The daily union., 1852-12-12
Mr. Brooks, Tariff Proposition.

d,c,on of the duties upon Imports viewed IN connexion
,h i,s ostensibe aim, s among the most instructive
;lsns in the political history OF the country. The
confident prediction OF Mr. Vinton, the leader of his par
), tba,day, that the tariff OF 1916 would not yield
venue of $4,000 0Oo-the formal assurance OF Secre-
v Meredith in his report of lS49, that the revenue
d his tariff would not equal the expenditures Of the
nmen, and that at the end OF the fiscal year 1851 de-
s.ocv Of l 900 900 would exis-atiord striking con-
~ ,o tho complaints OF the present whg representative
f.ou New York This system of revenue, which was
.,,osea bv the whig party because il would ruin the
,onr,rv and bankrupt the government. is assaled
~ he whg party because Of its excessive yield OF rev.
snue, Forebodngs OF deficiency in 1916 answer
a hy complaints OF an accumua,ing surplus in 1852
The language of Mr. Brooks is just commentary on the
n,s5ietops of Mr.. vnton The ianciful speculations
:, Secretary Meredith contrast beautifully with the
financial statement Of Secretary Corwin How fully do
events expose the shorsghedness OF whg politicians
and how ,riumphanly do they vindcate the wisdom OF
democratic measures
The proposition of Mr. Brooks, originating with a
whg member and supported by arguments deduced from
complaints of the successful operation of the tariff
Of lS46 might well excite the surprise and awaken the
SUSPICION Of the House Undoubtedly, this proposition
was covert assault the free-rade principle of the
ar of is46 and WAS designed TO increase the protection
10 The interest The ostensble object of
The ntoposilion was reduction OF the revenue but Mr.
Brooks failed TO indicate whether this end TO be
conplished by a dimnution or augmentation OF the
dp,ies If the duties be increased until they approx
mate prohbiion the will certainly be lessened
and il the duties be diminished until they approach
free trade the revenue of the government will certain
ly be reduced Pressed by Mr. Millson for informa-
lion as TO The mode which he meant TO adopt Mr. Brooks
evaded categorical reply by confusion Of ideas and
statement which contributed but little to alay the sus-
pciou Of the honesty Of his purpose. II Mr.. Brooks
has become a sincere convert to the democratic pol.
icy Of free trade, why did he not frankly confess
the errors OF the past, repudiate the antiquated
dogma of protection, and openly proclaim pur-
pose TO reduce the rates OF impost' Why did be
not accept the amendment of Mr. Meade and agree 10
instruct his proposed mitiee 10 report bill for the
gsnsrg reduction OF the duties The fictitious character
which Mr. Brooks assumed to act did not escape the
penetration OF the vgilant democracy OF the House, and
he suffered the penalty OF attempt Disguise himself
n the lion's skin He encountered the blows of men
whose blows are not jest. Bayly, Milson, Meade,
Woodward, CDgman, Dean, Brown, and Richardson
we're prompt in shielding thetarie OF 40 from the nsdi
Gus stab OF its ahess friend The of6cous proaer of Mr.
Bookss aid in remedyng the defects of measure which
he always opposed and heartily hates, was coureousy
ieclned could he press his services on the homes,
inends OF free trade The proposition OF Mr. Brooks was
reced and, although renewed with change OF phrase
ology, will doubtless be rejected again.
is, indeed quite clear that in dsposing of the subject
Of The tariff udeousy, Congress rely. in large
AT II he afiou
which collected by the Treasury Department in the dis
charge of its duties The facts and figures which appear
the records Of that department. or which lie within
range OF it's operations and inquiries form the principal
ha upon which Congress will naturally proceed in the
DISCUSSION and revision OF the tariff Now the experience
the last three years has abundany proved that the
enocratc party Congress canno, safely rely upon the
views or the statements upon the subject Of the tariff Of
bat department while in s present hands. Hardly a
democrat in either house Of Congress will agree that the
treasury reports of the last three years have been sound
accurate or reliable The facts and figures forth in
hse documents have been distorted. perverted, dscolor
Cd The opinions set forth have been whig errors
Now, all this is soon to be changed The country is
Ooh 10 have Secretary OF the Treasury who will be
ademocra,-who will look at the rarif question from
he point Of view OF democratic policy and principle
md Of whom therefore, the democrats in Congress may
reasonably hope that he will WELD the and the
Statistics of the treasury with the design to eucdae. and
not to beog the ques,ionwh the purpose Of aiding and
hot Of hwaTng the democrats in their attempts to revise
he tariff without stripping il OF lis democratic character
not far better and wiser n iiselfis it not due in
sness 10 the incoming adminisiration--that democrats
boud wait for its counsel and aid in this matter
The country has chosen democratic President GER
amy with the view OF securing the assistance OF his
administration in the slucldaton OF the democratic
policy and its adaptation TO the existing wants and in
eess Of the country He will be in Office in less than
siee months Why then, should democrats, upon wing
aslanee, prefer to attempt revision Of the tariff while
aberng their data from the administration of President
tllmorel
Is manifest that these considerations do not at all
Oeh the general question Of the expedency OF subject
g The existing tariff 10 revision That is question
neh can be Judged OF better after we shall have seen
oW The tariff OF 1si6, in the present condition of
eonntry, will work in the hsrds of it's friends under
Administration that is not committed against the prin-
pe and policy which it is founded And especially
clear in our Judgment, that II the tariff Is to be al
eu' me advent of such administration will afford
'est opportunity for the wisdom and patriotism OF a
'oershc Congress 10 improveit IT,
tseat !