The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-20

Duties. as4a aso,eSi 1850
These returns show increase in the value of mer
chandise imported of S55l ASH equal to about
per cent? while the increase in the amount Of duties has
only been about twentyone per cent This difference
in the increase OF imports and increase duties can
BIO attributed to the falling off in the Importation of
goods paying very high rate Of duty and shows that
the average rate of duty under tho present tariff act
becoming gradually reduced The Secretary of the
Treasury, in his recent report audes to this annual
reduction in the average rate OF duty but draws
illusions from the fact to show the ultimate effect of
this reduction upon the revenue from imports Since
the present tariff has been in force "a little than
three years. there has been decrease in the average
rate OF duty upon imports of about six per cent Accord
ing TO the recent report of the Secretary OF the Treasury
the average rate OF duty upon imports for the year
ending June 80, 1896 fraction above twsntynine
per cent. This year, according to returus far &c.
ceved the decrease is likely to be large in any
previous one, and the average will in that be about
twentyeght per cent This reduction in the average
of duty, in connection with the reduced importation,
must have very material effect upon the reve-
nue. from customs, and reduce it below the cur
rent expenditures. II will be very difficult thing
to reconcile all these important matters, in adjusting
new tariff There is doubt but that the tariff
would ultimately regulate itself At the rate of de-
realized within the past three years. in the
ent act would not be above twenty three per cent This
would bring the standard nearly down to the
point required by the administration, without going
through with the labor of perfecting and passing
act, or of modifying the old
The complexion of foreign affairs at present. is
gloomy, that it is possible Congress may appropriate
large part of the surplus to the ction
of Notifications and deences in the event Of which it
becomts matter Of much doubt whether the presen'
toc;T ln-~
The increased and additional expenses Of the govern
ment will require larger revenue than usual and il
will require than ordinary revenue tariff to pro-
the additional amount There will all events be
nothing done in the matter until late in the session
until our foreign relations quiet state,
and position with Great Britain is clearly de-
fined Itwoud be very judcious thing to expend the
whole OF surplus in building Notifications
and in increasing steam navy, if the expenditure
could then cease il would distribute an immense
amount of money through the country, do away with
the fears and anxeties of the banks relation to the
disposal of the government deposits and give the admin
stration gorions opportunity to carry into operation
the SubTreasury. The tariff could then be modified il
necessary to the current expenditures of the gov
eminent, the surplus would be out of the way and
the annual expenses although increased could be bet
ter defined. The first object of the party in power
should be to rid Of the surplus that has caused
much financial difficulty and will continue to embarrass
the banks, and all those depending upon them in the
slightest degree, long the government has dollar
to deposit in any bank.
Some doubts have recently been expressed in relation
to the payment Of the semiannual interest the debt
of Pennsylvania due the first of February; but the
statements that have emanated from the Treasury De-
partment of the State confirm the belief have always
entertained, that the semiannual payment will be met
promptly The State Treasurer issued his circular on
the 9th inst at which time he had available funds the
Treasury to the amount Of S3si7s6 90. During the
FIRST twelve days of the present month he has received
over and above all expenditures, upwards of $4,000
A considerable sum will be (as is always the CASEY
brought in from the North and West by the mem
bers of the Legislature on the first Of January
There is now due from the city and county of Phila
delpha S243792 H. all of which will unquestonasly be
paid about the first Of January There also due from
the rich counties of Lancaster Bucks and Norhamp-
ton further OF 100000, which will also be paid,
W thout fail The above alone, will place in the
Treasury $500 o0o and the remaining $4,000 will
be received from Collectors the public works, the
smaller counties and great variety of other sources.
We annex a statement showing the receipts and cx.
pendtures Of the Treasury Of Pennsylvania from Dec
list, 1884, TO Dec. LIST, ls45.
OF observation-disclosures AND ExPrsprTuErs