Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-15

204, ,026) of foreign merchandise exported
making the aggregate of the entire export
one hundred and sixty millions sixty
five thousand nine hundred and thirty-sev
en- dollars, (S167, 7,O65, 1879 exclusive o
the above there was exported forty-twt
millions five hundred and seven tbousant
two hundred and eighty-ive dollars ($42,
5O7, ,2S5) in specie; and imported from
foreign ports five millions two hundred
and sixty-two' thousand six hundred ane
forty-three dollars, (S5, 1862, ,643.)
In my first anrtaal message to Congress
called your attention to what seemed tc
me some defects mi the present tariff, and
recommended such notifications as in my
Judgment were best adapted to remedy its
evils and promote the prosperity Of the
country. Nothing has since occurred to
change my views on this important ques-
ton.
Without repeating the arguments con-
tanned in my former message, in favor OF
discriminating, protective duties, deem it
my duty to call your attention to one or
two other considerations affecting this sub
ject. The first is, the effect of geimpor-
tations of foreign goods upon our currency.
Most of the gold of California, as fast as it
is coined, finds its way directly to Europe
in payment for goods purchased. In the
secoud place, as our manufacturing estab-
lishments are broken down by competition
with foreigners, the capital invested in
them is lost, thousands of honest and in
dustrious citizens are thrown out of en-
ployment, and the farmer to that extent is
deprived Of home market for the sale of
his surplus produce. In the third place,
the destuction of our manufactures leaves
the foreigner without competition in our
market, and he consequently raises the
price of the article sent here for sale, as is
now seen in the increased cost of iron i'm
ported from England. The prosperity and
wealth of every nation must depend upon
its productive industry. The farmer is slim
ulated to excrtion b! finding ready market
for his surplus prou ucts, and benefited by
being able to exchange them, without loss
of time or expense of transportation, for
the manufactures which his comfort or con-
venience requires. This is always done to
the best advantage where portion of the
community in which he lives is engaged in
other pursuits. But most manufactures re-
quire an amount of capital and practical
skill which cannot be commanded, unless
they be protected for time from ruinous
competition from abroad. Hence the ne
cessity of laying those duties upon import
ed goods which the Constitution authorizes
for revenue, in such manner as TO pro-
tect and encourage the labor of our own
citizens. Duties however should not be
fixed at rate so high as to exclude the
foreign article but should be so graduated
as 10 enable the domestic manufacturer fair.
" to compete with the foreigner in our own
markets, and by this competition to reduce
the price of the manufactured article to the
consumer to the lowest rate at which it can
be produced This policy would place the
mechanic by the side OF the farmer. create
mutual interchange of their respective
commodities and thus stimulate the in
dustry of the whole country, and render us
independent of foreign nations for the sup
plies required by the habits or necessities
Of the people.
Another question, wholly independent of
protection, presents itself, and that Is,
whether the duties levied should be upon
the value of the article at the place of
shipment, or,where it is practicable, spe-
cifc duty, graduated according TO quantity,
as ascertained by weight or measure. All
our. duties are at present ad palorem. A
certain per centage is levied on the price
of the goods at the port of shipment in a
foreign country. Most commercial nations
have found it indispensable, for the pur.
pose of preventing fraud and perjury, to
make the duties specific whenever the ar
or measure as to ojustiiy such duty. Leg
islaion should never encourage dishonesty
or crime. 1t is impossible that the revenue
officers at The port where the goods arc en-
tered and the duties paid should know with
certainty what they cost in the foreign
country. Yet the law requires that they
should levy the duty according tosuch cost.
They are therefore compelled to resort to
very unsatisfactory evidence to ascertain
what that cost was. Theytake the invoice
the importer, attested by his oath, as the
best evidence of which the nature of the
case admits. But every one must see that
the invoice may be fabricated and the oath
by which it is supported false, by reason Of
which the dishonest importer pays a part
only of the duties which are paid by the
honest one, and thus indirectly receives
from the treasury of the United States re.
ward for his fraud and perjury. The re-
ports OF the Secretary of the Treasury here
tofoye made on this subject show concu-
siyely that these frauds have been practised
TO great extent. The tendency is to de-
stroy that high moral character for which
oar merchants have long been distinguish.
ed; to defraud the Government of its re.
venue to break down the honest import
er by dishonest competition; and, final
ly, to transfer the business of importation
to foreign and irresponsible agents, to the
great detriment Of our own citizens.
therefore again most earnestly recommend
the adoption of specific duties, wherever il
is practicable. or home valuation, TO pre-,
vent these frauds.
would also again call your attention tt
the fact that the present tariffin some case.
imposes higher duty upon the raw mate
rial imported than upon the article manu-
factured from it, the consequence Of which
is that the duty operates to the encourage
ment of the foreigner and the discourage
ment of our own citizens.
For full and detailed information in re
gard to the general condition of our Indial
affairs, respectfully refer you to the re
port of the Secretary of the Interior and th
accompanying documents.
The Senate not having thought proper t
ra,ify the treaties which had been negoti
ated with the tribes of Indians in Califor