Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-13
TIL E tariff F.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, D,c. ! ,

Mr. DOUGLASS moved series of resolutions for the re-
ference Of the annual message Of the President of United
States, Gall Of which will be found the first page Of this
pape The second of those resolutions being under
sideraton-
Mr. STEWART moved to amend the resolution by in
sertng thereafter instructions to the committee report
the OF this House that alteration ought be made
in the tariff of ls42" In supporting this notion Mr. s. said
that he thought the House ought meet this question
II seemed to him to be the duty of this give
expression OF ITS views on the general subject The people
had heard with alarm the language of the Executive Message
the subject of the tariff Mr. g. possession of let
just received from individuals who had commenced ma
nufacurng establishments and who wished know whether
would be safe for them to proceed Their inquiry of him
was what going be DONE Whether the entire system
Of protective policy be overturned had been recon-
mended by the Executive That inquiry was coming up
from all parts of the country and he thought il the duty Of
that House 10 reply these inquiries and let the people
know at whether the policy Of protecting American in
dusty was TO be subvertsd established Surely il
their obvious duty the question fairly and openly
and at once to give distinct expression of their views
II had been inmated by gentleman from Alabama over
the way (Mr PArSE,) that the report the Secretary
the Treasury most extraordinary document Extraor-
binary certainly was and many and very extraordinary
doctrines did it contain Mr. s. concurred very heartily with
the gentleman in thus much of what he had said. The
port document setting forth doctrines in political
such before had been promulgated by any
hozed officer of Government, and the positions there
sumed were such as had startled the country Il there
fore manesty proper and highly obligatory this body that
should give prompt expression possible Of its views
and intention in the premises Mr. s. proposed draw forth
to view and to public examination, in brief
he could, some of these opinions.
The first doctrine which he should notice. and which was
most distinctly avowed in the Secretarys report that the
protective policy was unconstitutional, and if so, there
be an end OF It, The Secretary said expressly that the tariff
Of 1912 too unequal and unjust exorban and OPP
pressve, and too clearly in conflict with the fundamental
principles of the Constitution"
These his express words that the tariff of 1912 was
clearly in conflict with the fundamental principles of the Con-
fItptn nd ha had aIa III
quoted the Constitution and then argued by way Conference,
that the power to lay duty for protection not in this
Government His report says
"a partial and total prohibition alike in 1foaon ofe
true object Of the taring posp They only differ in degree
and not in principle II the limit may be exceeded
one per cent may be exceeded hundred If il may be
exceeded upon article be exceeded all and
there escape from this conclusion but contenng
Congress may lay dntes all articles high collect
revenue, and operate a total prohibition.
''The Constitution declares that all bills for raising
shall originate in the House of Representatives tariff
BILL is conceded can only originate in the House because
bill for raising That is the only proper object Of
such BILL a tariffs 6Hto lay and collect Ii bill
for raising revenue and whenever departs from that object
in hoie in part, either by total partial prohibition
violates the PURPOSE Of The granted po1ocr."
Thus he held explicitly that duty which went but one per
cent beyond the standard unconstitutional and
that if Congress might add but per the of
duty necessary tor revenue, might add hundred per
and that if might impose such duty article might
with equal right impose it upon all other articles whatever
The whole proceeding, whether smaller or greater de-
secretary 10 be directly the Con-
stuon and an act which transcribed the of Congress
to perform. That the doctrine of the report Was it a
doctrine which this House sustain Would the
House express its concurrence in such sentiments He
ed not. The doctrine extraordinary, indeed What,
the protective policy Then all those states
who had gone before had been open voors the
Constitution ofthe country. Had this very policy of
protective tariff been distinctly recommended Congress by
successive Executive from George Washington down
and including Andrew Jackson If gentlemen would
refer the first and to the last communications Of President
Washington they could perceive that he had distinctly
mended the adoption of such policy among the duties Of
Congress Here his words:
ssThe advancement of agriculture commerce. and
TIRES, by all PROPER means will trust need reconnenda
ton but cannot forbear ntimatng to the expedency
giving eecual encouragement well TO the introduction OF
and useful inventions from abroad the exeons Of
skill and genius in producing them at home Hashngons
Congress has repeatedly and not without success directed
their attention to the encouragement Of manufactures The
object Of much consequence 10 continuance
OF their efforts every way which shall appear eligible
Uasisnyfon's last -7rnHai Address.
He President of the Convention which had formed the
Constitution, and must be presumed known something
about its meaning and intention. So if they would examine
the Executive Messages Of President Jeerson-and Mr. s.
presumed that gentlemen especially those of the jefferson
school, would admit that be- knew something the Con-
would find there three successive recommends
lions Of this policy among the highest duties Of Go
Here the opinions Of jefferson. He went b,
the extent Of absolute prohibition:
To cultivate peace, and maintain commerce and nav ga-
on in all their lawful enterprises fisheries
nurseries OF navigation and for the of pro
tecf the manufactures adapted circumstance these fell
owczens the landmarks by which are to guide our
selves in all proceedings "ef.rson's second Annual
Message
The situation into which have forced has impelled
US to apply portion OF our industry and capital national
and improvements The
daily increasing, and little doubt that the establish
formed and forming WILL under auspices of cheaper
materials aud subsistence the freedom Of labor from taxation
with and Of protecting duties and prohibitions become per-
naneDt. "--JeHe8ou's eighth Annual Message
'He therefore, who against domestic manufactures
be for reducing either dependence upon that
ion, be clothed ia skins and Hpe ike beass an s and ca
'erns. am proud 10 that am nor these. Erbe
has taught that manufacturer nom as necessary
Be7D. .3lsfin Esq, Boston, 1916
Would gentlemen say that George Washington and Tho
Jefferson had united in recommending violation Of that
acred instrument which their hands had formed And
with President Madison-that pure unsuled pa
riot and most sagacous and ncorruptibe siaesnan-wha
did he think about the matter In less than four
live communications two Of them annual messages and two
Of them special he had united his the
enlargement and protection by legislation Of domestic
The revision Of commercial laws proper 10 adapt
them to the arrangement which has taken place with
Britain will doubtless engage the early Of Congress-
" ~ be worthy At the time Of their just and president
care, TO make such further alterations in the
especially protect and foster The seuerai branches Of nanunc
e which have been recently instituted or extended BY the
laudable exeon Of our citizens .ason's Special .Hes
sdge May %, 1902
81 recommend also as a more eTectua sst,ard and a..
an encouragement to growing that the add
uonal duties imports which end Of
year after peace with Great Britain be prolonged to the end
OF two years after that event Special Message
MAY 81, 1914. -o
But there subject which can enter with greater rce
snd merit INTO the deliberations Of Congress- than consde