Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-19

planter, and to the poor, this tax operates
most oppressively, not only in the use of
the article itself, Blu, as combined wi,hsalt-
ed provisions. =
The duty on cotton-bagging is equiva-
lent to $500 per cent. ad valorem on the
scotch bagging, and to 1911 per cent. on
the gunny bag; and yet the Whole revenue
from these duties has fallen TO s66, O64
so. Nearly the entire amount, therefore,
OF this enormous tax makes no addition TO
the revenue, but enures TO the benefit of
about thirty manufacturers. AS fve-sixths
OF the cotton crop is exported abroad, the
same proportion Of the bagging around the
bale is exported, and sold abroad at heavy
loss, growing out of deduction for tare.
Now as duties are designed to operate on
~ OH the domestic consumption, there
ought to be drawback of the whole duty
or cotton bagging re-exported around the
bale, on the same principles on which
drawbacks are allowed in other cases.
The cotton planting is the great exporting
interest, and suffers from the tariff in the
double capacity ofconsumer and exporter.
Cotton is the great basis of our foreign ex-
change, furnishing most of the means TO
purchase imports and supply the revenue.
1t is thus the source of two-thirds Of the
revenue, and of our foreign freigh, and
commerce, upholding our commercial ma
rine and maritime power. 1t is also a
bond of peace with foreign nations, con-
shutting stronger preventive of war than
armies or navies, forts or ornaments. II
our manufacturers consume 100000 bales
it would cost them .$l2, 600, 900, whilst SCI
ling the manufactured fabric for $S4, OOO,-
900; and they should be the last to unite in
imposing heavy taxes upon that great in
terest which supplies them with the raw
material out of which they realize such
immense profits. Accompanying the draw
back of the duty on cotton bagging should
be the repeal of the duty on foreign cotton,
which is imperative and delusive, and not
desireed by the domestic producer.
The condition of our foreign relations,
it is said, should suspend the reduction oil
the tariff. No American patriot can desire
to arrest our onward career in peace and
prosperity but if, unhappily, such should
be the result, it would create an increased
necessity for reducing our present high
duties, in order to obtain sufficient revenue
to meet increased expenditures.
Many Of the high imposts are becom.
ing dead letter, except for the purpose o.
prohibition, and if not reduced will ul,i
mately compel their advocates to resor
to direct taxation TO support the govern
ment. In the event of war, nearly all the
high duties would become prohibitory
J from the increased risk and cost of impor
tation.
The whole power to collect taXas
whether direct Or indirect, is conferred By
the same clause Of the constitution. The
words are 1.-The Congress shall have
power to lay and collect taxes, duties, i'm
posts, and excuses" A direct tax or ex
else, not for revenue, but for protection
clearly would not be within the Legitimate
object of taxation; and yet it would b'
as much so as duty imposed for SINH
lar purpose. The power is "to lay ant
collect taxes, duties, imposts. and excuses.
A duty must be laid only that it may be col
lected and, If 1t is so imposed that it can
not be collected, in whole or in part, it VIC
lates the declared object of the grantee
power. TO lay all duties so high tina
none of them could be collected, would b
a prohibitory tariff. II the revenue limi
may be exceeded one per cent. it may b
exceeded one hundred. If j! may be eS
ceeded upon any one article, it may be ez
ceeded on all; and there is NO escape iror
this conclusion, but in con,ending that Con
gress may lay duties on all articles SO big
as to collect no revenue, and operate as &c
l tai prohibition.
The constitution declares that sail bill
| for raising revenue shall originate in tn
t House Of Representatives" A tariff bill
it is conceded, can only originate IN tn
House, because it is bill for raising re-
!, enue. That is the only proper object I
: such bill. A tariff is bill 10 '.lay an
: collect taxes" 1t is bill for 5. raisin
5 revenues" and whenever it departs fro'
D that object, in whole or in part. either b
r total or partial prohibition, it violates ii
e purpose of the granted power.
D Ii is deemed just that taxation, wheth'
It direct or indirect. should be as nearly :
: practicable in proportion to property.
:, the whole revenue were raised by a ia
upon property, the poor. and especial
n those who live by the wages oflabor. wou
S pay but very small portion of such tax
It whereas, by the tariff, the poor. by tt
d consumption of various imports, or of d.