Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-11-21
they were marching within fifteen leagues o.
the capital, laying waste, PluLderIng ana l'u'
derino at their pleasure. --Piceyune.
From the Washington Constitution
TARTFE ABSURDITIES.

dering at their pleasure. --Faeey1ne.
From tile Washington Constitution.
TARIFF ABSURDITIES.
To meet and confute all the absurdities
which are boldly put forth by the advocates
of what Ia called a protective tariff, would
leave room for no other matter in the columns
of newspaper. Some of these absurdltles-
Of the most glaringly fallacious character
ara. however, occasionally put forth with such
confident air, with so much assurance, and
lin the columns of newspapers enjoying de-
seryedlv high reputation for general candof
and fairness in. argument, that ~ leave them
unnoticed or uncontradicted, would, with ma
nv persons, be an acknowledgment that they
were sound and unanswerable. ConsIdera-
lions of this character induce US to notice
some gIarng tariff absurdities in a communl-
cation in the Intelligencer of Saturday.
The writer of this communication lssprofes-
sedly exposing the impossiblity OF raising
sufficient revenue for the wants OF the Gov
ernment,shy anaverage assessment OF facefDe
and a haFpcr cent. upon all imports.
He first assumes that it is necessary to raise
twenty-four or FIVE millions nett revenue from
this source.
We will not argue the anti republican ten
denotes of such large revenues and exPendl-
lures as from .rdinal principles with the
Wings. 1t is unnecessary. Ont OF power
they preach retrenchmentan reduction OF The
expenses to 81 200, 900 per dnnuna, and strive
to prevent the expenses being reduced by the
Democrats, and in power they run up the ex-
pendtures to $25, OOO, 600. But take the APP
preparations made by the last Congress TO test
this assumption. They amount to $24, 2l4,.
l6l, and included for the Post Office expendi-
lures SIS, 100000. The new postage system
rates will not bring in more than So. 100000,
and the balance will fall upon the Treasury.
The sales of lands and other miscellaneous
sources of revenue will probably bring in
So, 100000. Deduct these $5,O00,OO0 from
the amount appropriated, and 1t leaves &c.,
600, 900 of net revenue required from custom
duties, instead Of $25, OOO,O 900 as assumed. So
much for that assumption.
The next assumption is, that anincrease Of
imports to the extent Of 1925, 100000 would
be required to give sufficient revenue at l21
per cent. duty.
We imported last year $3.50, Zoo, 900, which,
added to the former. makes 1916 900 900, and
at l21 per cent. would give $50, 900 of
revenue, which is $12 100000 more than is
required, upon what we believe to be the large
appropriations made by the last Congress-
So much for that assumption. The amount of
imports really required to give $2O.OO0,OOO
revenue at l23 per cent. would be $l60,000,-
OOOx8s
The next assumption is, that if we increase
our imports beyond their present amount,
e. 100, OOO.OO0) we must pay for all over that
amount in specie; and another assumption is,
that we have not more than seventy-fve or
eighty millions of dollars in specie in the
| United States.
Would an increase of imports at l23 per
cent. duty require TO be paid for in specie 4
Let US see. We will take the periods when
we were importing most largely
Fzmports and Exports Of The United States.
Imports. Exports Elk imp'ts.
1884, sl2e,5si,ss2 slo4, ssos7s s22, 1874, $50
1885, l49.895,742 l2l ,693,577 2s,2O2, IS
1886, lS9,9s0,O35 l2s, 663,O4O 6l,3l6,995
1887, HO,9sy,2l7 ll7,4l9,376 1860, s4l
1888, ll3,7l7,404 lOs,4s66l6 5,22Q,7ss
1889, 962,Q92, 49, III ,O2s,4I6 4l,O63,7l5
Now, this table shows that our Imports dn-
ring those six years, two Of which were years
Of commercial depression, averaged one hun
dred and forty-seve's miAions per year, or lfaa,
millions over the average Of HE past. three ysas.s
under The tariff Of ls42. Did we pay aas ex-
| cess in specie? Let us sec the. imports and
exports of specie during that time:
Ereess Of imports and exports Of specie in each
l.s.,