The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-11
THE TARIFF OF 1910.

To judge from the lamentations of the whig party
and wing press, one would suppose that the tariff
law of 1912 was the embodiment of perfection.
The fact is studiously kept out Of view that during
its consideration in Congress prior to its passage
the prominent members of both political parties
united in declaring it to be highly imperfect in its
Details and manifesty unjust in its prospective ope-
ration. No one, who at all conversant with
public affairs at that period, imagined for a moment
that a bill hastily prepared and Astounding in incon-
gruities and mperfectons, would be permanently
established. 1t was regarded merely as a Temporal
ry expedent to relieve the then existing embarrass-
ments under which the country labored, and it was
conceded point that Congress would, at another
session, modify and alter it better to adapt its
provisions to the real interests of the nation. II
That modification has taken place, and, with
the exception of the doubt which exists among
some of our citizens, whether the iron and coal
interests of Pennsyvanis are sufficiently protect
ed by the amended lava question which time
and experience alone can determine--the fea-
lures of the new tariff bill appear to be generally
approved Of. The thing has been effected which
oil men of all parties must have felt morally GER
tain would occur, and now the wings groan and
sorrow the tariff of lS42 as if the most per
feet labor OF human wisdom had been demolish-
ed There is vast quantity of ridiculous absurd
ity in these lamentations. Had the position of
parties been reversed, Mr.. Clay, instead Of Mr..
Polk, being elected President and the whig party
maintaining majority in Congress, is there a man
of sense in that party who seriously believes for
moment that the tariff of lS42 would have remained
undsturbedl The idea is preposterous. Too many
acknowledged defects existed in that law not to
have demanded an early and thorough rcmoddelling,
and the democratic party has, in reforming the sys-
tenn done precisely what the wings themselves
would have felt it necessary to effect. sa.
The tariff of l642 is gonc with its multitude Of
impercctions, and its few good features and it can
never again be galvanized or resusctated. Other
changes may be effected in our revenue laws; in
deed it ia next to certain, that at the next session of
Congress vigorous and doubtless successful, effort
will be made to extend whatever additional protec-
ton may be found necessary to the great interests
Of Pennsylvania; but the tariff Of 1912, per Sc, is
Mr.. Webster said Of the United States Bank
Fan obsolete idea.n The wings themselves would
not restore it, just 10 ioas, if they could, and we
doubt exceedingly whether any one Of the promi-
nent statesmen of that party would risk his reputn
ton for as to acknowledge himself the father Of
such bill as that which, under the pressure Of ex-
traordinnry circumstances was concocted and pass
cd in 1542. What folly is it, then, to attempt to
create panic about the repeal Of law which was
deemed imperfect by the distinguished men Of both
political parties; and how svident is it, that the
wings ready, at oil times, to sacrifice truth and
good sense to the mean object of endeavoring to
manufacture political capital. Penn. Paper.