Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-07-21
AID YALOREM DUTIES.

AID VALOREM DUTIES.
This is another insuperable objection which
the Wings make 10 The new Tariff bill. Indeed,
Mr.. Webster says that he does not know pub
lie man wherever advocated the system. A few
days since We quoted The last speech made in the
Senate by MIR. Clay, wherein he not only defends
Inc principles Of The Compromise act, but warm.
u ,nsrains the I'D valorem system, as less liable
10 fraud, and in other respects preferable 10 speci-
fic duties But Mr. Webster, who when MIR.
Tyler's Secretary Of State commended in the Ma
pie OF protection, may nc, regard Mr.. Clay as
good authority on such question Let MS then
look al the history o: The country, and see whe-
thcr I'd yaiorcm duties, now Tegarded by the
Wings as an ahom;na,;on, have always been re-
pujiatcdin on! financial system.
TIE Journal Of Commerce publishes table,
showing tia, in = years (from 1926 10 1870
there were imported under ad vaorcm duties
I0lS,S5l Gc5 dollars, and under specific duties
only 653, 2l9, 30 do!lars-cr an excess OF ad va
loren over specific duties OF 1861 $50 dollars;
more than SO per cent. Another strange fact ap-
pears: under every Protective Tariff, since 1914
viz: the Tariff, Of 1916, 1924, 1882, 1888 and
1912, more goods have paid al YalcTrm than spe-
cifc duties. In 1874, nearly twenty-one millions
more goods paid ad valoTcm than specific duties.
Has not Inc present tayoritc argument OF The
prolcclionists abou: The vas, aGoun, Of frauds
under ad valorem duties, bcen always appl-
cable Tor the last twenty-five years? and why
shon!I we hear i, now for the first time, II
il be not brought forward merely to defeat
any reduction OF lie Tariff, and save their heavy
dividends? !. is as easy to swear 10 false invol-
ccs On articles paying al vaorem duties under
the Tariff OF 1912, as it will be under the new
BILL why, then, 90 not the protectionisls reform
this great source Of fraud, for which they pro-
fess so holy a horror? II there was no danger
Of fraud under the Tariff Of 1912, there ough! GER
laiuly TO be none under Inc proposed Tarih, which
is more closely hcdeed around with guards.
Another singular fac, is connected with The
argument Of The proec;ioniss against ad vaio'
rem duties Under the Tariff OF 1872 line cot
tens, bringing in revenue Of five miions,) a
large class of fabrics made Of silk mixed with
cccn ard wool, linens and cassimcrcs, all pay
an ad valorem duty. Now, if any article is cx-
posed 10 fraud, ali these fabrics are 50 exposed,
because their value cannot be known without ex-
animation; and still they are all allowed 10 pay
nd yaloreln duties by these proleclionists, who
clamor against the new bill! Is there no danger
Of false oalhs in the cases specified above and is
!, easier in The custom-hou>e 10 detect an undsr-
measurement under the specific dulles IMAM an
undc, roluoiion under the ad yaloIem system Z
As The Union says, in reply 10 the Boston Dry
cootsmen. who allege that they "cannot compete
with INSCRIPTIONS foreigners when dnIies are
based merely on the al vaiofem principle, "'he
little chance there is for examination does avail
in great degree TO find out the quality Of goods
in package, bui il does not avail al all 10 detect
an under-measurement. To detect this, the goods
mus, be opened. To open them, is 10 make them
unsuitable, and as general rule il is never done.
We say, then, without hesitation, in relation TO
package goods, that The cheating system IS the
spccjfic system, and that the safe system is the al
valcrem. Nothing therefore, can be more idle
than this attempt of the importers Of dry sools,
especially, 10 get up pane against aa Valoieih
duties, as opening door 10 fraud"
Blu, these industrious attempts 10 defeat re-
dnciicn Of the present high duties are too g!arins
10 impose upon The intelligence and patriotism OF
the Senate. Ii is the last shit OF the protection
ISIS for continuance of their exorbiIant privl-
leees. For the fra time they have found out that
a valorem duties are the fruitful source of fraud
The experience Of the country reules This "lale"
objection. The conclusive eSpositions OF The
Secretary OF the Treasury and The Chairman OF
The Committee OF Finance will put 10 resi- The re-
naming argument of a deficiency of revenue I'M
der the proposed law In a lew days, We have
every confidence, the Ssnatc will, by its solemn
vote rcfue each and every objection which The
proieclonsts will urge againstlhe great measure