The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-15

This table embraces the entire existence of the tariff
bill OF 1912, for which could procure the estimates In
1914 our population had increased to IS 500 900 souls
The revenue collected per annum S29,l43,6 35,
amounting to 81 81 per head, thus showing decrease OF
revenue as compared with the low duties Of 1900. OF
81 II per heads and aggregate loss of revenue,
cordng 10 population of Sc, 535 900 per annum. II your
had not been diminished by the increased duties
OF 1872 assuming the basis of the calculation the
amount of revenue collected under the low duties OF
1900, you should have collected under that bill 4967S,
635 per annum, instead OF $780, 1868 per annum. which
you did collect II is also worthy of especial observation,
that the decline OF revenue according to population was
greater under the tariff of 1912 than it under the
tariff OF 1924. Why is that the case' Because the du
ties upon imports higher under the tariff of 1912 than
they under the tariff OF 1924 Thus establishing the
fact, az humby submit, that every increase of duty
upon imports has been, and must be, followed by de-
cline OF revenue, according to population, when the duty
levied is above the revenue point.
Now, sir, cannot say certainly, that the low duties
levied upon imports by the bill of 1900,
baced the exact revenue point and raised the largest
amount of which could have been collected by
duty on imports. will not say But do contend,
and have demonstrated that collected
according population them than has been collected
SINCE and hence infer that the low rate of duty of that
period appoximated more closely the exact revenue
point than any subsequent duty has done.
WE'LL sir, il your duties upon imports now taxed are
above the point and you increase them, reduc
ton OF revenue according to population the inevitable
consequence That must be the result II the experience
OF the past enables us to Judge with the least certainty OF
the future.
To attempt TO provide for the payment of the war debt
by increasing the duty upon imports now taxed, would
therefore prevent increase of revenue, corresponding
with the rapid increase OF population This must u
naely weaken our financial resources, and finally end
in ridiculous failure. Let not rely upon such expe
dents but let rely upon the certain mode OF pro-
ducng the required amount of revenue by evying duty
upon the free list.
Mr.. Chairman, it may be supposed that the enormous
amount of revenue collected under the low duties Of 1909
was the result OF entire dependence upon foreign manufac
What amount OF manufactured goods produced in
the year $780, between the years 1900 and 1910 have
no means of ascerainng no statistics having been com
piled between those years. but they must have been
siderable Tench Coke, who engaged in compiling
statistics manufactures between the years 1910 and
1879 and whose authority will not be questioned, says
In the course of the numerous and diversified opera
tons occasloned by the deliberate execution of this digest
and statement constant and close attention has been
applied to those facts which have occurred throughout
the Union, since the autumn of the year 1910, from
which Judgment Of the condition of manufactures OF
the United States in the current year, 1913, might be
safely formed 1t has resulted in thorough conviction
that after allowing for the Interruptions to the impora-
ton OF certain Materials the several branches of
manufactures in the States, territories and districts have
advanced upon medium the full of 10 per centum
which would give an aggregate for this year, OF $2O7-
$4,000 .41F
But It's best make ample allowances for mani
fest repetition of articles which inextrcaby involved in
the subordinate returns sincere and we-refeced final
opinion is respectfully offered that the whole people of the
aSaa %a ef n his y ~a % 5 S9Sa ss a
lars, or 4o,00o,0Oo OF pounds sterling money!"
This prodigious manufacturing interest not the
growth of three or four years t commenced with the
colonies, and strengthened with the government and IN
the year amounted to 25 per head for every man.
and child in the republic. 1t not, therefore,
the absence OF manufacturing establishments in America,
or dependence upon Europe for manufactured goods
which produced the immense revenues under the low duties
of 1900 Far from it, 1t but the legitimate result OF
unshacked and the unrestricted interchange OF
the products of different countries upon principles of
merclal freedom combined with system OF finance,
looking to revenue only. Now, sir, if permit the
duties TO remain they the will increase to
some extent with the increasing population But you
reduce the duties 10 standard then the increase
OF revenue will be rapid, bearing exact proportion to
the growing necessities OF your rapidly increasing popu
aton Ii these views be correct great will be the folly
of that man who recedes inch from the ground we
occupy, and wise Will be the statesman who Is the
first to advance another step in the great highway OF
commercial freedom Sir. trust the financial officer OF
this government, at least will have the moral courage to
meet this crisis Let him submit no new financial meas
to Congress; and if fail in the performance OF our
duty in providing the required amount Of revenue the
responsibility falls upon us but If he yields TO temporz
ing expedients, the responsibility rests upon him.
Mr. Chairman, there other reasons independent
of diminished revenue why the duties upon imports
should not be increased lnmy opinion there other rea
against il equally conclusive If high duties have
heretofore diminished your imports and thereby your
revenue according population they have also diminish
ed your exports greater ratio. shall enter upon
theoretical to prove this position appeal to facts,
ing upon the correctness OF my investigations, and
their patriotism, have no fear that shall again
resort to high dutes either for any other pur
pose ltshg
now call the attention of the committee to the follow
ing tabular of annual EXPORTS embracing pc
Rod OF years. under the very low duties of 1900
Table exports from 1900 10 1907, imu,pe, during tn
isteHce Of a revenue tariff
1901 s4,ll5,925