The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05
The Tariff OF '4e-Ad vaIorem Duties.

In recent article, we adverted To the tariff
of '46 and to the nature and tendency of ad "a
loren duties-the leading feature Of our present
system of revenue.
In conclusion, we declared our full belief that
the present system of imposts would, sooner or
later, overthrow the prosperity of the country
How and when this is likely to happen. we
shall now consider.
The effect of tariff of low duties, especially
when arranged on the ad Uaiorem principle, is,
temporarily, TO augment the importations of the
country-to increase the activity of commerce
and enhance the business and the prosperity Of
large cities.
The law Of '46 requires that the duty be le-
Wed on the foreign cost Of the article, except
where such actual cost is less than the market
value in the foreign country at the time Of
shipment, in which case the duty is levied up
on the latter.
Now, in the first place, as we have said.
most or very many Of the importers are foreign
ers--rnere agents OF partners Of the manufactu-
rers over sea, who consign to them their own
property, invoiced by themselves at the best
possible rates for their own advantage. which
are the lowest rates. These importers not only
have the advantage over the American of the
possession of vast capital, but also of what is
almost tantamount to pauper labor II they be
honest, they, being manufacturers, can get their
goods cheaper than the American importer pos
sibly can; and, consequently, they can not only
a, h,s 81
they pay. These goods are often accumulated
stock after a seasons business. and the owners
arc glad to realize anything on them. They
will. consequently, throw them into any mar
ket where interest prompts; and they can
ship them no where 10 ~ good advantage
as to this country, under our present tariff.
They can not only introduce them at a lower
rate, but they can ultimately crush our own in
dustry beyond the capability Of competition.
and, vampyre-like, sap the country Of its life
blood. by abstracting our capital. Having ac-
complished this, they can raise their prices here,
and lower them there. whenever il is for their
interest
Under the ad pdlOrem system, in the same as
well as different ports, the same articles pay
different rates Of daty. Different parcels. Of
the same commodity and value, have been
shipped TO different ports of the United States.
and wide difference in the appraised value
was the result while in others. in the same
State, difference Of fifty per cent appeared
between invoices from the same place of ship
ment.
Any person can see at glance what Oppor-
tunites there are for fraud, and how much un-
certainty there must be, not only as regards the
national income, but as regards our own indus
try and by this we mean all those great re-
sources which, under enlightened and equitable
legislation, require and reward capitsl--manu-
features, agriculture, and commerce.
The manufacturer, under this system, knows
not what to expect from month to month. He
may be apprised, by the next steamer, Of such
decline in his description Of products, as to
indicate, as in previous instances, combina-
ton. Of those engaged in the same branch in
England, TO cripple or knock il down in this
country, and Of course rival one. He may
hear that they are working double time, or that
shipments are large, at low quotations. Ere
long the markets are flooded, and sales forced at
merely nominal prices, while the money marke,
is not easy. He cannot sell at such rates. and
concludes 10 hold them over, il he is able TO;
but, most generally. has TO let them 20 for