The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-20
The bill, as thus amended, was reported TO the
Senate, and passed to third reading,
THE TARIFF.

proceeded TO the consideration Of the tariff bill
Mr., NILES spoke in opposition to the bill. At
ter few general introductory remarks, he remarked
that he would first say few words on the relative
merits Of the tariff Of 1912 and the bill. The act
Of 1912 had never been object of assault on the
part Of the democracy Of the north On the con-
lrary, IL vas the object of defence. Certain details
had been objected to--some OF its provisions had
been regarded as discriminating uniustly-but these
objections had been urged chiefly for the purpose OF
meeting the extrayagant pretensons in It's favor set
up on the other side. The uniformity and stability
Of the operation of the law without parallel.
He then spoke Of the new bill an administration
measure. As friend of that administration he pro-
foundly regretted the Introduction Of the bill and
friend OF the administration he would vote against
IT, lie would use the language of Edmund Burke,
who on one occasion remarked, in justification OF
his opposition TO measure Of the minister that he
was supporting his lordshps interests against his
ordshlp's opinions" He then proceeded to state
his objections TO the bill First, he objected to It on
he ground Of its introduction the present time,
when the nation was involved in the expenses OF
war. Next he objected to the manner in which the
bill had been prepared and introduced. There was
something novel even IN that Ii il passed would
pass against the judgment Of majority Of the Senate
A sort OF special Congress- very small Congress
"a supplement Of Congress, composed OF subordi-
nate custom. house officers, had been convened for
the purpose Of arranging the details Of the bill
and Means in the other House in order to attend 10
some business Of his constituents, and there found
hat II had been taken possession OF by these
| custom-house officers, who very politely told
ham that they would look into his business. He
complained Of such a mode Of manufacturing
the bill--a bill full Of strange crudtss and con
lcting provisions and principles, He then went
ln 10 speak Of the principles Of the bill IL was the
Of the theory in the Secretary OF the
Treasury theory founded on the old exploded
philosophy Of putting forth categorles and bringing
your facts within them. IL was destitute Of the
principle of incidental protection which he would
not allow to slip through his fingers by any h0eus'
poeus, IegerdeInain, treasury management, or any
lther sort Of management All these themes and
distractions he held in utter contempt He had no
respect for them He would frame tariff law, as
he would any other law on the principles OF common
sense. He would look TO the effect Of the law, not
only the treasury but its effect incidentally, col
ateraly, every way. He would make Il produc'
i've Of revenue, and at the same time Ss little bur
densome and highly beneficial to all the interests
Of the country as possible. The ad vaorem princi-
pie was another new one, and he wished to know
Why 1t wss so pertnaeiously adhered TOP Was
there any other reason, except It the fayorlte
abstraction of somebody, though universal common
sense revolted against H. He showed the bad and
oppressive operation Of the ad yalorem scheme IN
stancing the articles Of iron and molasses. steady
and safe principle was wanted. He then entered on
tended that the great woollen inteTest-soon to be
far greater than the eotton-was not sufficiently
cared for. A consignment Of $4,000 lbs. Of wool
from Chicago sold the other day to the proprie
tor of carpet factory in Of the eastern States
Wool was hereafter TO be the great staple Of the
north western States. Ten millions Of wool
consumed annually in his State. Such was the
great and growing interest-he would not say, sac
rihced-but certainly not sufficiently cared for by
the bill. The manufacture Of ready-made clothing
which afforded employment to so many thousands Of
poor females, was left entirely unprotected. Manu-
features Of received Irish neutrality-suspicious.
downwards. He described the legislation Of Great
Britain, with respect TO the iron manufacturers,
which enabled the British manufacturer to under
sell the American. The British manufacturer got
! his Swedish iron free Of duty--the American paid
30 per cent. for 1t. But Great Britain legslaed on
principles OF common sense not theories and ab.
stractions. Such was the way in which they treat
ed the Iaborers engaged in the manufacture Of iron
Well they might not have much logic, but they
had nerves, and when they felt they would make
themselves heard. He then spoke OF the duties on
paper. He was paper-manufacturer himself; and
though il had been said that all manufacturers got
everlastngly rich yet he could only say for himself
that he had got almost everlastingy poor The bill,
he arg ied would have a most injurious effect upon
| his interest," including the book interest also He
sugmatized the folly and blindness Of taxing the
| raw material and went on to describe the in
L
| ierest. He was oontcnding Che said) for the
interests of the free labor Of the country. He
| contending for the principle of the greatest
| good to the greatest number. He believed that was
democracy. At all events 1t was sound legislation.
He then proceeded to speak of the bill a financial
| measure. He alleged that there would be very
large dlminuuon OF importations. The prudent and
| sensible men engaged in commerce would suspend
and curtaii their operations Then he spoke of the
general policy of the bill. The design OF the bill
was to attempt by legislation TO change the course
of the industry Of the country Could they dare to
| do that In order to do what He would not say
to benefit slave labor. He was there to defend free
| labor, which menaced by the bill, The policy
attempted was to stimulate the expectation Of the
staples of the staples of the country, and the returns
of mportntions, et the expense of all the domestic
| industry of the country. 1t seemed to be intended
to bring society back to the primitive ages-to con-
foe human labor to the production only of the fruit,
| Of the earth. Was that possiblei He con
WINGED that it was not Even if wise, if consistent
with the intelligence of the age, would it be just thus
to sacrifice the interests which had grown up AND
| taken deep root in the country, which demanded
protection and which would have il All history
proved that nation could be great and fourishins
without the cultivation Of the arts, employing al
| the industry of the country. 1t the result o.
such accumulated and diversified industry that hat
made England and France what they were, ant
which even now gave such promise of future great
ntss III inns country. Dut III INC Oui pdsScu all INA
promise was npped in the bud. 1t would be equiv
alent to act of general coniscaon. In describing
the disastrous effects ofthe repeal of the of lS42
he said that the only parallel to it to be found in
history was the repeal Of the edict of Nantz
The reason urged why England should pursue
such a course, is an argument why we should no
pursue it. Her interests are in conflict with ours
What If she has reduced some Of her duties' IL Ii
generally upon such articles compose her expor
trade. England never INDUCES in experiments aDt
theoretical speculauons She goes on known facts
She is modifying; we ought TO modify. But she ii
not uprootng. Her legislation is always based OF
knowledge, not on theoretical sPecuations. Tn,
true policy of country s to increase its exports
not its imports. Mr.. N. here read table, showing
that we import more largely from England than any
country in Europe, proportionally resembling, IL
this respect, one of her colonies. The times of gu
greatest commercial difficulties were times Of larg
Importatons. In these times everything was at
stand; grass grew in the Streets everything looked
as il the pail Of death had been thrown over us
Why, then, are attempts made now to stimulate i'm
portatlons' Examples numerous enough u
show that we need no stimulus to increase imporIa