Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-12

restore specific duties, do not propose 10 |
trouble the Senate with any amendments. |
nor to hear me in support of any PROPOSE. |
tons to amend"
And Mr.. Evans, prominent whig mem
Der of the Financial committee, endorses
what Mr.. Webster stated.
Now let us see what Mr.. CLAW saws on
this subject. And here, it will be remem-
bered, that Mr.. Clay had the lions share.
in passing whit was called the compro-
mise tariff of 1885, land that bill adop ted the
ad valorem principle, and was in force I'M
til 1912, and Mr.. Clay had closely watch.
ed its operation.
In ls4l, Mr.. Clay thus maintained the
ad valorem system:
ale (Mr. CIay) maintained that the ad
UdtOrem form aras the best. The specific
system maintains that articles of different
values should pay the same duty. No re-
spect Is paid TO values, but all have to pay
alike. lie admitted that there was one
objection to the ad valorem form-that of
differences of opinions as to real value:
but he contended the ad valorem principle
could be carried on better than any other.
He believed it was best, and where uni
form frauds could be better escaped than
under a different form. lie quoted in
stances of fraud under different FORM
lie was therefore willing to adhere to the
principle Of the ad Ualorem duty, even if
obliged to go up to 333 per cent"
And in 1912, when about to leave the
Senate, Mr.. Clay, in a very able speech,
thus speaks in reference to the compro.
mise act:
''What are the other principles of this
act? First, there is the principle, that
/ fixed ad valorem duty shall prevail and be
in force at all times. For one, am ,riI-
ling to abide by the pranciple. There are
certain vague notions afoat as TO the ntiIi-
ty and necessity of specific duties and dis
ordinations, which, | am persuaded, arise
from want OF a right understanding Of the
subject. We have had the ad valorem
principle practically in force ever since
the compromise act was passed, and there
has been no difficulty in administering the
duties of the treasury on that principle.
"Compare the difference between the
specific and the ad valorem system of du.
ties, and mantain'that The latter is .juStlg
entitled to the preference.
"The one princl pie declares that the
duty paid shall be upon the real value o
the articles taxed, the specific principle
imposes an unequal duty on articles great
, ly unequal in value.
: 81 say that, in theory, and according e
every sound principle of justice the ad IA
loren system of taxation IS entitled to til
preference"
f Now, Tariff reader, do you consider Mr
Clay public man, for it seems Mr.. Web
ster does not, and in whose opinion anC
Judgment have you most conference.-the
Clay or Mr.. Webster? The former has
: been the consistent advocate of protection
= and has spent his life in building up the
protective system. Mr.. Webster is al
eleventh hour advocate of the principle
Mr.. Clay recommends the adj vaIorem du
ties, and Mr.. Webster minimums and spe
E clfc duties.
But little reflection will soon give yol
a clue to Mr.. Webster's views. He eX
planned himself in his speech in reply &c
Gen. Hayne, on the tariff of 1888. He
said that "vast amounts, many millions
had been invested in manufactures under
the inducement of the act of 1924, ant
hence he was willing and did vote to give
this manufacturing interest the further pro
lection provided for them IN the act o
1925" When were his doubts about the
questionable" power of Congress and his
former convictions as TO the injustice of the
protective system which he had so ably
expressed in answer TO Mr.. Clay, when
f advocating the protective policy denoun-
ced by Mr.. Webster, as the British policy,
and claimed by Mr.. Clay as the 'Ameri-
can policy" 1t is true, in opening the de-
bate in 1888, Mr.. Webster did say 'this
subject, is surrounded by embarrassments
on all sides," and no doubt he felt that the
arguments which he had so ably delivered
against the protective policy, were an en-
, barrassment IN his change. And Mr.. Web
ster, like all lGts converts, soon outstripped
the former friends of protection, and in
1912 had got rid of embarrassment and
was ready to take all he could get. And
minimum and specific duties furnish higher
protection and are therefore in favor with
I Mr.. Webster.