Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-07-31
CONGRESSIONAL.

GONG RESIDUAL.
SPEECH of Hon. J. A. Seldom, OF vlRsI
MA. on the TaRlFF-dslivere in the Houa
Of Representatives., June 20, 1916.
The House being in Committee of The Whole
on The state of the Union, on the bill reducing The
duty on Imports, and for other purposes
Mr. seldom said:
l confess Mr.. Chairman my feelings are
strongly enlisted against the protective system
which has been the leading subject Of discussion
in connection with The bill now under The consi-
dera;on Of the committee. am convinced that
the whole system is unwse and unjust, in its ope-
ration grossly oppressive of the leading interests
Ct the Union, and especially OF that section with
which my associations and sympaihies identity
me | ye, ,rus, not 10 be hurried by such convic-
lion into The use OF denunciaiion and invectve,
bnl 10 bring 10 he discussion spirit Of calmnesS
AMI cantor bef,,ing the occasion and the subject.
That subject the revision and reform of The re-
venue system of the Government, is The most i'm
porisn, question OF our domestic policy. Edmund
Burke, perhaps the most philosophc Of English
sla esmen did not hesitate TO denominate ''ihe re-
yenue he State" If the functions Of govern
,nsu ordinarily involved in the collection and
disbursement of The public revenue are so i'm
porant and varied as 10 merit such description,
with how much more appropriateness may it be
ienting itself with the extensive scope allowed in
III. receipts and expenditures OF The Govern
lnen,, assumes 10 regulate the industry OF the
coun;ry, and - guide the employment Of its la
hor and capiial Onrtaritf system originates, in
deed, in ina, inevitable evii-hc necessity ot tax
alton Tor the supper, If the Government. But il
has been heretofore devised AM framed, that
lis imposions in practical operation have been
not merely oil taxation ior The Government but,
b. the exclusion, toial or partial, OF rival pro-
ducts from abroad, and consequen, enhancement
ct prices, of bounleS for linz establishment, and
nurture of special kinds OF industry and capital
A system, compounded OF taxation and prolec-
lion and complicated by its direct operation as
IN lis practical working, must receive in both lis
aspects al least passing examination.
As system OF taxation purely, il is maniiesl
the most perfect would be that which directly ap.
portionsd and collected its mposilions from each
citizen according 10 the amount Of his property OF
fnea6s. The difficulty, however, in the first
placs. ot precise aScertanment, and then OF cuag-
ing accurately in reference 10 the property and
resources OF men, constitute almost an insufer.
abe obstacle 10 The adoption Of such system.-
Besides, 10 direct taxation in almost any form,
very strong objections have always prevailed and
sill exist With us. Among these are the sensi-
has been inherited by our people with their Sax
on blood; the accumulation Of Offices, and conse-
qnsn, increase OF Executive patronage, which
would result, from a system OF direct taxatiop
the propriely of leaving 10 the respective States
vide scope as possible, within which 10 make
the assessments required FOR their wants; and The
harsh and compulsory nature Of direct taxation,
as conrras.ed with the apparently voluntary AMI
uanerceived contribution Obtained by indirect
,axa,ion;-,hese and other considerations which
need not be mentioned, perhaps wisely induced,
a, an early period in The history of our Union, the
adoption ola system Of indfec. taxation by du-
lies on imports; and except on rare occasions OF
necessity, when direct taxes were likewise resort
ed TO- tina, system has been alone maintained and
established until The present time. II may be
looked upon as fixed beyond the possibility OF
subrersion, 50 long as it will suffice for the wants
0! The Government; and its proprety and wisdom
are almost universally recognized. Our atten-
hon mus, therefore, be confined exclusively TO a
sys,em OF taxation by duties on imports.
Imports may be either of products, made OF
cultivated exclusively in foreign countries, and
which of course can find 70 competition in the
PRODUCTIONS of our Union, or OF products of the
same or like character with those which are or
may be produced within the Union and with
which they are 10 compete in the markets Of the
country. So long and 50 far as duties are inn
posed on the former, no just objection can be
made on the score of the untairness and indirec-
lion Of the system of taxation. The duties man.
iesily enter into the price OF all such productions
Introduced, and, enhancing the price by that
amount, constitute tax on consumption, the
whole proceeds OF which are received into the ma
ional treasury, and are applicable 10 the wants OF
he government. There is no indirect benefit, no
incidental bounty, 10 any class or TO any branch
d industry or capital.
Aud IN this connection, MIR. Chairman, ma,
;e pardoned for brief depression in reply TO the
objections so vehemenlly urged By the gentleman
ton Kentucky, (Mr. Tih5a,,s,) who has just ia
Ken his seat, 10 The duties proposed 10 be imposed
h N. present bill on tea and coffee. Those ari-
ces are exclusively OF foreign growth, and, on
hat account, are strongly commended 10 US
By Inc operation have just been explaining as
among the imports peculiarly appropriate for tax.
aion. The whole duty will operate as tax on
Consumption, and be received BY the Government.
The universally Of their consumption likewise
Strongly recommends them as giving assurance
oo'h VI large yield OF revenue from them, and
o. the distribution OF The tax very generally
throughout our population. | cannot think that
serious inequality of burden among different,
classes will result from such duties; tor in my
own section OF the Union al least, believe, the
purchase and consumption are, 10 reasonable
extent, and perhaps TO greater degree than any
cher articles, so nearly assimaed 10 neces-
saTy OF life, proportionae 10 the means and wealth
o. CUR citizens. The proprielors OF fine eslab.
lsnmens, The owners of many domesiics, use
nese articles in greater quantities than do those
q more humble circumstances or Limited means.
bu II The imagined inequality urged by The gen.
Nsnan really existed, still il should be remember
"a 'hatthe duty is recommended as war tar, de-
~ ha nj o.a 81
ihent and 10 cease with the restoration of peace
and that on no other articles of import can such
certain reliance be placed for the yield OF The
amount OF revenue required. The gentleman has
oodSeo no iie'le oil The noble patriotism and cal
idHliy, win winch The Constituents OF himself
anu olner gentlemen from his section are even
now crowdins 10 The tented field, and reckless of
hardship or danger offer their persons 10 the fierce
encounter OIL arms IN vndicalion OF the honor and
siShls oil their Country. | unite with him
most cordially in rendering all honor 10 sn~h
Grave and worthy citizens But sir with such
enthusiasm ofpariotism, with such spirit of sell.
sacIlhce prevailing among the bold yeomanrv
Zoe West, il is hand TO believe they are correct.
represented here as unwilling TO contribute
s.snl pliance from their means-a trivial tax
wa wa, a'cles OF general use among them-,o pro.
sn.,, we means for furnishing them arms and
s,; r and enabling them, With more speed and
N1.y, 10 achieve for their country an honora.
I,sI ,Se themselves, undying glory. Blu,
The ;n, .ns gentleman, in addition that interest
emuha,;canr us Constituents less Than mine
b nor 10 ;ndn ,oasp'Ies with the sentiments OF
The presep, .r;an we adoption OF this war tax
i INNS, :. sn., ea,sencies Of our Merican w.r
az, will be by loan and The aec Iu oy soch war
"'aai debt Tha, deb, will h ereaesa no Of ma.