Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-23
THE "REvENUE STANDARD"

THE "RENENUE STANDARD"
To the Editors Of the Way:
Conference.-The doctrine OF the " Revenue Standard -
has been announced the country the pre-
sent Administration. and seems command not little
attention well respect Its, in substance follows:
whenever, in the OF the Tariff, Congress
shall ascertain that given duty given article will pro-
duce the Of from that stclc-thst
duty becomes the Maximum that be laid upon the
given srcle il eon,cndsd that higher duty
be laid the above the maximum for Protec-
ton aud not for Revenue for If the maximum will pro-
duce a greater OF Revenue than a higher rate
why lay the higher and therefore, the Constitution
only authorizes the imposition OF duties for Revenue any
higher duty than that which produces the greatest smourt
Of revenue, to the extent OF the excess, unconsttu
uonsl.
The position is certainly very specious-but is hum
bly, considered very IL requires argument
prove that often the ,embsnce Of truth and
that theories the most specious are often false.
Let now how this theory will agree with the legi.
innate operation OF this power Suppose Congress to be
satisfactorily and accurately informed that under Tariff
20 per foreign Sugar 10000 hhds OF that arti.
Gle would be imported into the uped States in given
ycar-yeldng 100000 revenue, and that 20 per
would be the maximum but that under Tariff Of
25 per only 1000 hhds. would be imporied-yield-
ing only S3500O0 Then let a be passed
adopting the OF 20 (which the advocates
Of the Revenue Standard admit would be T.
what would be the meaning OF such an act Why,
ainy this that duty If ~ cent should be laid aud
ceeds thereof should be FedeTsl Revenue. Now. the
adopted were 25 instead % per cent would not
duly OF 25 per he laid and collected all imported
Sugar-the whole proceeds whereof would be Federal
revenuei Nothing more certain aud proposition
clear would be presented but f1r consuujng
important member OF connexon where truth Is less OBJ
II is CERTAIN then, tha,a Tariff may be laid for
venue although it, rates be above tue standard
That Cons ltltona exercised IN either case
laying and collecting duues for revenue Is perfectly ev
dent the Po"er TO do 50 is admitted absiracty by all
nd ne lts n
the Tariff would be constitutional in the case, would
be in the Other unless there IL some constitutional quah
for the agree precisely, except
Is there any limit then, the Constitution
the Of du'y Ii there the doctrine the
" Revenue StIrdard" utterly for then any
rates NAV be imposed that proper the disee
fI0E Ot Congress. Now, II denied that the Constitution
imposes restraint whatever upon Congress touching
subject OF Tariff rates, except that the Taf be
for Revenue. WHAT follows Why Congress. OF course,
Is lett discretion with thus eIcepuou r,gulung the
TarH. 1t power grarted IN terms c. with.
out CtO. II would lie absurd 10 that
ed power; this lwcr with one except oily, il
restricted But, The advocates Of the Revenue SIAN
dard, the power OF Congress regulating the Tsnh.
limited in this viI that duty laid Tor revenue
ONLY, whereas, Is without authority connect
ei vita another obJec-Ptoecuon. In regard to this
point, deEied that the Constitution requires the duty
be laid ilr Revenue ONLY, while July admitted that
be laid for Here is the tits
tended that because Congress must do TH therefore.
must not d. THAT,-whIch perfect ssqsituT It's
granted On oil hands that Congress may LAY and collect
Outes Tor eVcIue aud II has been shown that duty
may be land for revenue when lis above well
when II IS below the Revenue Standard" This has
not boen ueaei Bot the gu sCu ,dc whether Con
has the hight ing duty. associate any 9th
object modify the rate Now this objection has been
substantially abandoned already those who urge II
admit that Protection may be a modifying object when
the duty does exceed the " Revenue standard but
may when 1t does exceed Ii Protection can b.
lawfully associated with Revenue, when the below
the Revenue Standard, show why It may not
be associated With II when that standard 10 either
case, whether above or below, the proe only
dental: in either there would but objects IN
ayag the cury-Reyenue and Protection: II constitutional
IN the case way ohtrl Where : the con-
siuIUnal ground tor the dssluctiun2 The Constitution
gives Congress IN power 10y and collect duties Tor re-
Now IT Congress in executing IN power
purpose, later.Iy elect other object besides
revenue that cannot he going beyond authority 1t is
actually executing the auhUHy ID Secretary Of
the IcauTy the lawful power Of appointing the suba
tern usccrs m his department L. execute the
the government would he be tTansgrcssIng his power VI
Apo ntmen by a-s'caing the iurhcr bec promoting
ne Interests OF ms poor relations D. gI.lg them iii
cssl Certainly nU'! and II ~" likely that this doctrine
will be denied. Ii, IN the execution Of lawful power
any gwen purpose any other purpose mot prohibited by
law ne II ctcd-then the later puTpoe lrguated
by tue list The execution Oi the latter the execution
OF the i0rncr Now the StcretIry would give bis
cle'kS higher salaries because they his relations
COug by ts Lcdcnt proi1cuun dos not levy any
revenue upon the peupe man wIihoJt
Further: # be alleged that Congress 10y leyying high.
tues articles than Others, Expresses
the people and other, less, iuT Prot, cInn-the an
tatrh objection applies Protection Just cer-
any When u-der the revenue Standard" when above
and FDtecuun bslpw that standard all admit 10 be law
ul. Butt ia sufficient argument wannng-sti the
p,S-r would eAst Congress 10y the very terms of the
Constitution. Cunsress bound levy the rates
will give the duty articles ieyd On-bu 10 lef
discretion: And though may sbuse Discretionary
powerye must distinguish between the pnsses-
sion OF power and lis abuse. BUCKINGHAM.