The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-21
The Tariff Bill in tn. Senate.


Huald when she arrives.
The Tariff Bill In the Senate.
Itappears by the proceedings of Congress yes
tsrday, that the tariff bill has passed, but we
think there must be some mistake in the report
We give it, however, as it came to hand Our
private accounts from Washington inform us that
the vote will not be taken before Saturday or
Monday next.
The Ad vslorem Tariff the Bin OF NIodi-
fications.- III 1t PAST
The public mind has cen already worked up
to the highest point, and the greatest anxiety ex-
lists, in relation to the fate of the Tariff oflS42
The opponents of the present act have nothing to
gain by its repeal while its friends, those interest
ed in its preservation, have much to lose by the
adoption Of the substitute proposed by the lower
House. There is not, therefore, an equal division
of the parties, or rather the two parties have no,
an equal interest in the result
No one can deny, for moment, that the present
Tariff bill does not contain many defects, that It
10 notn many instances restrictive, and in it, ope.
rations unfavorable; but we must admit thar a. re.
ssrictive as IL Is, and many defects a. It con.
tains, it is preferable TO the bill recently passed by
the House, and now before the Senate. There is
one feature in the new bill, which of itself is suf
fcient to condemn it, and that is the ad valorem
principle, and we satisfied that il the staunch-
est advocate of a reduced tariff, one reduced to
strict revenue standard, could become intima tely
acquainted with the abuses practsed under the ad
valorem principle, as limited as it is comparative
ly in the existing act, it would be su fficent to
place them in the opposition, and among the
strongest advocates of the specific system. 1t has
been stated on the floor of the Senate, by an au-
thority in which we have heretofore placed the
highest confidence, that the average duty under the
new bill, would be fraction 81 per cent, and
that upon an importation of one hundred and nine
teen millions, it would produce a net revenue of
twenty-eight millions of dollars. There is an in
consistency in this estimate that condemns itself;
but it would be well to know upon what data
estimates of the operations Of the ad vaorem prin-
ciple in the new bill are formed 1t is our inn
preston that it would puzzle the greatest calcua-
tor OF the age, to arrive ut any estimate approach
ing the actual revenue. Estimates may be formed,
based upon the known operations of any act for
u long time previous when no important altera-
non has been made in any of the influences
brought to bear upon the operations of that act ;
and estimates formed in this way and upon this
data frequently vary millions OF dollars from the
amount actually realized What are we then to
expect, or what confidence can we place upon
estimates, formed upon the theory of new sys-
tenn, upon principle totally different from any
one ever before adopted for the regulation of this
branch or department of the commercial policy
of the government.
With all due Difference for the authority from
whence these estimates and statements emanate,
we are compelled to say that they are not, nor can
not be, correct. So far as we can judge from the
mportations into this port for the first six months
for the present year lit belief that the average
per cent duty upon the aggregate importations of
the country for the year, will not vary more than
q fraction over twenty-five per cent, and the
gross revenue from customs will not amount to
more than twenty-five millions of dollars This
average and this revenue will be the extent, in
our opinion, even under the numerous high spe
eifc rates, which found all the way through
the existing act. WHAT therefore, can we expect
under tariff where the duties are all levied upon
the ad valorem principle, and at low rates even
under that system We must expect defGent
revenue, and a demand from all classes for
repeal of such act before it has been in opera
ton twelve months.
1t is not our wish to be understood, as adj
vocating the preservation of the pres ent bill
~ it stands. 1t is, we have heretofore
stated, full of defects, but we would rather
80 these defects remedied, we would rather see
notifications and alterations made from time to
time, as experience would dictate, than to see
such thorough revolution as the new bill pro-
poses IN this feature of our government. 1t never
was intended that such abrupt, sudden and COM
piete revolutions shoulc be made in our CONNER
ciaI systems, and they never can be made. we
care not which way the proposed alterations may
turn, without derangng the prosperity of the coun
try generally, and some of the most impor,antin-
forests particularly. Party principles are nothing
compared with the immense amount at issue
when this question is agitated and we are pleased
TO zee that in many instances party considerations
are waived, and the true and real interests of the
country take their place.
The tariff act of lS42 has been now nearly four
years in operation, and everything has been reg,i-
lated by and based upon its provisions The high
protective features which characterized it in its
infancy, have been steadily falling off, and at the
present moment it is reduced nearly, if not quite,
70 a revenue standard. With few alterations,
Improvements and reductions, it could, at once,
be made more perfect than any tariff act we have
ever had, and much better than any new bill the
combined wisdom Of Congress can oonooc 1t
wovld be better TO attempt this than repeal the
present act altogether, and pass new bill based
upon new principle, requiring the establish
ment OF a new order of things, and revoutioniz-
ing the commercial policy of the government.
We cannot expect this; there appears to be
discrimination on the part Of the party having the
power, to do away with all the old land marks.
and to make desperate experiment., upon the
most vital question ever agitated by any legisla-
this system, there will follow a revolution in the
political position of the two ma rtes a the .~.,