The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-16
The New Tarin-Iis Operation, and the
OppOsitlOn.

The New Tarin-Iis Operation, and the
Opposition.
The organs OF the two parties here, as every
one anticipated, made the proposed tariff Of Mr..
Walker the subject OF a great deal OF
ment. The organs of the administration generally,
have received the system very favorably; while
those in the opposition have, OF course, condemned
the whole thing, totally and unresevedly Some of
the administration papers have found fault with
some of the features of the new bill. The condem-
nation or advocacy OF this act by the party papers
shows nothing. 1t is the business of these papers
TO 60 with their party In any measure bearing the
party mark; and 1t is, therefore, impossible to tell
from the tone of the organs, whether any act pos
sesses any merit or not
The tariff made out in the Treasury Department,
as whole, has great deal of merit. Its simpi-
city Is much IN Its favor, while the principle upon
which IT has been formed is something new in the
history of this country The ad-valorem principle
is an experment-one that may fail in operation;
and failure this act would be attended with most
unfortunate effects, il would require a speedy
alteration, and dlsappoint all those interests that de-
pend more upon permanency for prosperity, than
upon any peculiar construction OF the act itself.
The average Of an advalorem tariff may be much
lower than anticipated, specific duty ranges
much higher, and has very great effect increas-
ing the average. An average tariff OF twenty-five
per cent, at least. Is required produce revenue
large enough to meet the ordinary current expendi-
lures of the government; and any extraordinary ex-
penses the government may be compelled TO make,
must be raised by extraordinary means. 1t would
have been better to have formed an advaorem Ia
riff, averaging at the commencement higher per
cent at first, upon the compromise principle, permit
ing reduction from year to year, If 1t produced a
surplus at the commencement, until it ranged to
strictly revenue standard. There would have been,
IN that case, guaranty Of stability when that point
was reached
The formation of tariff for revenue alone, and
upon principle different from that upon which any
previous act of the same character has ever been
formed, makes it matter OF much difficulty and
uncertainty, and il would not surprise us if many
defects were discovered in its operation. The bill,
it came from the hands of the Secretary, may be
altered The different interests represented in the
lower house OF Congress, will make great efforts to
modify il, TO meet their views The protectonists
of the North, and the free trade party Of the South
will, without doubt, propose alteration upon atera-
ton, and there may be complete remodelling of
the act before II becomes law. The average duty,
p
upon which it is formed, may not be changed, but
particular items may be selected for cutting down,
and others tor putting up, until its general COM
pexion may be completely changed
bill of this kind, requiring so much data for a
ludcious construction, where there are so many
interests to reconcile many demands for protec.
ZION, so many difficulties in every shape to
mount, never be improved by being submitted TO
the representatives of many branches of industry
and we hazard the assertion that the tariff bill,
which will without doubt be passed the present ses-
sion OF Congresa, will not be perfect, in all its
details, as the one presented to the committee OF
ways and means by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Both parties should be satisfied with it in its present
shape; or, In other words all interests should be
conrented with 1t, rather than endanger many of its
~isest provisions by legslating it to death.
ANOTHER TREMENDOUS Snow SroRM-On Satur-
day evening, about O'clock after all sorts of wea-
ther for several days previous, the storm which has
been brewing commenced. In the first two or
three hours the snow tell slowly, noselessly, unas
sumingly, and did not promise much; but towards
midnight the winds of heaven were let loose, and
seemed to blow from all quarters.
The snow, which now came down thick and fast
was blown into large drifts, some two teet and some
tour feet in height and blocked up the streets and
the sidewalks. IL continued showing and blowing
all night, and rather curious was presented
IN the morning The snow lay In drifts, rendering
some places absolutely impossible, and the havoc
made by the mad FRANKS OF the wind was very APP
parent The awnings on Broadway, Chatham ST.
and the Bowery, having been left out all night, were
torn into tatters as ragged the clothing OF Fall
stafs army. and keeping the neighborhood in a
constant state OF great nervous excitement by their
big whpsnaplike noise. Boxes left on the side
walks were blown into the streets, aud luckless
signs were left hanging by single nail, per-
forming the ode symphony, and slashIng about very
much to the injury Of the letters painted on them
In the midst OF all this, however, there were very
few accidents sleigh was blown over In Broad.
way, early yesterday morning, and an unluckv
mllkman and his cargo were precpi,a,ed into a
snow drift his milk being snowy white n d;ssr.
peared, and lett no trace behind
The tide on the East River rose SO hiph. ves,s,.
day, as TO overflow the wharves much 10 The dsI.h,
OF twenty or thirty boys, who amused themselves
in killing the numerous rats so unceremon,ouslv
driven from their quarters.
The average depth of snow is about foot in the
streets The railroads In the vicinity OF the city
are so much blocked up, that we suppose the mail,
viii be thrown into great confusion, for shor
time
Tins storm began in Philadelphia on Saturda,
morning, and will probably continue Its way east
ward. II the snow is not drifted too much, we ma,
have little sIeighing
MEXICAN ArrAiRs.-We give another letter in this
day'spaPer, relative to the affairs of Mexico. We
give It, not to endorse it, by any means. bur IN or.
der to exhibit the view the existing Mex;can 40
nrnvided paredna -