Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-01-01

On SAT- 7O03O 90
sl,5s9,sss 90
The gain as follows: a9.. zoo so
On lHoolens oSJsoso m
On hemp manufactured 4oo0o W
ssloel5 50
The very small Increase the staples OF woolens iron
/and unm ,nufactured hemp compared with the vast
rcasioned 10 orr production and the dmunion thereby OF
our power of consumption cannon ran 10 attract
while on the other articles named the revenue and produc
tion have both suffered materially 1t is believed that the
could greatly increased by increasing the oues
on these and other articles
1ices on which they can be conveniently laid The effects
of the present ad valoem system are two,iod VIZ on inc
revenue, and own productions Experience mas
demonstrated that looking exclusively 10 the revenue
specific duty easily assessed more favorable 10
commerce more equal and less exposed frauds than any
other system OF such duty is not laid without rel
the average OF the commodity Ihls system
obyates the difficulties and controversies which attend
appaisement Of the foreign market value of each invoice
and imposes equal duty equal quantities OF the same
commodity Under the ad vaorem SYSTEM goods OF the same
kind and quality and between which there cannot be dii-
ference in value in the market al given time never
theess may often pay different amounts OF duty mus the
hazards Of trade unnecessarily increased.
To levy ad valoem duty foreign valuation equally
the different ports is believed BIO impossible That the
standard OF value at any TWO pos precisely ie same
ed frauds upon the great and appre
hended such frauds have been and habtualy and
extensively pracsed The statements annexed (marked
o. which invite especial attention. exhibit in strong
light the dangers which this system is necessarily
posed
As the standard of value every port depend
upon he average Of the invoices that passed there every
successful attempt differentiation renders all
that follow it, The consequences only that the
suffers that certain sum ID in effect annually given
by the public among dishonest importers premium for
their dishonesty but that fair American importers may be
gradually driven of the business and their places
piled by unknown and INSCRIPTIONS foreign adventures As
long ago as 1901 Mr. Galan urged the extension Of spec
nc duties ground iepca,cdo the prevention of
undervauaton. In his report OF that year. he used the fol-
lowing language "Wthout any view increase Of
venuo but order guard fur possible against the
goods being moderated the invoices il would be eligible
lay specific duties all such articles paying duties nd
valorem as may be susceptible of alteration" that
time specific duties we're already laid spirits and wines
sugar. moasses tea, coffee, salt, pepper STEEL nails and
spikes hemp coal cordage, and several other articles
duty the collector within whose district merchandise
be imported entered the dutiabe value of such
ance with the provisions OF existing laws.
By the I'd section OF the act OF 10Th August, Si6 is
provided that Tin appaising oil goods al any port OF the
United States, heretofore subjected specific duties but
upon which ad vaorem duties imposed by the act OF the
thireh July last entitled An act reducing the duty on inn
ports and for other purposes reference shall be had oyaues
and invoices Of similar goods imported during the last fiscal
year, under such general and uniform regulations or the
prevention oauds nderYalra,ons as shall be pgescri
ed by the Secretary the Treasury
It will observed that these last rected provisions 10 not
authorize the evyng OF duties the value OF similar er
chandse in preceding year. but merely TO such
value and the invoices for the OF aiding IN the scer-
tainmen Of the value at the time fixed by existing laws
That was by circular issued by predecessor dated
9th July lS determined 10 be the time OF The shipment OF
the goods Ny predecessor issued three circulars calling the
attention of the officers of the 10 the provisions OF
the I'd section of the act 10th of August 1896 dated
the llh AID one the 18th November S4 and the last the
18th December lS45 and there be doubt exhausted
all practicable means for preventing INTERPRETATIONS and
tons and ons These efforts have been continued by
he fgals Ihs system are such
been. or can be found eitectua for tire purpose
In England is believed 10 nave long been settled point
that spss6c aed duties (which ad v!orem on an un,
assumed In every respect better for revenue and
'sde or system, -, ,,o,r,,,or i. ,,o s,ri.
ed snnsxed II tends 10 ag-
In price which are 80 injurious
Nigh the duty is high also;
Joint, the duty is low in proper
% of tho kind. II the duty
zee, II renders the extremes of Huctua-
ON eich otaer by per centage on the
crate of the duty. II the fuctuation abroad
80 the range is Of course $50. specific du
you'd leave the range still 800. But at an ad va
80 per cent the highest point would be s65, and the
ST s26; making range of ESQ., On every account
cngy recommend the system of specific duties
all al. Is to hch they be conveniently applied
g. On those articles on which an ad vaorun, duty
tanned onEend thatit be levied the market value
In the pnep markets of country at the time OF
arrival It would be easier to ascertain at our ports such
market value than II is 10 ascertain what was that OF for
eign country past me Every importer should declare
the value of his goods and by giving the option TO the Go
take them the value thus declared levy
che duty the actual value probable that few cases OF
naturalization would In connection with this sub
ject, as measure tenolnR 20 prcfenon q! riuo
error and OF uniformity valuation the various
ports Of our extended Coast would recommend the ap
pontment OF appraisers large whose duty shall be
visit from time TO me the different houses inter
changing views supcyntend the mode of appasas and
suggest such practical reforms DC deemed necessary
10 just and equal enforcement OF the revenue laws The
provisions of the Constitution which require that all duties
and mposs shall be Uniform throughout the United States
cannot with home valuation, be fully and e,ctualy
enforced in practice without system Of general super
vision perfect in this respect than can be established
under the existing provision OF law, which merely gives the
Secretary the Treasury authority direct the appraisers
for any collection district attend in any other collection
district for the purpose appraisng any goods wares and
merchandise imported therein.
a. The laying lower duty upon non-enumerated articles
Than Imposed upon those which enumerated leads TO
attempts at disguise and TO controversies and
litigation which would DO avoided by mankng the duty
non-onumerated articles higher than on the others.
Different of duty manufactures OF the same ma
eria az also announcement and same remark applies TO
she different rates imposed upon the manufactures wool
and manufactures of wersted
The effect OF laying the same higher ~. s..s
the raw material than is imposed .a.e.. ar
Gle, TOO evidently tends. s,s. ~a
with that ~ - i-a