The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-21
THE TARIFF,

THE, TARIFF.
! The last news from England Is calculated to slim
ulate all efforts for the revision and reduction oil
the tariff. We sec her councils ruled by more lib
era principles; her Parliament we hope, is about
to legslae in the spirit of the age. Let US not fall
back, after having encouraged her by the victorious
election Of ths republican party, after the liberal
message Of the President and after the luminous re-
port of the Treasury Department, to expect freof
trade, and considerable relaxation Of the abomna-
bic act OF 1912. Instead of falling back, let US
20 on. We must not even be satisfied with going
In the wake Of Englandj but We should set her an
example Of free trade, which she may be disposed
TO initiate.
One of the great objects Of the present adminis-
u bn is 20 hberaize our commercial system. IL
is one Of the great purposes for which Il has come
into power. II we do not carry out this glorious
policy, we shall lose the confidence Of the people,
shatter our own party, and dsappoint the hopes Of
the world Who will finch at This crisis' Will
any member from the Great West say, "Secure US
Oregon FIRST otherwise We will not oo-operate
with the South in the reduction Of the tariff The
wings may entertain this hope. They may expect
to sec US divided and broken to pieces by tho defeat
of all our measures. Be it our part to disaPpoint
their calculations. We must maintain our interest
in Oregon. We must IMPROVE OUR commercial sys-
ten. These are two great measured Which II be-
comes our duty to carry out Though they have 10
direct and necessary connexion with each other yet
the reduction OF the tariff will indirectly contribute
to smooth the road q negotiation. 1t throws
IMAM Tf RrtI-
ish goods-makes us a better customer than We
have been 10 England-creates a stronger induce
ment on her part to maintain peaceful relations with
the United States, and, by more liberal adjustment
Of the Oregon question, TO preserve the blessings of
peace, and avoid the csauilties Of war. The West,
too has another and more direct interest in the
modification OF our tariff. It enables her to pdr-
chase greatet vafiety of manufactured articles
better terms. BY inducing 6redt Britain disc TO
initiate our example, to extend her commercial trans
actions with US, and TO open her ports more freely
to our own productions, 1t enables the Great West
to throw her breadstufs more advantageous
terti5 Upon the British market. Perhaps the day
is not far distant when freef trade in bfeadsuIs will
even prepare the way for more hosptable reception
of our tobaccoes. New Orleans is incidentally in
,erested in these measures. She is the great depot
Of all the articles which the Father Of Rivers WATTS
down to her bosom. There is no limit indeed, TO
the prosperity which more enlarged commerce
with the Eastern World will secure for her enter
prisng merchants fhefe Is no potion Of our coun.
try therefore, which is more interested ia he relax
alton of the English eon-laws, and Of our own tar
ir, than the Great West. Is it possible, therefore,
that single western nerTiber ean hesitate-as some
timid friends fear or some sanguine wings hope
in going with all his energies for the reduction OF
the tariff, as recommended in the Presidents mes
sage? We will not believe q We cannot imagine
to be possible that any citizen Of the West Should
thus consent to strike his name from the roll Of
statesmen, or should abandon his principles by sac
rhcing them 10 some temporary or imaginary COM
plant about Oregon.
The time for action, however, approaches. We
cannot doubt, for a moment, that the Committee
of Ways and Means will proceed with great
alacrity and decision b the consideration and rev-
sion of the revenue BILL which is now upon their
table The bill itself has been prepared with the
utmost care under the auspices Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. 1t is in the simplest possible form.
It sets out with gtnetal introductory section, set
ting forth that the different imports are divided into
separate schedules, each of which has certain per
csntage duty attached to each class upon the ad va
lorem value of the article. After another section,
about the abolition of certain bounties and draw
backs; the bill proceeds with the various schedules
Of iuipottcd articles from A to G-the schedule G
embracing the free list Exclusively. This is the
I'LL. Nnfbino I've ma
simple or comprehensive The first struggle will
probably be on the ad palorem principle. When that
great basis is established then the contest will come
on about the schedules themselves-wheher this or
that sfticg shall be retained In the free list and agan
whether another series Of articles Sbd be transfer-
red from one schedule to another--that is to say,
whether they shall be placed OH higher or lower
dutv. The committee are now enabled to act with
more pfon1ptitude; because they will have in day
or two nort information placed within their reach.
We understand; that The idbi.s and estimates which
have been in course Of preparation i'll the Treasu-
nv Department under the calls Of the committee, are
now completed. As soon az they are copied, they
will be transmitted to ihs cotimittee. We under
stand further the general result that the net rev.
enue under the proposed bill will make the real az
erage of duty 10 1900; less than 20 per cent
that no d,ttu is ADORE that lowest rate which will
Weld on each article the largest amount Of rev.
enue and that 1t is strictly revenue tariff, un-
less the continuing of tea and coffee in the free
list constitute an exception, The country will now
look to tho movements Of the Committee Of Ways
and Means with great solicude. Prompt and de-
cided action is desirable. A report is to be made us
soon as is compatible with the necessary revision
and consideration of the subject When the bill is
reported, we have no doubt that the House will do
i,s duty "without fear, favor, or affection"
sTEAM-RoUTE TO EUROPE.
We understand that propositions have been made