The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-06

lower rates, they operate ms protection merely, ut
! one hr"nch OF domestic Industry by taxing other
[ branches,
by The Introduction of minmums or assumed and
| false values, by The imposition of specific duties the
injustice and inequality Of the of Is42 in il prnc
teal operations on different classes and pursuits
! seen and felt. Many Of tho oppressive duties mpos-
ed by under the operation of these principles range
from one per cent to more than two hundred per It.
They are prohihlory some articles and pnrtally
J so on others, and bear most heavily on articles Of
common necessity, nad but lightly articles Of lux
nry II ia so framed that much tho creator burden
which It imposes is thrown labor and the poorer
classes, who nre least able 10 bear it, while it pro-
ecIs capital and exemps the rich from paying their
Just proportion Of the taxation required for tho sun
port Of government.
While il protects the capital Of the wealthy manu-
ncturer and Increases his profits, ii does not benefit
the operative or aborer in hl1 employment, whose
wages have not been increased by it. Articles Of
prime necessity or nl course quality and low price,
used by tho masses Of the people, arc, in many in
stances, subject by to heavy taxes while articles
Of Of finer quality and higher price, or of lpxury,
which can be used only by the opulen, are lightly
/ taxed. II imposes heavy and unjust burdens the
farmer, the planter, tho rommorcnl man. and those
Of NIL other pursuits except the capitalist, who has
made his Investments in manufactures. All the
great interests OF the country are not, as nearly as
may be practicable, protected by it,
The government in theory knows distinction OF
persons classes, and should not bcstow upon some
fvors and privileges which all others may not enjoy
It the purpose Of its iusrous founders to base
the Institutions which they have reared upon the great
and unchnngHg principles Of justice and equnty CON
scious that If administered in the spirit in which they
were conceived they wnnld be felt only by the ben
efts which they diiinsed and would for them
selves defence in the heas Of the people, more
powerful than standing armies, and all The and
appliances invened TO sustain governments founded in
injustice and oppression.
The well known fact that the tariff act Of 1912 was
passed by majority Of one vote in tho Senate, and
two in the House Of Representatives, md that some
of those who felt Themselves constrained under the
peculiar circumstances existing nj the time To vote in
its favor, proclnmed its defects, and expressed their
determination TO aid in its modification the first OPP
porunt y,ui0ds strong & conclusive evidence that il
was intended be permanent * of the expectancy
and necessity of lis thorough revision In recommend
ing Congress reduction ofthe present RITES Of du
~, and revision and modification Of the act Of lS42,
am FAR from entertaining opinions unlfiendy to the
manufacturers. On the contrary, | desire 10 see
them prosperous, Car as they can he so, without
imposing unequal burdens other INTEREST," The
advantage under any system Of indirect taxation even
within the revenue standard, must be in favor of the
manufacturing interest; and of this no other interest
will complain.
recommend to Congress the abolition Of lhh min
inum principle assumed, arbitrary, and id,so val
ues, and Of specific duties and the substitution in
their pace OF ad valorem duties, as the tarest md
most equitable indirect tax which can he imposed. Iiy
the ad vaorem principle, all articles taxed accord
lug to their cost value and those which OF in
rror quality or Of small cost bear only the jus, pro-
portion Of the tux with thnse which are Of superb
qualify or grcnter cost The articles consumed by all
are taxed Al the same rate 4 system Of ad vaorem
revenue duties with proper determinations and prop
guards g,inst frauds in collecting them, it is
doubted, will afford ample incidental advantages
the manufacturers md enable them derive great
prints "a can he derived from any other regular bus
mess. 1t is believed that such n system, strictly
within the rcvenue standard, will place the manuic
turing interests stable loniing and inure to their
permsnent advantage; while it will, nearly as may
be practicable, extend to all the great interests Of the
country the incidental protection which can he Afford
ed by revenue laws. Such system, when once
firmly established would be permanent, and not be
subject TO the constant complaints agtatlons and
chnnges which must ever occur, when duties are not
laid for revenue, but for the protection merely OF
favored interest.
In the deliberations of Congress on this subject, 1t
il hoped that spirit Of mutual concession and com
promise between conflicting interests may prevail,
and that the result OF their lahors may he crowned
with the hhppiest consequences
by the constitution Of the United states It Is prov-
dod that mo money shall be drawn from The lreasu-
ny but in consequences Of appropriations by law
public treasury was undoubtedly contemplated aud
intended to he created, IN which the pubic money