Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-01-17
THE TIMES
THE SUBJECT OF THE TARIFF

THE SUBJECT OF THE TARIFF.
AS the settlement oflhe Tariff by the
present Congress, will be topic of the
deepest Importance, and as the views of
The Secretary ofthe Treasury, and, we
presume, of the administration gener-
ally, in relation to the matter, will be
sought after by the public, we annex all
that portion of the Report of the Sec.
retary Of the Treasury, in which he dis.
cusses the particular subject.
To provide for the payment out Of
the revenue Of the instalment which
will be due to Mexico in the fiscal year
ending 3Oth June, 1852, TO secure the
raising of a fund for the gradual extin.
guishment Of our heavy public debt, and
to place the revenue on a sure basis of
sufficiency for all the expenditures of
the Government, it will be necessary to
adopt measures for increasing the rev.
enue; and the most available means TO
that end are 10 be found in raising the
duties on imports. That an economy
as rigid as may be found compatible
with the necessities of the country will
regulate the appropriations under exist
ing circumstances, cannot be doubted.
In proposing some alterations in the
existing tariff, with view, as well to
the necessary augmentation of the rev.
enue as the encouragement of industry,
l think it right to present distinctly the
views entertained on the latter subject,
in the hope that course may be adopt.
ed by the wisdom and patriotism Of
Congress, which may tend to harmon.
ize discordant feelings and promote the
general prosperity.
l. l entertain no doubt of the right
ful power of Congress TO regulate com
merce and levy imposts and duties, with
the purpose of encouraging our own in
duslry. In selecting for adoption one
of two proposed regulations of com.
merce, it would appear TO be clearly
the right of Congress to choose that
one which would in its opinion, be most
salutary to the country; and in like
manner in laying imposls and duties, it
would seem that the endeavor ought to
be to regard the interests of the whole
people, not as little but as much as pos.
sible.
1t is not question of assuming q
power not expressly granted by the
Constitution, on the ground that il may
tend TO the attainment of general end
therein expressed. Here the power TO
regulate commerce and the power TO
levy and collect duties are expressly
given, and the only question is, whether
they ough, or ough, not to be exercised
with view to the general good.
1t seems 10 me that 10 exercise these
or any other powers with any other
view, would be misuse of power and
subversive of the legitimate end of
Government.
find no obligation written in the
Constitution TO lay taxes, duties or i'm.
posts at the lowest rate that will yield
the largest revenue.
If it were true, that duty laid on q
given article with view 10 encourage
our own productions is unlawful, be-
cause it may operate, by dlscouraglng
importation, as partial prohibition
the proposition would be equally true
Of every duty laid with that intent,
whether il were above or below the
maximum revenue rate. But, as under
the power to regulate commerce it is
competent for Congress TO enact a di-
rect and total prohibition of the impor.
tation ofany article, it can be no OBJ
lection 10 an act levying duties, that il
may operate in partially preventing i'm,
portation. Whether il be wise or just
so to levy duties, is another question.
What | mean to say now is, that there
is no prohibition of it in the Conslilu.
lion. The proposition is maintained
as universally tue, that the express
grant of power to Congress gives to
that body The right of exercising that
power in such manner as in its opinion
may be most conducive to the advan
,age of the country.
AS instances of the exercise Of the
power of regulating commerce, may bt
mentioned The prohibition of importa'
lions, except at designated ports; tht
prohibition of the coasiing trade TO al
!. American vessels, not licenced and en-
rolled; the prohibition Of certain trade
10 foreign vessels under the Navigation
act of 1917; the prohibition of certain
trade to American vessels by the non
intercourse oct, and of all trade by th'
Embargo act; the drawback on the re
: expectation of fereisn goods; finally
| the prohibition of the introduction o
S adulterated drugs into the country b,