The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-31

value inc goods upon lheH V"u Jdus"'o'' -
Yet the importer is obliged 10 present an invoice
and one provision Of the new law goes far towards
making this invoice true exponent OF the value OF
the goods. For the law provides that, II the value
placed upon the goods by the importer, on entering
them at the custom-houss, is less by III per cent
than the value at which they subsequently, APP
praised, then 20 per cent. additional duty upon the
appraised value is to be levied and collected.
II is to be observed that this 20 per cent. add-
tional duty does not involve at all the question Of
fraud; and il may reasonably be supposed that I'M
porters will not readily understate their invoice
prices at such a risk. II they do so, the 20 per
cent. additional value upon the price sdjudged by
the appraiser, will be collected whenever the APP
praiser shall deem the invoice too low The "Prin'
cpes and the policy" therefore, Of the act of 1872
so far as these are involved in specific and minimum
duties do not seem necessary for the avoidance OF
fraud.
But the correspondence which we give below,
makes another admission which we deem yet more
important than that above referred to. The gentle
men representing the various branches Of manuiae-
turing industry all agree that the rates Of duty in
the law of 1912 may be reduced twenty-five dol
lars in every hundred and yet leave the protection
large enough to satisfy even the protected interests
themselves. Mr.. Webster accepts this view Of the
subject, and replies in substance that the high
rates of 1912 were not intended to be permanent
shat they were deemed essential when the law
passed, as at thai time all the great industrial inter-
ess of the country depressed and Prostrated"
We look upon this admission that the taxes Of the
law Of 1912 ought TO be reduced dollar in every
four, when coming from the very men who now
profess to stand up for the whole ''principle and
policy" Of that law, as being a very striking ad-
mission.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has proved in his
report that the law Of 1912 taxes the community to
the amount Of eighty millions in the shape of in.
creased prices for the sake Of putting nett revenue
Of eighteen millions into the treasury. 1t is con-
soling now to hear from the manufacturers, and
from Mr.. Webster, that twenty millions Of
this enormous taxation subserves no good pur-
pose whatsoever, not being at all wanted to
sustain the protected interests. We submit
to these advocates of the old tariff, that when law
taxes the people to such amount, and yet col
lects one dollar in every four of its taxation wholly
without any good purpose and that, too, on the ud-
mission of its friends themselves-we submit that
the whole principle and policy" Of such law
cannot we'll be sustained before the country. We
should imagine that the protectionsts might make
up their issue more prudenuy But that is no az.
fair of ours. They have made their election. They
90 for the restoration of the law Of lS42 That is
the question which they bring before the people.
On that question we meet them with the most un-
wavering confidence. We commend this signif-
cant correspondence to the perusal Of our readers:
| TO THE EDITORS OF THE INTELLIGENCER
| WAsHSoToS July 30, 1886
GEsTLEMES: In the letter Of your New York cor
respondent, published in the National Intelgencer
of this morning, we find the following paragraph:
"NEw YoRK, July %, 1886.
ain former letter | gave you my view Of the
new tariff bill, and the rumored proposition for a
compromise Ii remains unchanged. very large
majority of the wings are opposed and most deci-
dedly opposed, to any compromise bill which shall
surrender the great and leading principle OF specific
duties. Abandon that, and you abandon every hone
of honestly collecting the duties. A majority of the
invoices presented at the custom houses will be
fraudulently and yet readily sworn to. On this
point | can speak of facts within my own knowl-
edge while deputy collector"
This would imply that the proposition which had
been contemplated to be made for amending the bill
lately passed was proposition for "compro-
mise" and proposition which Surrendered the
great and leading princple of specific duties"
| We cannot well conceive how your correspond
ent should have been so exceedingly uniformed in
regard to the proposition Of which he speaks since
it had been published IN the New York papers, and
might have been read by all.
| That proposition was no compromise, either by
name character, in any other than as an
amendment proposed any bill, essentially altering
its character and provisions, in order to make them
more useful and more acceptable, may be called a
compromise The proposed amendment in this
case surrendered no specific duty, not one; it re.
tanned all the principles and all the regulations of the
act of l842 Its only object was to reduce some OF
the higher rates Of duties imposed by that act,
which, however necessary when the act was passed,
are deemed not necessary now. We cannot say
whether it be true that large majority of the wings
Of the city of New York are opposed to this amend
ment or not. IL they are, it must be because, like
your correspondent, they have not made themselves
acquainted with it. But have the means of
| knowing, and we do know, that those interested in
the protection of domestic manufactures SO far as
| there has been time for them to become acquainted
with the proposed amendment, were decidedly in its
| favor, without exception, to our knowledge.
We have seen and conversed with many persons,
and have seen some hundreds of letters and we cav
| with confidence, that the men Of business of the
country entirely satisfied with it, and that they
do and will deeply regret that it was not adopted
law, under circumstances likely to make that law
permanent is exactly such an act of legislation as
the great interests Of the country now require This
is our opinion, and believe it TO be the general
opinion among those who hold the protection of the
domestic interests Of the country in the highest de-
gree regard, and are most deeply committed to its
continuance.
We will be obliged to you to give publicity to this
note, and also to publish the correspondence which
we herewith place in your hands; and remain, gen.
tlcmen, with much respect,
Your obedient servants,
THO. CHAMBERS, of Pennsylvania
ISAAC r. DAVIS, of Philade pha.
WAsHINcroN, July 81, 1886
Sra: We heve been made acquainted with the
substance of a proposition which 1t is understood
you think Of submitting to the Senate as an amend.
ment to the bill now pending in that body for re-
ducing the duties on imports and other purposes.
We understand the proposition to be in effect to
strike out all after the enacting clause and insert;
THAT from and after the first day Of December
next there shall be q reduction OF 25 per cent nj