The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-06-06
The Tariff

Although at the commencement OF the pres
ent session OF Congress the President recon-
mended in amendment to the tariff OF 1916
with view of extending adequate protec-
ton TO Home industry, still the subject until
recently has remained in u perfect state OF
quietude.
The objections urged to the tariff act OF '46
are numerous; and experience now teaches
us that duies arranged on the ad valerem
system, while they are indefinite, uncertain
and fuctuating, do not afford sf1icienL pro-
lection to the many industrial pursuits of our
Country. Duties thus arranged are uncer-
tain and indefinite because they are governed
by the fluctuations of home and foreign trade.
As duties under the existing tariff are govern
ed by the price of an article in the country
ON which it is imported. an undue advan-
tage is afforded the importers OF articles OF
foreign manufacture, because the matter OF
fixing the price upon them rests entirely in
their own hands.
To this enormlty the people Of PennsyIva-
mia, shortly after the passage ofthe act: most
streneously objected, and now that there is IL
hope for its removal, they are active in their
exertions 10 effect it. Petitions are beng cir
culated among the people Of that State, urg-
ing the abatement OF this EVIL, and setting
forth that while the revenue is defrauded by
foreign importers under the advantages gained
by them from the system Of collecting duty
governed in its extent by the slated value of
goods imported, in the country where they
were manufactured, the effect Of The system
is proving disastrous to their industrial pur
suits in which labor constitutes the worth Of
their products.
What has been the effect of the tariff of '46
upon the interests of our Couutry2 II we
are correctly informed, says the Albany Reg
ister debt OF from sixty TO one hundred mil
lions has been contracted abroad within the
last three years. We are sending over stocks
by every European steamer, TO sell for goods
and increase it still more. The price Of cot
ton is high and iabrIcs low, and the mills are
stopping in every part Of the country. Our
enterprislng young men, thrown out Of EN-
plcI mrnt here, are taking refuge in Califor
eAiu Ctbl oLA WIN t44Nll1 wv
worth for every one they send back Our
crops Of gain this fall may aid to adjust in
land balances, but will net pay our debt
abroad Even the new Pacific State. is MAX
ing arrangements to procure her supply of
flour from Chill. To such an extremity has
our country been reduced by the exercise OF a
tariff upon the ad valorem principles! We
can suffer the evils already brought upon us,
but it is full time to devise means by which
threatened ones may be avoided. The peo-
pie of Pennsylvania have moved in the mat
'er and their example will be followed to eff
feet. -
Congress cannot consistently disre~ wy
petitions Of the people on Thu -''"ieo'c Eve
ry obstacle which tLe~preseht tarlh throws
in the way of the advancement of the pro-
dlcino interests of our country. should be re-
moved, that our manufacturers, laborerS:
mechanics and farmers can pursue their vo-
cations, interrupted only by the changes oil
the seasons and domestic trade, and not be
brought into degrading competition with the
poor, haIcstarved operatives Of Europe