be practicable, equally protect
ed by it.
The government in theory knows no distinc-
ton of persons or classes and should not be-
stow upon some favors and privileges which all
Others may not enjoy. 1t was the purpose OF
its illustrous founders to base the institutions
which they reared upon the great and unchang-
ing principles Of justice and equity, conscious
that if administered in the spirit in which they
were conceived, they would be felt only by the
benefits which they difiused, and would secure
for themselves a defence in the hearts of the
people, more powerful than standing armies,
and all the means and appliances invented TO
sustain governments founded in injustice and
oppression.
The well known fact that the tariff of 1912
was passed by majority Of one vote in the
Senate, and two in the House of Representa-
tves, and that some of those who felt them
selves constrained, under the peculiar circum-
stances existing at the time, to vote in its ia
vor, proclaimed its defects, and expressed their
determination to aid in its modification on the
first opportunity, affords strong and conclusive
evidence that It was not intended 10 be perma-
nent, and of the expectancy and necessity of its
thorough revision.
In recommending TO Congress reduction of
3 hn nf Aptx nd 4
modification of the act of lS42, am far from
entertaining opinions unfriendly to the manu-
iacturers. On the contrary, desire to see them
prosperous, as far as thoy can be SO, without
imposing unequal burdens on other interests
The advantage under any system Of indirect
taxation, even within the revenue standard,
must DO in favor Of the manufacturing interest;
and of this no other interest will complain.
recommend to Congress the abolition of the
minimum principle, or assumed, arbitrary, and
false values, and Of specific duties, and the sub
sttuton in their place of adj palorem duties, as
the fairest and most equitable indirect tax that
can be imposed. By the ad ualorem principle,
all articles are taxed according to their cost or
value, and those which are OF inferior quality,
or of small cLst, bear only the Just proportion
of the tax with those which are of superior
quality or greater cost. The articles consumed
by all are taxed at tho same rate. A system of
ad raiorem revenue duties, with proper dscrlm.
nations and proper guards against frauds in col
lectlng them, 1t is not doubted will afford am
pie incidental advantages TO the manufacturers
and enable them to derive as great profits as can
be derived from any other regular business. 1t
is believed that such system, strictly within
the revenue standard, will place the manufac-
turing interests on a stable footing, and nure
TO their permanent advantage while it will, as
nearly as may be practicable, extend to all the
great interests of the country the incidental
protection which can be afforded by our reve-
nue. laws. Such a system, when once firmly
established, would be permanent, and not be
subject to the constant complaints, agitatisns,
and changes, which must ever occur when du-
ties are not laid for revenue, but for the spro-
lection merely" of favored interest.
In the deliberations of Congress on this SUBJ
ject, it is hoped that spirit of mutual conces-
sion aud compromise between conflicting inte-
rests may prevail, and that the result of their
labors may be crowned with tho happiest con-
sequences.
BY tho constitution of the u. States it is pro-
yided that "no money shall be drawn from the
treasury edt In consequence OF appropriations
made by law" A public treasury was undoubt-
eddy contemplated and intended to no created,
in which tho public money should DO kept from
the period of collection until needed for public
uses. In the collection and disbursement of the
public money no agencies have ever been en-
ployed by law, except such as were appointed
by the government, directly responsible to it,
and under its control. The safe keeping of the
public money should be confded to a public
treasury created by law, and under like respon-
sibility and control 1t is not to be imagined
that the trainers of tho constitution could have
intended that treasury should be created as
place of deposite and safe-keeping of the pub
lie money which was irresponsible to the gov
eminent. The first Congress under the consti-
tuition, by the act of the cd Sept 1889, "to
establish the Treasury Department. provided
for the appointment of a treasurer, and made it