The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-15

! N'''' 'P~h'''hb NluSS-
Without repeating the arguments con-
tanned in my former message, in favor OF
discriminating protective duties, deem
1t my duty to call your attention to one or
two other considerations affecting this
subject. The first is the effect of large
lm2ortations of foreign goods upon our
currency. Most of the gold from Cali
tornia, us fast as it is coined, finds its way
directly to Europe i'll payment for goods
purchased. In the second place, as our
manufacturing establishments are broken
down by competition with foreigners, the
capital invested in them is lost, thousands
OF honest and industrious citizens are
thrown out of employment, aud the farm
cr to that extent is deprived Of home
market for the sale of his surplus produce.
In the third place, the destruction of our
manufactures leaves the foreigner without
competition in our market, and he consc-
quentIy raises the price of the article sent
here Tor sale, rs is now seen in the incrcas-
ca cost OF iron imported from England.
Ihc prosperity and wealth of every nation
must depend upon its productive industry.
lhe farmer Is stimulated to eXertion bv
hndmg ready market for his surplus
| products, and benefited by being able TO
exchange them, without lose of time or
expense OF Transportation, for the manufac-
lures which his comfort or convenience
requires. This is always done to the best
advantage where Il portion Of the COM
munlty i'll which he lives is enparcd in
! pursuits. But most manufactures REQUIRE
an amount OF capital and practical skill
| which cannot be commanded, unless tbcy
be protected for 4 time from ruinous com
petition from abroad, Hence the ncces-
sity of LAYING those duties upon imported
| goods which the Constitution authorizes
for revenue, III such manner rs to pro-
tcct and encourage the labor of our own
citizens. Duties however should not bc
fixed at rate SO high as to exclude the
foreign article, but should be 50 graduated
as TO enable The domestic manufacturer
fairly 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 10y the side of
the farmer, create n mutual interchange
OF their respective commodities, and mas
stimulate the industry OF the whole coun-
try, and render. us independent of foreign
nations for the supplies required by the
-i.''e''r3-Vr necessities OF the peoplc.
Another question. wholly mdv,... mt
of protection, presents itself aui ;a: .-.
whether the duties levied ,Huu.G Io .lrn
the value Of tia article ut the p.a.e of
shipment, or, where it is pravjica'ic, "
specific duty, r@dHatcd uccor,ng to
quantity, rs asc.ra.ued by weight O.. u,. as
nrc. All our dutics are ut present od gaiJ-
rem. y certain per cent"go is levied on
the price ofthc goods at tho port OF ship
mcnt in foreign country. Most com
mefcial nations have found it indispcnsa-
ble, for the purpose of preventing fraud
and perjury, to make the duties specific
whenever the article is of such uniform
value in weight or measure rs to Justify
such duty. Legislation should never en-
courage dishonesty or crime. 1t is imposi-
bic that the revenue officers at tho port
where the goods are entered and the du-
ties paid should know with certainty what
they cost in foreign country. Yet the
law requires that they should levy the
duty according to such cost-Thev are
therefore compelled to resort to very I'M
satisfactory evidence to ascertain what
that cost was. They take the invoice OF
the importer, attested by his oath, as the
lest 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
rea o. of which the dishonest importer pays
n part only of the duties which are paid
by the honest one, and thus indircc " re-
celves from the treasury o'thc United
State n reward for his fraud and perjury.
The reports of the Secretary OF the Trea.
suy heretofore made on tbs subject show
concIusivcly that these frauds have been
practiced to great extent The tendency
is to destroy that high moral character
for which our merchants have long been
distinguished; to dcfraud the Government
Of its revenue; to break down .ia honest
importer by dishonest competition; and,
finally, TO transfer the business of impor-
iation TO foreigu and irrcspnneihle agents.
to the great dctriment Of Our own citizens.
therefore again most earnestly recon-
mend the adoption of specific duties,
wherever it is practicable, or home
valuation, to prevent these frauds.
would also again call your attention
to the fact that the present tariff in some
cases imposes higher duty upon the
raw material imported than upon the ar
ticle manufactured from it, the consequent
ce of which is that the duty operates 10
the encouragement Of the foreigners and
the Encouragement of our own citizens.
For full and detailed information in
regard to the general condition of our
Indian affairs, | respectfully refer you to
tho report Of the Secretary Of the Interior
| and the ACCOMMODATING documents