Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-08-03


this respect has been TO carry the principles 1
OF specific duties as lar and as fest as circum-
stances allowed. That take to be the poll !
~ oi the government from the first aud il has
been the sentiment of all connected with the /
government so far as KNOW. (0ught per
maps To make an apology or an exception in the
Case ol MIR. Clay. ! saiu here the other day,
that had never heard public man advocate
"a system OF al Uai0rem duties. The newspa-
pers say--pcrlaps very correcty--that
was mistaken--ihat Mr.. Clay had made re-
marks favorable TO that in the year 1912. Il
was not IN the Senate then and did not
know that such sentiments were expressed by
him, aud II they are corectly reported | am
very sorry that such sentiments were express
ed by him.
MIR. Crittenden here said--will the Senator
pardon me while interrupt him Tor d moment
IN order TO offer AN explanations Mr.. Clay's
remarks had reference solely ~ home valua-
liun.
Mr.. Webster proceeded that explains
tn, whole matter. Well it is great relief
TO my mind. / am very much Obliged to the
honorable Senator Mr.. Clay's proposition
then was Iii you will bring the article here
and value ~ here independent of the foreign
invoice, why then will take that system OF
valuation" We'll that and this are as wide
principle makes il sensible, perhaps sale. A
home valuation by Judges of our own appoint.
ment here, Is one thing, but valuation loun-
dcd Oh foreign invoices aud the allegations of
iorclgn costs aud foreign oaths is another and
quite different thing. | am glad 10 find.
therefore, that Mr.. Clay'S authority stands
exactly where il should stand on such ques-
| tiun as this, in strict conformity with his
knowledge, his experience and bis character.
Wen, IN the same year, 1872, the present
Secretary of State, IN the strongest language,
went ON 10 reason the entire necessity, the alb
salute necessity ot Carrying the principle of
specification IN laying duties as far as posi-
BILE. Standing here in this place, MIR. Buch-
anan stid--"i am not only opposed to any
uniform scale of Gd pdi0rem duties, but TO any
and all except in cases where from the nature
oil the article imported il Is not possible TO
lay any but an at UdiOTem duty Hear what
the honorable gentleman declared OH that oc-
Casion:
II am (said Mr.. 81 not only opposed TO
any uniform scale ot dd UGiOrom. but To any
AMI all adj vaorem duties whatever, except
whcIe from the nature OF the article imported
1t Is not possible to subject il 10 a specific
duty. Our own severe experience has taunht
Us lesson on this subject which we ought not
soon TO forget. cannot refrain from advert
ing TO some OF my reasons for this opinion.
Our at vaiorem system has produced great
frauds upon the revenue, whilst ii has driven
TIE regular American merchant from the hand,
ol HE agents OF British manufacturers. The
American importer produces his invoice To
TIE Collector, containing the actual pIice at
which the imports are coll .cted abroad; and
he pays The fair and regular duty upon this in
voice. Not 50 with The British agent. The
iVg"esn manufacturer, III his invoice, reduces
the price oil the articles which lac intends To
import into our country To the lowest possible
standard which he thinks will enable them 10
pass through the Custom house without being
seized for fraud: aud the business has hitherto
been managed with SO much ingenuity as GEN
eIdliy 10 escape detection. The consequence |
~, that The British agent passes the goods OF
has employer through The Custom house on tn. |
payment OF a much lower duty than the lair |
MERCHANT * compelled 10 nav. In |
tins manner lac is undersold in the market by
the foreigner, and thus driven from the com |
petition, whilst the revenue Ia fnudulentIS re-
duoed
Again al valorem duties deprive the A.
m mean mataiactuTer OF nearly all the benefits
OF incidental protection where il is most re- |
quTed. When the business OF The country |
Is depressed, as it is at present, and when The |
price oi foreign articles sinks to far less than
ilelr cost, your duty sinks in the same propor /
non, and YOU are also deprived OF revenue al /
Tie Time wien Il Is most needed
Our own experience, therefore, ought 10 /
nave convinced us that, whenever il is posi- /
bic, from the nature of the article, we ought
10 substitute specific for AL valorem duties |
lhese continue TO be the same upon the same
articles, notwithstanding the constant fluctul
atoms IN prices, they afford a steady re venue
To TIE country aud nN equally steady ncideIi.
idl protection. When commodities are usu-
ally sold by weight OF measure, you may al.
Ways subject them TO a specific duty; and this
AWAY ought 10 be done.
Let Us, then, abandon the idea of uniform
horizontal scale Of adj valorcm duties: and
whether the duties be high or low, let US re-
turn TO the ancient practice of the govern
menl. Let as adopt wise determinations:
AMI, whenever this can be done impose spc-
cific duties"
Well, sir, now let me say that it is proper
Tor MS III my judgement, before we 90 ON
THIS new aud untried system, to require the
opinions OF pnctisrd and experienced men
Who have gone before as. On Feb. IS, 1917.
the House oi Representatives ON motion of Mr..
lngham, OF Pennsylvania, came TO this resolu.
ton
February %, 1877.
On motion by MIR Ingham-
htS0ioed That the Secretary Of the Treasu-
~ DC directed 10 report TO Congress, at the
next session such measures as may be neces-
sary for the more cliectual execution OF the
laws Tor The collection OF the duties on inn.
poItedgoots, wares, and msrchanlise.
In answer 60 this Mr.. Crawford. after bay
ms recommended various new provisions for
tte prevention OF fraud. said
w hateVcI may b. the rellauce which ouoht
10 b. placed ia the efficiency of tho t,,.o,i,,.,
provisions, II is certainly prudent 10 di5nin.
i-li as lar at practicable. the list of articles
ing al yalonm duties.
The bst examination which circumstances
have permitted, has resulted i'm the conyir.
ton that the following list OF articles now
paying ad 'alorem duties. may be subjected to
specific duties"
THEN follows the list amounting 10 seventy.
one in all. (Sce Stale papen. Finsnces. ,ol