Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-08-20
THE TARIFF OF ls42 AND THE WOOL
GROWERS

THE TARIFF OF ls42 AND THE WOOL
GROWERS.
AS the ultra ocofocos, who defend the late Brit
sh Tariff, and thus become entitled most justly to
the name Of British party, have resumed the con
test about wool, we beg leave to refresh the mem
cries of our readers, and at The same time to place
our own course on impregpable grounds, by repub-
fishing that part of the Tariff of 1912 which re-
lates to wool.
COARSE WOOL.
We have said that the act of 1912 expressly Inn
its the per cent duty to COARSE WOOL ony'
such as was always admitted duty free until the
act of '42 came in force. The following are the
words Of the laws
"SEcTros I. Be IL enacted by The Senate and
House of Representatives of the Un,ted States OF
america in Congress assembled, That from and al
ter the passage of this act, in lieu OF the duties
heretofore imposed by law on the articles herenaf
te" mentioned, and on such as may now be exempt
from duy there shall be levied, collected and paid
the following duties, that is to says
First, On COARSE WOOL manufactured,
the value Whereof at the last port or place from
whence imported to the United States, shall be
seren cents or under per pound there shall be levied
duty Of five per centum ad valorem'"
ALL OTHER WOOL.
We have said that ALL OTHER WOOL,
without any restriction or reference as to its cost,
is subjected to a duty of cents for every pound
and 30 per cent. ad vaorem. The law goes on in
these words:
"And on ALL OTHER UNMANUFACTUR-
ED WOOL there shall be levied duty of three
cents per pound and thirty per cenium nd Uaioren."
PREVENTION OF FRAUDS.
We have asserted that the Tariff of l642 was
carefully guarded against frauds, to wit: against
mixing different qualities of the same kind, by re-
curing an appraisal against mixing different
kinds, by requiring the ,chote to pay the duty OF
the fnest-ogainst putting bales of different quail
ties in the same invoice, by requiring the ,rhole
to paw the duty of the best-and against mixing
dirt, by requiring an appraisal Of its value as if
there were no dirt. The act goes on in these
words:
"Prorided, That when wool of different qualities
Of the same kind or sort is imported in the same
bale, bag, package, and the aggregate value
and contents OF the bale, bag, or package shall be
appraised by the appraisers at a rate excee dlng
seven cents per pound, it shall be charged duty
in conformity to such apprasal Prorided further,
That when wool Of different qualities and different
kinds or sorts is imported in the same BALE bag or
package, the contents of the bale, bag package
shall be appraised at the value of the finest most
valuable kind or sort, aud a duty charged thereon
occordIngly Provided further, That ifbaies of dit
ferent qualities embraced in the same invoice,
at the same price, the value of the whole shall he
appraised according to the value of bale of the
best quality Provided further, That if any wool
be imported having on it dirt or any material or
impurities other than those naturally belonging to
the fleece, and thus be reduced in value to seven
cents pound or under, the appraisers shall ap-
praise said wool at such price as in their opinion,
it would have cost had it not been so mixed with
such dirt or impurities, and duty shall be charged
thereon in conformity to such appraisal: Provided
also, That wool imported the skin shall be cst.
mated as to weight and value other WOOL"
THE TARIFF OF 1912 VIOLATED AND
THE WOOL-GROWERS SWINDLED.
We have asserted that these provisions of the
Jaw OF ls42 have not been faithfully executed ;
that if any fine tcooi, any which is not bona fde
coarse, has been admitted at 5 per cent either by
false invoices, by mixing with coarse or with
dirt, it has been done in manifest violation of the
law. This is clear from the above provisions: but
that no distinction has been made between coarse
and fne such as the law clearly requires, we think
is evident from the statement of imports in the last
report of the Secretary of the Treasury, page 3d.
as follows:
"Woo unmannfactured. not exceeding seven
cents per pound, SO 3S2 097 lbs. value 81 553 7s9,
rate OF duty per cent. Unmanufactured, exceed
ing cents per pound, 450,943 pounds, value
Sl36005, rate of duty 80 per cent and cts, per
pound"
No distinction between coarse" and " all other"
wool is here indicated, and none probably was
made. We knop that the effort has been made by
Vermont Wing to get this law honestly executed
in this respect, and that no satisfactory reply was
obtained; and with this report and fact before us,
we have no hesitancy in expressing our belief that
tho ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS OF POUNDS
of cent wool imported since ls42, has been sui.
fered in violation of the words, spirit and meaning
of the act of 1872 to the great injury of the wool
growers of the country
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE DUTY OF THE
TWO TARIFFS UPON WOOL.
1.-THE specific duty Of The Tariff Of 1912 reduced ia
ad ualoren.)
"a