Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-08
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

Amongst the business most urgently demanding
the attention of Congress at its present session IS
the revision of the Tariff by substituting, in all
practicable cases, specific for ad 9alorems duties on
products and manufactures imported from Foreign
Countries In the discussions upon extraneous
questions and others Of less consequence, and GER
tainy Of less Immediate urgency, this measure, 50
important as means Of relieving the pressure upon
certain Of our home manufactures, and the only
means. Of preventing extensive frauds on the reye-
nues through the differentiation Of imported goods,
has been almost entirely lost sight Of.
Our attention has been especially directed to the
subject by the reception, yesterday from respect
able and reliable source, Of the subjoined article,
which we should adopt but for the particular know
ledge it displays Of commercial details with which,
it must be generally understood, we are not as ia
miliar as the writer evidently is.
If our endorsing his conclusions and seconding
his recommendations would assist the writer in his
laudable object, we should not hesitate to express
our entire concurrence IN his views.
Among the tabular statements accompanying the
last Annual Report Of the Secretary of the Treasury
there were several intended to show the nominal d.
minution Of the prices of various foreign articles
since the universal nd valorem tariff Of lS46 went
into operations but thus far they have failed TO at
tract attention in or out Of Congress- partly rom the
time occupied by the all-engrossing topic OF the Pre-
sidential election but especially from the en-
tire unwllingness of members even to entertain the
idea that any part Of that somuch-cherished mea-
sure of the last Administration is susceptible OF cor
rection or improvement in any Of its features With
Mr. Walker the late Secretary Of the Treasury, the
idea Of general 0d valorem tariff, upon the princi
pies of an equitable classification Of Import Duties
had so absorbed his faculties and attention that
commercial advice or experience was permitted to
be brought to his aid in the arrangements OF its de-
tails. Men Of enlarged experience and practical
Judgment predicted at the time the impracticability
of carrying into entire operative effect tariff OF
such character, and others deplored the encour-
agement it would hold out to the still greater extern
sion Of that reckless swearing at the consular offices
and the custom-h houses by many importers, who too
commonly act upon, and even occasionally defend,
the doctrine that there is wide difference between
custom-house oath and all Others, whether taken in
court or elsewhere. This is not to be construed as
general charge-by no means; but, lest it be con-
strued as such, and seized upon as On argument
against the position here assumed the intention is
application it is only necessary to appeal to the
Il perience of business men in any commercial city
tits perhaps improbable that any modification Of
the tariff Of 1916 will be effected this season nor
ist the intention Of the writer to urge, against the
apparently fixed determination of Congress, the
usual topics in favor of that great national modifca
tion which would if accomplished restore the for
mer usefulness and Importance of many of our manu-
featuring institutions, without operating in the
least degree injurousy against the other interests
of the country. The present object is to point out
the defects of the existing ad valorem tariff, in the
universally of its features, leading it does to
frauds of the most extensive character not SO much
upon the Government as upon the fair trader, who
too often finds himself struggling against compet-
ton that he in vain seeks to counterva or investi
gate fla Government possesses power to tax its
citizens in any shape it is its duty to see that such
taxes are equally levied upon all classes of those
citizens; and especially is this enjoined upon our
own Government by the Constitution and the public
sentiment. 1t is grave charge to say that the ar
Irregularities referred tor to speak more plainly,
frauds-are perpetrated at the custom houses Of
the United States nevertheless the charge is sus-
ceptble of proof without the necessity Of desgnat-
ng particular time place, or men, and without in
the slightest degree duplicating the revenue officers
of the United States, who are universally known
and respected for the faithful and conscientious dis
charge of their duties. These frauds originate
mostly in foreign countries and are of nature to
set at defiance the vigilance and skill Of the whole
corps Of collectors, appraisers &C. in the United
States. The remedy lies in such modification of
the existing law win restore the specific duties to
every article, the nature and appearance Of which
renders it almost impossible for consuls or for the
officers of the customs to ax to it the fair market
value for the assessment Of the ad valorem duty.
Butte the proofs
From the tables referred to we select for this
communication the following relative to cigars
54 Imported. Tariff Thou 1.s;. value. Aver