American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-05

IL tue question is asked, VINO shall begin this
work of reciprocal reduction? it is answered
by the fact, that England has already abated
her duties upon most of our exports She ha s
repealed the duty upon cotton, and greatly re-
duced the tariff upon our breadstuffs, provs-
slons, and other articles; and her present bad
harvest, accompanied by a reduction of our ia
Tiff, would lead to the repeal of her corn laws,
and the unrestricted admission, al all times of
our agricultural products"
The report goes on to state that the manu-
featuring interest is opposed to reciprocal free
trade with foreign nations, and instances
the rejection of the Zoll.Verein treaty and
their support of a prohibitory tariff, which, it
Is alleged, is double benefit to the manufac-
turer, and double loss TO the farmerand plan
ter-a benefit to the former, in nearly mo-
nopoly of the home market, and in enhanced
prices of tEeir fabrics; and loss to the latter,
in the payment of those high prices, and in to-
tai or partial exclusion from the fereign mar
ket. The report adds: The number of manu-
featuring capitalists who derive the benefit
from the heavy taxes extracted by the tariff
from twenty millions of people, does not exceed
ten thousand. The whole number (incudlng
the working classes engaged in our manufac-
tures) deriving any benefit from the tariff, does
not exceed 100000, of whom not more than
40, 900 have been brought into this pursuit by !
the last tariff, But this small number 40 900 |
would still have been in the country, consum-
! ing our agricultural products; and in the at |
tempt to secure them as purchasers, so small in !
number, and not consuming one-helf the sup
ply OF many counties, the farmer and planter
are asked no sacrifice the markets of the world,
containing population of eight hundred mil
lions, disabled from purchasing our products by
our high duties on all they would sell in ex-
change. The farmer and planter would have
the home market without a tariff; and they
would have the foreign market also to q much
greater extent, but for the total or partial pro-
hibiton of the last tariff
| The report goe- on to speak of the great va
riety OF our agricultural products, which to be
consumed must find foreign market, or be
greatly depressed in value. If on our reduction
of duties, England repeats her corn laws, near
ly all Europe must follow her example, or give
to her manufacturers advantages which cannot
be successfully encountered in most of the
markets of the world. The report adds
The tariff did not raise the price of our
breadstuffs; but bad harvest in England does
giving LIS for the time that foreign market
which we would soon have at all times, by
that repeal of the corn laws which must follow
the reduction of our duties. But whilst bread
stuffs rise with bad harvest in England, cot
ton almost invariably falls; because the increas-
ed sum which, in that event, England must
pay for our bieadstuffs, we will take, not in
manufactures, but only in specie; and, not hav-
ing it to spare, she brings down, even to
greater extent, the price of our cotton. Hence
the result, that bad harvest in England redu-
ces the aggregate price of our exports, often
turns the exchanges against us, carrying our |
specie abroad, and inflicting serious blow on
our prosperity. Foreign nations cannot for a
series Of years import more than they export;
and, if we close our markets against their i'm
ports by high duties, they must buy less of our
exports, give lower price, or both.
| Prior to the 30th ofJune, 1912, credit was
given for the payment of duties; since which |
date, they have beon collected in cash. Before |
the cash duties and the tariff of 1912, our |
trade in foreign imports re-eXported abroad |
afforded large and profitable employment to |
our merchants, and freight to our commercial
marine, both for the inward and outward voy-
age; but, since the last tariff, this trade is being
lost to the country. The total amount of TO-
reign imports re-exported during the three
years since the last tariff, both Of free and du-
table goods, is Ss3,Ss4, 394-being far less
than in any three years Except during the
wary since l79s, and less than was re-exported
in any one of eight several years. This result is
attributed to the combined result of the cash
duties and the tariff. If the cash duties are
retained, as it IS believed they should be, the
adoption OF the warehousing system is recon-
mended, by which the foreign imports may be
kept in store by the government until they are
required for re-exportation abroad, or consump-
ton at home-in which latter contingency,
and at the time when for that purpose they are
taken out of these stores for consumption, the
duties are paid, and, if re-exported, they pay
no duty, but only the expense of storage.
The favorable effect of the bill allowing
drawback of our duties on foreign exports car
ried through our ports to Canada is shown, and
an extension of the system recommended, SO
as to permit the expectation of Canada goods
in transit through our own ports to foreign
countries.
A reduction and graduation of the price of
public lands unsaleable ut present rates, in ia
vor of settlers and cultivators, is recommend
ed, as one OF the means Of increasing the re-
venue. 1t is alleged that such reduction of
the price in favor of the settlers would increase
he wages of labor.
The constitutional treasury" is earnestly
recommended, having no power to make loans
or discounts, or issue any paper, and confined
to the use exclusively of gold and silvep
In connection with the "treasury of the con-
stitution," the location Of branch of the mint
at New York is recommended as place for
keeping safely the vast amount of revenue
collected at New York, and also means of
increasing the coinage, and the circulation of
gold and of silver.
The coast survey is rapidly progressing
coast of Massachusetts, and southwark nearly
to the dividing line of Mary land and Virginia,
on the Chesapeake. Two new centres Of ope-
ration have been opened in North Carolina and
on the Gulf of Mexico. The importance of
the light house system is referred to, and the
attention of Congress called to the fact that
from the Chesapoake TO the Canes Of Florida.