Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-09

Line wing OOnVeutiou VI AudSSas Huee"S w
clare that The principle that as far as practicable
all duties should be specific, as most simple in
collection and most secure againstfr fraud, has been
embodied in our revenue laws from The hIsl esa-
blishment of the Federal Government, and was
fully consnn.mated in the act OF l642. We have
already referred to the tables quoted by the jour
nal of Commerce, which shew that ad ualorem
duties have always prevailed in all our Tariffs.
10 The Tariff OF 1912, ii is stated by those who
have examined it particularly, that ad palorem du-
ties are levied upon four-nhhs of The articles
and yet we hear this great principle Of the new
Tariff denounced as new and monstrous crea-
lure of "Locofocoisnl."
But, say these Massachusetts Wings, the Ia
riff Of 1912 twas prepared with more labor and
care, as is believed, than had been bestowed on
any other previous revenue law" Thisis bold
assertion, when it i, recoectcd that this 'dsn''-
cal law was rejected on its engrossment b. the
casting vote OF the Wing Speaker While, Mr..
Claws immediate representative; and that up
wards ofthir,y jealous Wings including Messrs.
John @. Adams and ]. M. Bots, voted against IL.
The truth is, it was passed through by heaVy
nressure as a mere temporary measure, 10 pre-
vent the Government running aground, many
persons thinking, that otherwise norevenue could
be collected. Several members voted for it under
protest, declaring their intention TO prune down al
suitable time its gross errors and mischieis. IL
was indeed, a monster "half.made up" and still
the Democratic party are held up 10 odium, for
daring TO reform the evils of law, which had
suddenly and as it were BY magic, become invest
ed with sacred character, though al the time OF
its passage it was warmly opposed by the leading
Wings Such is Wing consistency. The people,
who authorized the change, will hardly be infu-
enced in their opinions by such false arguments
as Massachusetts Whigsery has advanced.
The merchants. ship-owners and traders of the
CITY OF Norfolk have pelioned The Secretary Of
the Treasury 10 furnish that station with large
class steam cutter, to enforce the revenue laws,
and also to preserve the lives and property of their
ellow-cilizens and others wrecked on The high
seas and disabled on the coast. They refer 10
the loss OF properly and life produced by The late
disastrous gale, and To The fact that most OF these
evils could have been allevialed by proper cut
Ter 10 tow up The dismanted vessels off the capes,
and Otherwise render assistance to The unforlu-
nate. The prompt and generous tender by the
Commander OF The Gosport Navy Yard, OF the
small steamer Engineer which was sent down un-
der Mr. Olmstead, masters mate, U. S. Navy, and
which rendered useful assistance 10 The distressed
in The late gale, j, fully acknowledged; but it is
added that The steamer was so small that II could
no, be of much use outside the capes, where aid
was mos, required. The Norfolk Herald, with
out intending TO imply censure 10 any quarter
SAYS that generally there has been deficiency
of aid from the revenue service, at times OF srea
need; and sometimes the merchants have paid
the large sum oil $500 for steamboat TO go out
side and bring dismasled vessel into port. The
old class OF revenue cutters, it says, are not eth
cenl enough for station (which, from its cen.
lraliy is more generally The nearest port for dis
tressed vessels TO make, afier one of those heavy
easterly gales which SO frequently sweep along
our coast, than any other that can be namci."-
A cutter propelled by steam, as well as wind anc
canvass, with young, active and enterprising off
GERS and men, is what is wanted. As such Z
vessel, says the Herald, is now being prepared
| for The revenue service of Richmond, why no
give her permanent location on this station, The
sphere OF her nativity2
There is much force in these views-and, j
they do moi conflict with previous arrangements
we trust that they will meet the sanction of Sec
retary Walker. We should be pleased 10 SET
the fine cutter "Polk" pay visi. 10 the various
stations, as a specimen Of Richmond skill ane
industry; but we look upon the importan, stalior
Of Norfolk as fairly entitled to the use OF the frs
steamer built on James river. We hope shortly
to announce the launch of the "Pok."
AMERICAN ART-UNIoN, NEW YORK
The laudable objec, of this institution, is ,h'
promotion of the Fine Arts in the United States
BY the happy limitations Of our Government,
is no, provided with means to encourage spendlt
Galleries of Paintings and Sia,uary, but The en-
couragement of the Fine Arts is left 10 indiVi
duals. The institution in N. York, however, pre-
SCENTS fine occasion Tor organizing national as
ISOLATION and is destined to develope and improve
the public taste, at sr,all expense to individual
contributors, who are indeed repaid in WORKS o
Intrinsic value. Each member, and flye dollars
nor annum constitute membership, is entitled
10 copy Of one large and costly original engfa
-. .a;n,;no hv some merIcan artist