Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-28

Britain, total increase OF ordinary revenue, as
compared with the year which ended 9th July,
1916, amounting to 42,6l5,S7l; OF which mot
withstandiag the remission of the duties upon corn)
no less than 81 ,Sl2,773 comes under the heads OF
customs and excise, arising from increased con-
sumption. Thus the effect Of Sir Robert PeePs
financial arrangements was 10 free the country from
more than 81, 800, 900 of annual taxation, whilst
the ordinay revenue of the last year exceeds by
nearly one million sterling the revenue OF the year
previous to the commencement OF his reductions.
These are Ifacts-let political economists discover
the causes which produced them.
A schedule of duties on articles Of food payable
in 1912, compared with those payable in 1916, eX-
hibits the following results. Live animas-viz.
oxen, cows, sheep, &c.-and meat, both sailed and
fresh, which were prohibited from being imported
at the former PERIOD admitted free at the lat
ter bacon taxed Z IS. 4d. per cwt. in lS42 and
lard, charged S. per cwt., admitted free in 1916 !;
butter and cheese reduced one-half; cocoa two
thirds coffee from Is. 3D. per ID. to Cd. currants
from 1 3s. ID per cwt. 10 l5s.; hams from FL
9s id. per cwt. to Is. rice from lbs. Cd. per cwt
to ls; spirits from 9l 2s l0d. per gallon TO l5s.
and British Colonial sugar from Z S. ID. per cwt
10 lis. The duties on imported grain were reduc-
ed in 1912, and in 1916 provision made for
their total repeal in ls49. Sir Robert adds, that
the indications of . that mysterious disorder which
has affected 10 serious extent the potato crop,
! and which was first exhibited in September and
!. October, 1916" induced him to propose the re-
peal of the corn laws. "At public meeting held
in Dublin, on the 3lst Of October, 1915, at which
: the Duke of Leinster presided, it was resolved
:. That ii had been ascertained beyond doubt that
famine, and consequently pestilence, are imme-
diately imminent, unless the Government, without
hesitation or delay, take the most prompt mea-
sures TO provide for this people," Subsequent
investigation, by Professor Lindley and Dr. Play
fair, established the fact that oRehaf Of the actual
potato crop of Ireland was destroyed. 1.-The ex-
perience of other countries says Sir Robert " in
which the blight appeared, tended to show that it
was not limited to single season." This consde-
ration, together with /" the conflict Of opinion the
principle OF a restrictive policy; many concurrng
proofs that the wages of labor do not vary with the
price OF corn: the contrast presented IN two
cessive periods of dearth and abundance, in the
health, morals, tranquility and general prosperity
OF the whole community; serious doubts whether,
in the present condition of this country, cheapness
and plenty are not ensured for the future in high
er degree by the free intercourse in corn than by
restrictions on It's importation for the purpose of
giving protection TO domestic agriculture - all
these things led the exPremier 10 propose the abo-
iilon of the corn laws; and although by so doing
ne lost Doth power and place, he probably saved
the country from the most dreadful of all caamities,
intestine commoton; and is entitled to the appro-
baton OF his countrymen, as a statesman who does
not refuse TO profit by experience though his doing
so should lead 10 the rejection of long-cherished
opinions, and the charge Of weakness and inconsis-
Iency, and as patriot who puts SELF out of the
question when the public good requires the sacrifice.
The following table viii serve 10 show the great
increase in the consumption Of articles Of su6sist-
ence between the years 1871 and 1916 an increase
much more rapid than thai of the population. The
amounts were entered for home consump-
ton in the years lS4l and 1916, respectively: