The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-10

States but those of nearly every in Eurepe
The changes which must follow the induction of
Gen. Taylor into power will affect the commercial
position Of Europe we'll that Of this and
We trust those changes will be such to strengthen
our domestic interests instead Of aiding and extend
ing the interests of Great Britain and other CONNER
cial nations of Europe. We sude to the cha nges
which will probably be made in the tariff. We oppos-
ed the passage of the tariff act of 1912 and of 1916 It
was perfectly clear in mind that neither Of those
acts was calculated to advance interests aud the
result has confirmed our first Impressions The high.
" protective character of the act of 1912 was not suf
ncenty discriminating in its provisions to give that
support to certain interests which at that time re-
qured it, and the great objection to 1t whole was
the high average rate of duty enforced and the great
change made, compared with tho previous act 1t was
neither less than act for the benefit
of generally, without extending equal
benefits to all other classes and such was particu.
larly odous. Its protective features so great
that the Eastern manufacturers almost mo uopoxed
our markets. prices for their fabrics were regulat
ed by those for similar articles Of foreign origin with
out any regard to cost Of production. Immense dvi
dends earned and declared these
monopolists and the most ex,rsvagant expenditures
made for new mills, machinery, and the most
reckless pursued. Believing that the act it
ing that profits realized under it. little
thought was given to the future. The election of
new party power in 1884, after the tariff had been
Two years in operation gave shock to the Eastern
manufacturers but still hopes high that there
would be no change in the act Of 1872 The continu
ed agitation Of tho subject by the new government
checked the speculative Of the
ers which tended very materially to lessen the effect
of the change when it came.
In August, 1885, after several months of debate in
both houies of Congress- another tariff passed. and
in December of that year went into operation. We
opposed the passage Of that act strenuousy We
did that of 1912, not but that in favor Of
great alteration in the provisions Of the first but be-
cause the many impeifections In the last aud
particularly account Of the great revolution such
a change Is contemplated would produce in many Of
our most important interests. These sudden and i'm
portant changes in our financial and commercial sys-
TENS have ever been attended vita most disastrous
consequences, and we have, in consequence of this
opposed them. No sooner do we become established
under system, and every interest becomes
TONED to II, than q change is made and every thing
has to change with 1t. No knows when IL Is safe
to commence any enterprise can depend upon
any permane ncy in any act Of Congress regulating
our most vital interests. We are therefore, opposed
TO all great alterations OF our npBncis or commercial
systems believing that any def-ce in them however
important should be gradually, rather than suddenly,
removed. The compromise act of 1892 provided for a
gradual reduction in the high rate of duty levied
der the act of 1929 and the changes brought about
that act, in ten years, were not great Is those
brought about by the act Of 1885, in period of less
than four months.
In any changes which we may hereafter propose in
the tariff act Of 1916 the objections to any
date alteration in the rate Of duty will not exist
could be advanced were . reduction necessary In
the present position Of manufacturing interests
generally, harm would arise from i'm mediate in
erase in the rate Of duty In where 1t actually
necessary for the preservation of certain bra of
industry. 1t Is pretty generally known Throughout
the length and breadth this country that We have
in Great Britain immensely wealthy and powerful ri.
walls in the manufacture Of many articles of universal
consump tion, and as rivals of course competition
runs high between them Thelow rate of duty ruling
under the tariff Of 1s46 has given our competitors
power which they never before enjoyed, and they
have used it efectuany that ng inte-
rests in this country have reached the very verge Of
ruin. We do not wish to be understood ss attrbut-
ing the existing condition Of manufacturing in
terests entirely to tbs disastrous influence OF the to
riff because such is far from belief but has been
the principal cause, and having been co. should be
sufficiently modified to remove all the defects In that
act. We want no extremes; do not require any
party lines drawn so far regards this We
want high protective tar,Tno preservation of mo.
ncpoes neither do w want free trade Is Understood