The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-30

ways, because he has not the power Of appoint
ing commissioners, This is absurd because
after all, the true question in Mr. McIane's case
was, whether he had the power Of circulating his
queries; and, therefore, whether he might appoint
commissioners for the purpose He could notprop-
erly have exercised the power Of appointing com
mission, unless he had the power of obtaining the
information. If Mr.. McLane were the Secretary Of
the Treasury now, he would undoubtedly say: 81
win collect the information il can, but cannot do
II by paid commissioners" Mr.. McLane had, with
these Circulars, to collect information about the
Of our commerce and manufactures Then, why
may not Mr.. Walker,
lfthe intelligencer argues that the enquiry was
legitimate, (in Mr.. McLanes case,) because author
lied and provided for by the revenue power-Con-
gress; then we reply, in the first place, that was
no more legitimate in his case than in MIR. Walkers;
and, secondly, that if other secretaries could enter
into the question of manufactures they do il,
as in Mr.. Hamton's long and able report, for the
purpose of protecting manufactures, why should not
the present Secretary so into tho subject to ascertain
how far the present tariff may be modified, for the
sake of revenuc-how far the present condition Of
domestic manufactures may affect the importation
Of goods, and the revenue upon them'
The question, whether the Secretary is an officer
of the Executive Of Congress- is frivolous and idle.
He is appointed by the Executive as the other
secretaries arc to administer one important branch
of the executive power; but he is also to report 10
Congress upon the finances. These finances de-
pend, so long the revenue is principally derived
<,r and
that, again, partly depends upon the actual pro-
spective condition Of our manufactures AS Secre-
tary ofthe Treasury, therefore, he must look into
the condition of the articles which taxation is TO
be levicd--wheher we consider him as an officer Of
the Executive, or an officer Of Congress. So far,
therefore, question fprnciple but matter Of
practice he is looking to the condition Of the manu-
featuring SYSTEM other secretaries have done be-
fore him.
If anything could justify him in SO doing-or
rather make his dutyit the present law of 1912
We well know the circumstances under which that
law was passed. 1t was passed in the midst Of vi
oent struggle for some means of raising revenue to
assist exhausted treasury. It was passed in the
last moments of the session. II satisfied very few
who voted for it. Many who voted for it, declared
i
that they did SO 1t from necessity--to raise money
for suffering treasury Many declared their de-
termination to modify the system, and obtain bet.
ter tariff, at some more fitting opportunity. This
duty has not yet been performed All its obnoxious
features reman--its minimum principle--its pro-
hibtory featurcs-its specific dutics-ls oppressive
exactons upon one class Of the community and up
on one section Of the country, to the advantage Of
other classes and other sections. The present admin
istration came in under the pledges OF the Baltimore
convention to reform the system. If ever Secrc.
tary then, stood excused for revising the revenue
features Of the tariff, this is peculiarly the at
present. when the tariff of 1912 remains with all
the conditions which, in the heat of its passage, were
originally infused into il.
We hold it, therefore, TO be certain that the Sec
rotary has the right to send out his circulars col
lect facts to lay before Congress. But we admit
that he cannot under the present prohibitory
ment, erpend money in establishing commission 10
summon witnesses aud take their testimony He must
obtain the information by applying to Individuals
let them be both wings and democrats. Let both
be made witnesses. Let the truth be told, and let
Justice be done TO the revenue and the people.