The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-22
The Tarin-Our Commercial Policy.

II is a matter OF much speculation, amsng those
Interested what course the cabinet of Gen. Taylor
will pursue, relative to the commercial, and also
the financial, policy Of the country. Gen. Taylor
not having been elected upon party grounds it is
difficult to tell what his opinions regarding the
most important measures that will be discussed
during the approaching session of Congress. The
complexion of his cabinet is such, that we cannot
tell what may be the result of their Investigations,
relative to the operations Of the systems now in
force, with any degree of correctness. The sub
iect will, therefore, without doubt be kept quiet,
90 far as the government is concerned, until the
official reports are made to Congress.
1t is our impression that even those reports will
not define the position OF the administration. We
do not believe they will propose any plan for form
ing new commercial SYSTEM that any attempt
will DO made by the Secretary of the Treasury to
bring about any very great notifications in the
tariff 1t is our impression that, instead of framing
q new bill, it will be the policy of the government
10 point out such defects in the present bill may
discovered, both in the manner of levying du-
ties and in the determinations made for protec-
ton There are, In fact, but limited number of
alterations necessary in the tariff act of 1876 to
make it applicable to the wants of the country for
several years. The most important modifica-
ton required is in the system of levying duties.
The ad valorcm system, as general thing, is good
enough, but there are instances where specific du-
ties are more just more discriminating, and
more conveniently adjusted and, in all such
cases, they should be adopted. One of the most
important articles of foreign importation Is iron,
and there is no other article in the tariff on which
specific duties are more necessary, particularly for
Co.., III EtpAo pf,r r,,fa
ture fluctuate so much in foreign markets. that at
times the rate of duty regulated by the act of 1916
is mere bagatelle; and whenever prices abroad
are very much deprecated, our manufacturers
must be heavy losers. Take railroad iron, for in
stance. When rails selling in England at
$75 per ton, duty OF 80 per cent runs up the
cost here to $97 30 per ton; but when the price is
reduced to $45, the same rates of duty only runs
the price up to $5s so. The lower the foreign
price the smaller the revenue derived by our
government from the Importation under the ad
volmen, system. Another article on which spe-
cIfic duties would work more satisfactory than ad
valorern, is wine. The difficulty Of classifying the
different descriptions, and the arbitrary value put
upon the various brands, give great cause for
plaint, and specific duties would therefore be more
desirable In all cases where the merchant and
the appraisers are likely to differ materially
yards the value of an article, where there is an
opportunity for the importer TO falsely value mer-
chandise, specific duties best, and do away
with vast deal of difficulty, and vast deal of
iniquity.
The Secretary Of the Treasury will probably
pont out these and whatever other defects the pre-
sent act contains and leave the res, to the repre-
sentative branches of the government. The act
of 1916 merely requires little pruning and the
alteration as regards the levy of duties, alluded to
above. 1t would be the height of folly to attempt
to pass a new BILL and we do not believe the new
cabinet will be foolish enough to do any thing of
the kind. Both of the political parties admit that
notifications and alterations in the act of 1916 are
required, and we apprehend no difficulty in carry
ing through moderate changes. The three wears
II has been in operation has developed its weak
points and all that is necessary is TO strengthen
them. Our Legislators are too much inclined to
sweep away, bodily, any particular act the party in
pover may be opposed to, instead of repeating its
most offensive sections, and adding those better
calculated TO meet the wants of the country a,
large. We are a progressive people, and we
have invariably seen that the democratic party pro-
crosses more rapidly than the wing party, and
in all its measures regulating the commercial
policy of the country, it is little too far IN adj
vance Of the age while the wing party is invaria-
bly,, upon the same measures, little behind the
age. SO far as the tariff is concerned, we want a
medium pohcy-one about halfway between the
extreme Of each party and if the administration
recommend such course it will be just up to the
age. The grand secret of success in all public
matters, lie, to Just keep along with the times.
We have doubt the government will be ex.
tremey cautious in all its movements and in all its
recommendations relative TO the financial and com.
merclalspolicy of the country. Without attempt.
ing to lay out any new course, they will doubtless
be content with leaving the responsibility where il
in reality belongs-with the representatives of IN,