Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-01
THE SUPPLIES REVENUE.


We presume, as matter Of course, that Con-
ress at its ensuing session will take some steps in
scrdar to reduce the present amount OF revenue,
which is far beyond the legitimate wants Of the
Government and an unnecessary tax upon the peo-
pie, tending, BY supplying such large surplus,
90 wsteful and useless expenditure, or, what would
sse even unfortunate, to the encouragement of
= bel,icosc feeling towards foreign nations.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, in view of the
probable action Of Congress, hos prepared Cir
ssGlar, which we sec published in the New York
papers requesting information as to the work
Mg of the present Tariff, with suggestions as to
Srstable changes or notifications best calculated to
meet the object in view and yet do justice to the
great interests Of the country. This circular, we
Asve no doubt, viii be very generally and fully
replied to by the active ant-protcctionists of the
.osuntry, and probably BY many nonresident for
~Igners who wish to see its ports thrown open
bs the free admission Of foreign productions, to-
~ the great injury, if not absolute ruin, Of our
hane industry. We hope, however, that the
srIc1ds Of American labor viii also consider it their
.14ty to give the Secretary their views as to judi
.s5sas notifications Of the Tariff, which, whilst
mot injuring the great interests, will serve to foster
IA reasonable manner our domestic productions and
manufactures
Tha fra. - evss Obvious modification, with
xBsM reduce the revenue, evidently is to remove
af,e duties from all foreign raw materials. 1t is
srrkng fact that under the present Tariff the duty
en some raw materials is greater than the manu-
E.etarel article and thus instead of giving any pro-
section to the home manufacturer, it really gives
a bounty to the foreign one. 1t Is but justice to-
Kr- WALKER, who may be considered the father of
Se present tariff to say that the absurdty Of levyng
asayy duties upon foreign raw materials which
essential for our manufactures, and which this
psuntry does not produce contrary 10 his opinion
aad wishes, and that fundamental basis Of his
scheme the admission of all such articles free of
azaty; but he was overruled in this BY some leadl
mg members of Congress from the South, with
sxt whose assistance the tariff could not have been
Ezzzsed, and to whose views lie most reluctantly /
yielded, as the only alternative by which the law
cpanid be carried through Congress.
We cannot at the moment callto our recollection
nay leading foreign raw material that would come
Iapo competition with our home production except
gaol, and that we now produce to such an amount
and on such favorable terms that considerable guam
zLies are exported and such are the foreign prices
ct this article that producers have nothing to
Sa1r on that score particularly as under the gold
Ssrer in Australia the enormous supply of wool
trpn that quarter has been greatly reduced and
A2s been a principal cause for the advance of the
sz>iclc in European markets. II, however, an en-
sre abolition Of the duty on this article should not
be considered advisable, a great reduction on it
ssSaid be made without any injury to the home
interest.
AZ means Of lessening the revenue, we cannot
SEC any objection to placing upon the free list
paper and all kinds of spices; every description
II fruit, whether dried or otherwise; all dyestuffs
dug, and chemicals, in their natural OF unmanu-
Hctnred state hairs, hides, skins, and petries Of
MI kinds mahogany and monumental wood if
noS al kinds of lumber essences and perfumery
sf every description; all works Of art Of every
hnd; and generally every thing to be admitted free
sirat does not come into competition with home in
9nstEy Thus far, We presume, there would be but
httc difference of opinion in Congress- and, without
gaIng into any very particular examination on the
soint, we presume that such articles could Be Sc
sscted which yield at present towards tho revenue
from six to eight millions of dollars.
If such articles could not be selected to . suiE-
ient extent for the required reduction, the question
would then come up As to other articles, for which
4 protection has heretofore been claimed, the two
rsost prominent Of which would probably bo iron,
Suriculsrly railroad iron, and sugar
1t is true that under the recent great advance in
England of the former article, protecting duty is
r1t 80 much required as under the previous de-
xesscd rates but still the iron interest IS highly
Il not vitality important one for the country, and
Soud not be left to the miserable fate Of the last
ssw years. Our legislators should recollect that
Shc destruction Of our furnaces, which reduced
ahe general supply Of the world, is one reason for
elss advanced rates which we now have to pay to
&oTeiguers for the railroad iron that we are at pre-
seot compelled TO purchase from them; for, if we
aSuld from our own furnaces, as We ought to have
sfoue and could hare done but for the operation of
che tariff Of 1916, which put such large majority
az them out Of blast, have furnished annually two or
aLree hundred thousand tons more Of railroad iron
INSTEAD Of calling on the ron-m masters Of England
Gsr that additional quantity, the price there in the
tsence Of such an increased demand, would not have
oarly doubled itself, as it has recently done. I'm
der the present high rates for iron in England, and
sae probable continued heavy demand which for
eamc time at least will prevent any decline, we be-
Ecve that our own furnaces will continue to increase