Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-16
MIR. MILLS REMARKS on the TARIFF
Tx SENATE. JuLy6.

The question being on referring TIE bill from
the House OF Representatives, reducing the
presen, Tariff, 10 the Committee on Finance,
Mr. NILES. of Conn, spoke as follows:
He was in favor oil the reference because
that was the usual course Of procedure. 1.-THE
rule had any propriety twas peculiarly prop
er in the present case. This bill peculiarly re-
CURED examination by a committee. He had
Just come from among the people and knew
their sentiments. He believed that this bill
would come on the northern and eastern sec
tons OF the Union like thunder-bolt II
would produce great surprise. lie thought
that il would be the part Of wisdom to refrain
from touching the present law for another year
in order that they might see what the financial
condition OF the country would be at the expl-
ration oft period. He desired to see the
bill amended, and for that purpose wished ii
TO 90 into committee. In his opinion, there
were great interests of the country not sufli-
ciently cherished by the bill. Iron and wool
were amongst these interests, and he feared
very much the financial effect OF the bill would
be injurious. Pennsylvania, with her interests,
was brought into leopard as she
was under a weight Of pecuniary difficulties,
for relief from which she depended on her coal
and iron. Would she not look TO some OF the
great features Of this bill with alarm2 He
thought she would. He thoughtlt would be
the duty of the committee to look 10 these
things. With that view, he was DESTROYS
that the bill should so into the hands of the
committee, SO that they might do their duty
Blu, this thing would, he supposed, take its
course. He knew what his course would be-
He wuald stand where he had ever stood. on
that ground which belonged 10 the democracy
of the North There he would stand If he
stood alone, firm, as he hoped, to the interest
of his country. His countrymen knew their
nights and would not be betrayed by any man
agement, political or otherwise. They knew
the doctrine which they had maintained and
protested on this sAbject. There was no prin-
ciple better settled and understood-none more
clearly defined than that involved in this bill !;
and If II stood on that principle, ne should vote
for il, it not, he should oppose II. He would
endeavor 10 carry out the opinions Of his con-
stltuents, which he believed were In coniormi-
" with those OF the whole country north OF the
Capitol, and, as he supposed, substantially the
same throughout the country. The eastern
folks were in favor of tariff for revenue, with
discrimination for protection. Was this a bill
based on these two prncplesS II might be
so, but he was inclined to believe that in many
instances IL Disseminated against protection
Indeed ii appeared that there was no fixed
principle about II, except one, and that was
ad valorenl---a principle new, novel, and ex-
perimental. never acted upon by any govern
meni on earth. He could not sanction such a
principle, as il reversed all the principles on
which their finances had been raised. But he
saw the course the thing must take; it must
go through as il was, and all discussion there
would be OF no avail, Still, however, he
world insist that il was due to the country,
from every consideration OF duty and proprie,y,
that The bill should have the usual reference,
and full examination.