Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-08-06
SPEECH OF HON. JACOB CoLLAMER.

HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,, June &c, 1916.
The bill reported by the Committee Of Ways g.
Means, proposing TO reduce the duties on imports,
being under consideration in Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union
Mr.. COLLAMER said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN am sensible that speeches in
this House, the great subjects of national poll
cy are generally, for all the purposes of legitimate
discussion, that is, TO persuade and convince the
hearer of little or no use. shall therefore not at
tempt to command attention by forced elevation
of voice. but so speak that all may hear me who
desire to do, and do not expect the attention Of
those tCho iOiH not hear.
AT the commencement Of this session the atten-
ton of Congress was, both by the Presidents mes
sage and the report Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, drawn to the duty of remodelng and chang.
ing our system of national policy by an entire new
Tariff OF duties Whatever misrepresentation or
doubt existed, IN some sections Of the country, as
to the course to be taken by the new Adninistra-
ton on this subject all now is made certain. For
the frs. time the history OF our Government the
Executive has openly and Internationally espous-
ed the doctrine of Free Trade, by describing, as
mpolitic and unconstitutional, all such discrminu-
tons in raising a revenue as are designed to fos-
ter, encourage, and protect any branch Of home
production or fabric, however necessary that article
may be- even to our national independence. These
Executive papers lay down certain principles on
which lUC LdGll SUOulu UB lOTUleu ara TnOulueu.
They were referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means which reported the bill now under consld-
Grafton, which is the visible manifestation aud en-
bodiment of those principles Such are its general
principles and leading characteristics. few
items have been inserted inconsistent with its gen.
eral princp pies; but it is quite obvious that this
has only been done to catch few more votes to
secure its present passage, and that, too, with the
avowed intention of ultimately destroying those
features as soon hereafter as practicable.
This bill then, was reported to be adopted as n
great, permanent and abiding national policy
Since it was formed and reported, and within a
few days, it is suggested that now other entire he "
provisions must be added, in order to raise more
revenue called for by the present war.
1t is to me dIf1icdt to perceive the propriety Of
any such alteration; and | protest against it, as
well for the general cause for the sake even of
those who are proposing the true policy. This bill
was presented as a new modelling Of our whole
national policy, as an enduring measure for all
time to come. Surely, then, it is disngenuous now
to attempt to pass it into law by mere temporary
provisions, adapted only to a condition OF war;
This would be 10 abandon the project, as testing
our general aud abiding principles, and lis friends
would be recreant to the doctrines they profess
If they have confidence in the pr ncipes on which
this bill WIS founded if they profess any degree
OF fairness or righteousness i'll argument, they will
not now attempt TO bolster up and carry through
uill w dtldCuIIlS temporary IN
their character however important. If the exigen-
ces of the war require any temporary and peculiar
provision of money, doubt they will, let bill
providing therefor be presented by itself; but let
not this be mingled with, and embarrass the great
question of our abiding national policy. The true
question before us is, whether the radical change
IN our system, recommended by the President and
Secretary should be adopted and carried out as
permanent system, sound in its principles and en-
during in its character. Some gentlemen, yes,
many gentlemen present, no donbi sincerely enter
tanned this opinion, however strange it may appear
to others. The question was between tariff, a
mouuting in effect to actual free trade, and tariff
to raise the revenue, and at the same time discrm-
mate for protection. This IS the dividing point
1t is question which has long agltated the coun-
try. Now, let gentlemen come up to the mark and
meet it manfuy. fthe majority in this House
believe that free trade tariff, formed recon-
mended by the Executive, will best raise the reve-
nue. and benehcially advance the best and perma-
nent interests of the country, let them try it. and,
when tried, if it works badly, they must take the
responsibility of the consequences, and should haYe
the frankness to acknowledge and abandon such a
chimera; and though the country and individuals
may suffer much in the experiment, they will at
least be temporarily relieved from their present
anxieties, apprehensons and uncertainties for, at
present. most branches of industry are, from the fear
Of DEATH all their tye time subject TO bondage Now,
let gentlemen do one thing or the other, and fight
openly under true flag. If they disguise then
purpose-if they one system into another by
amendments or Otherwise, there would be no trial
no test, and nothing would be settled by The eXper
lment-all will remain a vexed question, and nc
one can profit by it but politicians. therefore
trust that gentlemen, on all sides, may agree tc
keep separate the grand question of permanent
national policy from all temporary and transien
provisions for the war. hope that the friends o
the proposed bill may have the ngenuousness tc
permit it to DE discussed and decided on the prin
clples on which it was brought forward, undlsguis
ed and unqualified.
Having promised thus much, let us now proceed
to inquire what are the principles on which thi:
measure is founded; for the time allotted to me
in debate one hour-entlrely forbids my attention
to the items and details of the bill. We have no
been favored by the Committee of Ways g. Mean.
with any report of the principles on which they
| framed tie bill but there can be no mistake OF
this point-the President and Secretary having civ
| en- distinct exposition of them. There is moth
ing original in those views and definitions. If gen
! temen will turn their attention to the report made
two years since by the gentleman from North Car
olina, then and now chairman of the Committee 0
Ways and Means, they will find all those defini
tions Of revenue dulles, reUenue standard, all thu
limitations Of constitutional power, which were con
tanned in the message and Treasury report of thu
| year. They are all there, and now only repeated
over in order to give them the high sanction of Tx
ecutlve authority. Some of them are copied yer
batiHet lteratm. Theygenerally have tue viru
OF perspculty, because tie report Of the commit
tee had. | wish | could say as much for all othe
parts Of the Secretarys report. AS these prncI
pies and definitions are agreeable to the report O
the chairman heretofore made, he has, probably, OF
that account, thought it unnecessary to make an
new report this year.
That part of the Presidents message which re
lates TO this subject, if not extract, is but a
echo of that committees report and one bret ex
tract from the message will fully present the prin
cipe. lie says:
sit becomes important to understand distinctly
what is meant by eueaue standard, the maximuG
which should not be exceeded in the rates of out
imposed. 1t is conceded, and experience proves
that duties may be laid high to dlmrnlsh o
prohibit altogether the importation Of any give
article, and thereby lessen or destroy the revenu
which, at lower rates. would be derived from It
impcrtatlon. Such duties exceed the revenue rates
and are not imposed 10 raise inonpv for The suDnnr