The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-18
CON RssIoNAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. DIX,
or NEW YORK,
m as s.a4.s, Judy, is4s-on the warehouse bill.


The warehouse bill being under consideration,
Mr.. DIX addressed the Senate as folows
Mr. PRssIpEsr Il was my intention TO reply 10
the senator from Connecticut Mr.. HUsrRGros
on the day after he addressed the Senatei but have
been prevented by variety OF circumstances, over
which could exercise no control win the lspse
Of time which has interviewed, (now more than a
week his remarks have lost something Of their
fe.hness; and may not be abla 10 follow his argu-
ment as closely as i might have done If could
have had an opportunity 10 respond at an earlier
day--especially as 1 have been, for considerable
notion Of the intervening time, absent from the city,
and in no condition TO examine his arguments IL
would now be in vain, II were TO undertake to fol-
JoU him from the beginning 10 the end OF his able
and well-considered speech. shall not attempt IL
But desire far to tax the indulgence Of the SEN
ate as 10 notice the objections he has made TO the de-
tails of the bill under consideration, to examine
few Of his leading arguments against the general
policy Of the measure, and TO point out what con-
sder grave misapprehensions with regard TO certain
commercial facts which have essential connexion
with the subject.
His objections to the details Of the bill came first
in the course Of his argument, and shall take them
up in the order in which they were presented to the
Senate.
But desire to notice, in the first place, prelimi-
nary remark Of the senator. He did me the honor
10 say that he considered me capable Of drawing
this bil--s compliment for which beg him TO ac-
much OF its value when he added that, in his opin
on such bill ought not to receive the sanction ofthe
Senate. He said, also, that he considered me capa-
bic ofdrawing bill any subject; and in this he con-
eeded TO entirely too much merit And he concluded
by saying that il he had felt this assurance, he
would have supposed the ball, from his view of It's
probable operation, to have been drawn by some
large capitalist the factor of some foreign
hcturer Now, | beg 10 assure my honorable friend
from Connecticut, that person Of the description
referred to by him had any agency in the matter.
The only person from whom recolect to have re-
ceVed any suggestions IN respect to 1t, until 1t was
prepared for presentation TO the Senate, was Of
those "reguar dealers" in New York, Of compare
lively limited means, who, according to the senator,
have no interest in a warehouse system-who nei.
Their desire il, nor afford to use tia gentleman
Of intelligence and information and who Is now
member Of the convention engaged in revising the
constitution of that State. But | assure the
senator that the gentleman to whom allude deems
the measure Of the utmost importance to those who,
under the present SYSTEM have not the means of
tering into competition with large capitalists, and
believes that it will have salutary influence upon
the commercial prosperity Of the country
But, sir, proceed now to notice the objections
the senator has taken to the details Of the bill:
l. The first objection, az understood it, was that
in, depositIng merchandise in store, no invoice was
required; no appraisenent was necessary; nothing,
indeed, TO show what the merchandise was, or what
the senator will refer to the amendments have pro-
posed, be will see that all these objects effectuay
accomplished. The importer Of foreign merchant
disc is required "to make entry" for warehousing
it, Sin such form, and supported by such proof, as
shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treas
ury" To make entry Of merchandise has speci-
fc and well known meaning in the operations of the
custom-house. Ii involves the necessity of an in
voice, and a compliance with variety of well di-
gested forms. Nor is this all. Another amend
ment provides that the duties and the charges on
merchandise deposited in store, shall be ascertained
ION due entry thereof" The duties cannot he
tanned without weighing, guaging, measuring, or
apprasing the merchandise. Thus, 1t will be seen,
that compliance with all the forms of proceeding
which required in the payment of the duties on
the entry of merchandise is to be rigidly exacted
when they are deposited in store. 3
2. The next objection is, that if goods are hurt
while in store the government will lose the duties
Now, sir ask if the government should exact du-
ties in such a case, Is it not enough that the im-
porter or owner should lose his merchandise? Have
not the duties usually been RENTED in such cases.
suppose this to have been the practice; and cer-
tainly is opposed to all principles of liberay and
even of fairness to exact duties on merchandise
which has never come into the home market, and
on which the duties have never been paid. Vi
B. The senator says, if merchandise deteriorates
while in store, the government will lose the duties,
and that they will be calculated the reduced value.
have already said, to be ascertained on the en-
try for warehousng the merchandise. They will
be calculated on its full value; and if it becomes per-
shable, the officers of the customs will cause it TO
be sold forthwith under the provision relating to
perishabe goods, and thus realize the duties before
the merchandise becomes worthless.
L. The senator is of the opinion, that under the
provisions Of this BILL merchandise may be taken
out Of store and re-exported in any quantity, how
small. The bill is not SO intended; nor DO
think it can properly receive such construction.
Ifhe will look at the twenty-ninth line, he will see
that compliance with the requirements of existing
laws in relation to the expectation Of merchandise
with the benefit Of drawback is necessary. II must,
therefore, be exported in the original packages.
But If there is any doubt this subject, verbal
amendment will be all that is required to remove the
objection.
5. With regard to the necessity of bond to pay
the duties, there s good ground for difference Of
opinion. II is to be remembered that the goods are
to be nthe possession of the collector, or in other
words, in the possession Of the government. They
are perfect security for the payment of the duties
Why, then, exact bonda If it be thought expedi-
ent, there certainly be valid objection. Under
the British system bond is required if the goods
are deposited in the public stores and in the pos
session of the crown. When the goods deposit
ted in stores belonging to individuals companies,
bond is required not usually from the owner Of
the goods, but general bond from the owner Of
the store, STIMULATING that the goods deposited with
him shall be exported, or the duties paid in full in
three years.
6. With regard to the danger Of clandestine re-
moval of goods--another objection urged against
the bill--the answer is, that the danger must be
very slight, as the goods will be, as those now
deposited IN them are, in possession of the custom
house officers. There is, believe no provision by
law now for the punishment of such offences But
if experience shall show the necessity Of any such
provision, il can at any time DO made. Indeed,
will not object 70 such amendment Of the bill, if
he thought advisable
T. With regard to the provision exonerating the
master Of a vessel from all claim Of the owner of
merchandise, which has been sold by the collector
for the nonpayment ofthe duties, will only say that
it is copied verbatim from the tariff act Of l542
that tits in constant practice and no difficulty is
known to have resulted from il.
8. IL is also objected that il goods are once with
drawn from the stores, and the duties paid, they
can never afterwards be re-exported, or, in other
words, that foreign goods only be re-exported
from the stores Sir, this IL entire misapprehen-
sion. All the laws relating to debentures will be left