The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-21


Filth The last objection shall trouble you with is to
the new principle that all duties are to be laid ad vao-
rem II Is not the least remarkable crcums lance
cteu win the passage OF the act that this ad valo-
rem article in the democratic creed was by the
ssncton OF no distinguished name but Henry clays and
td - iiends say that even he has been misreprcsen
noher not unimportant circumstance is that the pco
~ one not true to the doctrine OF party tariff Of "ad va
loren duties and therefore reacherous TO them when
PVT 10 your conscience that there thousands and
tens OF thousands of good North Carolina Democrats
who SO far from having adopted in their political creed
dd never SO much as hear Of until long since my cleo
II was of the revolution that representation
ana taxation should go together" Now this Is great
ton cannot be necessary the interest of the rep1b
c But nothing unless il creates the duty oflay
ing taxes by the law and not by the officers who collect
IT. SO that the citizen who reads the law may far us
Practicable. in it what it taxes him officers too
whom the people have no agency in appointing, and
not remove officers who In assessing values exercise
their discretion and whose individual Judgment in
this country to the market value of property in all
foreign lands cannot be successfully because
witnesses to do it live abroad cannot be got here
and if they could it would still be almost impossible TO
convict the officer of intentional falsehood 1t must be
proved that hewas wrong and knew it too. Is this
new doctrine them moro than slight departure from
this maxim of tho republic Shall it be approved upon
the notion that this great principle OF
democracy has become imprachcablo Shall we sane.
ton the preence, that the peoples representatives
h mem IN ne specc duties and assume at
scrnpulous and just to you in fixing the values
under system of ad valorem duties
come to show that what the experimental tariff
makes the rule OF taxation the fathers Of the republic
mother Of frauds, has adopted only parent of ouI
revenues
In 1895, when Washington was President. Alexander
hamilton, his Secretary Of the Treasury, in a report
to the House OF Representatives used the following
articles imported into tie United States not much short
OF one third Of the whole amount Of the duties derived
from articles rated ad vaorem
"ln other nations where this branch of revenue as
with u.s. Is OF principal or very considerable
ed to keep the rates of duty low experience has led
contract more and more the number Of articles rated adj
vaorem, and Of course to extend the number of those
rated specifically that is according to weight measure,
"rhe reason of this obvious: it is to guarI against
which 6nii. naGy in or less de
chants of any country to have more probtty
than those of the United States this subject and it Is
purchases to the disadvantage Of the have
tanned little hitherto in this Yet would it he de-
tusve expectation that with duties considerab as
those which now exist disposition will not be cxpe.
renced in some individuals, who carry on our impot
trade to evade the payment Of them and this to
specton aud by every reasonable precauon, against
the success. Of such attempts II needless repeat
that this will contribute much to the interest of the
fair trader as to that of the revenue. $40
It is believed that in our system the method of rating
ad valorem could with convenience be brought within
much compass. and evident that to do so will
contribute materially to the security Of the revenue -
(see American State Papers, Finances vol page 34s)
In 1901 under Jeferson's administration. Albert Gal
latin Secretary OF the Treasury in report to the Senate
OF goods being moderated in the invoices it would be
eligible to lay specific duties all such articles now
payng cu,es sd vaoIem as may be susceptible of thai.
/ page 702)
in isis under Madisons administration, A. j. Dallas,
the Secretary Of the Treasury in report to the
Of Representatives and in answer to resolution of
preceding session, after thorough examination said
Their be charged with specific duties upon their weight
and measure, in order to guard against evasons and
frauds than with ad yalorem duties on their value ="
(See American State Papers, Finance vol g. page 9I)
In 1878. under Monroe's administration William H.
Crawford the Secretary Of the Treasury, in
might be necessary for the more eectuaI execution
of the revenue laws said ;
frauds and evasons which already exist and prevent
their further increase it is respectfully submitted SC
And then, after recommending twentyfour additional
Whatever may be the reliance that ought to be placed
in the efficacy ofthe foregoing provisions, it 10 certainly
prudent to diminish far able the list of art
cles paying sd valorem dutfes."-(See American State
Papers, vol g. psge 1867
These opinions, OF the great and eminent men of our
country ere never controyerted so far as we know
until the present tines and upon what principle Of pa
trotism of democracy expected to refuse them
the homage Of my confidence and support What should
have induced me to forego the conclusions of my own
judgment fortified by such authority and confirmed by
all my conferences with Senator'S no better reason was
given to for it than that the bill would destroy the
tariff Of saa but the remedy was as bad il not
asunwise as TO cut of the head for Of the tooth
ache"
l now proceed to lay before you an unadorned nara.
tive Of party conferences connection with this sub
ject and leave for you to characterize as it deserves
the injustice that has been done to me by all those who
have brought into question my fathfulness to the demo
cratic party.
When the tariff bill first reached the Senate was in
Raleigh and then communicated to intimate political
important amendments expressing to him nv exceeding
anxiety and fears upon the subject. Immediately after
senate told several Of the senator's democ rats) with
whom was most intimate, the same thing, and upon
to- but o. bsy aid s no mn nts
me- and consented to think further OF that had been
voted by the party to have reference and agreed
and confidential conversation with the President of the
United States himself upon this subject and informed
him Of my determination not to vote for the bill but left
it to his discretion whether keep that purpose secret
or not in that interview, such my anxiety to re-
concile my duty with the wishes Of others, that
sented to waive my opposition, and vote for the bill
however reluctantly. provided it amended so that
the new tariff would not go into operation before the 4h
peal Of the tariff act Of 1872 and SO far was willing
support II By that time,
deed entertained doubt that Congress would see the
necessity for modifying the act at the next session
Knew well that the senate were about passing the BILL
contrary to the judgment Of majority under the duress
OF party drill yet unwise as that was my feelings
to going against the Of my party in
that body These reasons assigned to the President,
whose name is not used without his express license
Upon my return TO the Senate chamber, as had pro-
missed to do told several senator's who regarded
as leaders upon this question: that could not for
the bill unless it should be amended above but il IA
were SO amended, would give my vote. And again
promised to keep my objections and purposes secret
from the other sde until my party had been con-
suited and until should be obliged to act. The secret
was kept sacredy upon my part, and no wing senator
knew OF my opposition to the bill With that view il
was, that down to the day before resigned had no
conference with persons in Washington and out of the
Senate upon this subject except the President of the
United States himself and Of his cabinet; unless il
may be- that in general terms limited to Of my col
leagues in the House that I embarrassed but no
asked no interview and sought On the day be-
fore resigned, went into the country with private
gentleman and personal friend Ia distinguished demo-
crat to consult with him upon the single point Of my
signing, or OF making resistance to the bill had FREE
audd IL