Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-07
THE ENQUIRER.
Monday Morning. january 6. 1915.
The Dangers Of Proyaainaion-Asan.

Monday Morning. January 6. Is45.
The Dangers Of Proeraaination-Asain!
If we were 10 believe most OF the thousand
and one rumors which reach us from Washing
ton, We should not entertain very sanguinc hope
OF the results Of the present session OF Congress.
Most of the Wing scribblers even ridicnle the
prospect OF Annexation, or The reduction Of the
Tariff But the strongest considerations are OPP
posed 10 this miserable policy Of delay. The
country demands relief from the present oppres-
sve Tariff The manufacturers themselves de-
mand S1biifY in the imposition of duties. The
present Tariff cannot continue. The South will
never acoliesce in il. Is il not wiser, then, 10 re-
gulale il at once, and TINS avoid those agilaions
which VIC are otherwise destined TO witness! Let
some liberal system be adopted al once, which
shall certainly but gradually relieve us from the
oppreSsions OF The Tariff, and we are willing to
meet our Republican brethren in other quarters
in the most conciliatory spiril.-We equally de-
precatc all representation in the acquisition OF
Texas We are onlysatisfied by longer time and
greater reflection that Immediate Annexation IS
our true policy. (Our last accounts from Wash
ington are OF the most cheering character. We
understand. upon good authority, that the Repub-
lcan Caucus have agreed upon the question oil
Annexation by majority OF 80 odd-and that,
in case il passes the House BY a respectable ma
iori,y, there is a favorable prospect OF its passing
the Senate. Ii is said Col Benton will obey the
instructions OF the Legislature of Missouri }
But why is mol all the Republican press doinS
lis duty on these great questions Why are they
not ali making their boldest appeals 10 Congress ;
We earnestly request them all 10 speak out and
urge an immediate settlement OF these two i'm
porlant subjects.
THE TARIFF.
The following letter from an able member OF
the House Of Representatives suggests scheme
OF reduction OF the present Tariff, in which we
most cordially concur. For our own parts, We
are perfectly willing TO adopt the following ele-
mcn,s in the adjustment Of the question.
Isl. We should return 10 the principles Of The
Compromise Act Of '33. The public faith is
solemnly pledged 10 it, and the only excuse Tor
any deviation from it, is 10 BE- found IN The Noes
sin of raising the necessary funds for lie support
of the Government.
2. The present duties are more than sufficient
for economical expenses, and, therefore, they may
be materially reduced.
81. The reduction NAV be gradually and pc
riodcally efIecled-but differing from the pro-
visions of the Compromise Act in tbs that the
reduction may be spread over a smaller period,
and take place at shorter periods.
4th. Abolish, al all events, the m.linlugt ;rin-
ciple and specific duties and adopt in lieu Of them
The Gd rai0rem standard.
9Th. Let us thus gradually return 10 The Com
promise rales-that IS 10 say, the twenty per cert.
as the maximum, and then discriminating under
that rate upon different articles for revenue pur-
poses. These Determinations whilst they were
adopted for revenue, would incidentally p.o,ec,
domestic manufactures.
9th. We would most cheerfuly ADOPT the bill
from the Committee OF Ways and Means re-
ported at the last session-and we should engratt
upon this bill such provisions as are calculated 10
bring us gradually 10 the principles OF the Com
promise Act-wilh such Determinations under
the ultimate maximum, as might be best calcula-
ted 10 establish wise financial system for The
support Of an economical Government
We do not. therefore, recommend an abstract
Utopia of Free Trade We should raise a .uth-
cient revenue by duties, along with The land mo-
new and those duties should never exceed what is
required for the expenses OF the Government,
economically administered
With these hasiy hints, we now beg leave 10 in
troduce the following Suggestions from member
Of Congress TO which We have already referred
EXTRACT Of a litter from Washington.
"There is some prospect OF our being able 10
move on the Tariff this winter. Preparatory 10
taking any steps, We must, however. under
stand each other. Our principles we must adhere
10. Butte give them success and permanencv
sound policy should be exercised, and nothing ia
more conducive 10 that end, than free and libe
raj and courteous interchange OF views with each
other, together with d becoming respect Tor the
feelings and interests of the community at large
The protective policy is To be abandoned. In lis
stead the rerenuc Tariff system is 10 be introduced
But what are the revenue rats oil duty? They
are not fixed or arbitrary. The Compromise
bill indicates horizontal tariff uf 20 per cent
oil nd fbnI nj, nj ,lptV ,,,rI, md
all articles or shall we hold 20 per cent. as the
nlaninun, and regulate The duty vndcr it, with
a view OF inviting the 'arycd quantum OF i'm
ports into The country, fixing The DUTY al the same
time at such rate aS Will insure the largest
amount OF rcrcnue which i; may be deemed pro-
per to raise from each and every article? Thus
The great bulk of the articles imported might, fol
instance, stand at 30 per cent, while others
might range at from Is IL 10 and 5 per cent.
This, by judicions and proper dimiaut'om OF the
free list, might be made 10 include taxable base
OF importations sufficient 10 raise adequate reve-
nne for all the legitimate ends OF Government
Nor should the fact be lost sight Of, that rcdun-
dant revenue is hostile 10 reform Of government.
tai extravagances. The taxing power being
therefore, sparngy exercised begels irngaliiy and
economy in the administration Of the Government
Then as it is clear that corruption, prohisacy
tavortism, fraud and love Of the spoils live and
fa,ten on the abuse of the taxing power engender-
ing host of Interests depending upon oppres-
sion and unns, Legislators which in turn debauch
and enslave the people, we find in these consi-
derations additional reasons for pursuing rigidIy
and infexibly the path Of duty, and absiainins
from the exercise Of those legislative powers
which, if carelessly, sefshly or corruptly persist
ed in, must corrupt degrade, and reroulionize oar
Government, and terminate in The elevation of
monarch over the ruins Of our Republic. Be-
sides. the Compromise bill was great lcgsla-
tive act passed under most imposing circunl-
stances, and has been since confirmed by the
voice Of the country. It should therefore, be
fairly carried into practice. AS money is pow
err the Democrats should he careful how they
strengthen The arm of the Federal Government
For. what may not a Government do win an
overlooking Treasury? Why should we be 50
eager 10 war against United States Bank, In
tcrnal improvements by the Federal Government
Distribution, and all other forms of assuming the
State debts, &C., &C., if we are 10 be cajoled by
this or the other protective tariff consideration
into the passage Of high and oppressive tax
bil2 The protective tariff is confessedy the lbs.
plank upon which Federalism stands. With
that strong foothold swept from under the Wing
party, they would sink amidst the deep waves
Of oblivion never 10 appear again. But accord
10 them 'protcetiSa,' and you forthwith give them
shelter, and platiormupon which in after-times
they may resuscitate all that is odious in Fede-
ralism.
"In conversation with most. distinguished
Statesman Of the South, il was suggested BY him,
that in adjusting the Tariffdue regard should be
had to the interest ofthe manufacturers and others
and that the ncac bill should graduate the reduc-
lions, so as to come down BY degrees TO the stan
dard agreed upon under the new b-making the
compromise bill of 20 per cent the marinium-
say bill passed this winter should reduce the e1-
listing duties pro rata every six months till the de-
sired reduction was attained But that final re-
duction should occur some months before our
new Presidents term expired. This would allow
time for all the great interests of The country pro-
perly to meet the policy of the Democratic party.
at has been suggested, whether Gen. McKays
bill ofthe last session with all proper alterations
would not meet The views of our friends in Vir-
=. IL ~ f.. 4.