The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-10
The Treasury Report.

twas with equal surprise and satisfaction that
we perused Mr.. Gushrie's Report of the Treasu-
~. So able, so sensible and practical docu-
nlent has not emana.ed from the department.
for many years. We have seen none like it
since the days of that busness-like, clear head
ed Secretary, Mr.. Ingham. Neither Mr. Duane
who was nominated after the breaking ND OF
Gen. Jackson's first Cabinet. nor Mr.. Woodbu-
ry, man Of fair character and ability, 4
whose earelessness contributed materially 10
facilitate defalcations; nor Mr.. Ewing, whose
high tariff notions were entirely inconsistent
with healthy state Of trade. raised their own
reputation. or benefited the country by their
discharge Of the duties of the department Mr..
Forward was a sensible. practical man, and
for about year the Treasury was ably
managed under his direction. Passing
over the administration Of John c. Spen-
Ger, who was transplanted from the Navy
to the Treasury, we come to Robert j. Walker,
the bean ideal of filibustero in finance, whose
reports can only be compared to the manfes-
toes Of peace societies and communist commit
tees, and who never could descend from the
sublime consideration Of theories to the practi-
cal study of facts and details. Meredith and
as everybody knows, are morally incapable Of
acquiring decent knowledge of finance Their
reports were heavy long-winded disquisitions
in behalf Of school Of political economy
which the whole world was abandoning, and
which died out altogether ia this country
short while before Corwin's last plea in its
favor saw the light. Mr. Guthrie had thus
little to learn and little to fear from the
reputation OF his predecessors. Earious acct
dents rendered his task unusually easy. He
took possession of an OVERLOOKING treasury
chest. A truce had succeeded the strife
between the two schools Of political economists
He took office as free trader, and was sure
that no formidable party would make war upon
him for carrying out the free trade doctrines to
mod crate extent. In fact, so far Us the tariff
is concerned, there was throughout the country
q general readiness to acquiesce in whatever
notifications he should think fit to propose
To these peculiar and unusual advantages. the
least equal value, a large quota of practical
common sense. 1t was with these arguments
in his favor that Mr. Guthrie undertook his fret
report.
Its first and most importan. feature is the
proposal it contains TO add a certain number Of
articles now dutiable to the free list of the Gus
toms. As a general thing the selection has
been iudiciously made. No one can object to
the free admission of barks used for medicines
or tanning wood, fax and linseed furs, indigo
linens, oils hides and skins SALT spices, and the
coarser qualities of wool. These articles ought to
have been on the free list long ago. The revenue
they now produce is not worth preserving,
though the duty imposed on them operates a. o
heavy tax on the public Raw silk is eminently
worthy of place in the same category for we
produce none. or go little as not to merit place
among our raw produce while. on the othor
hand we have mills and artisans enough to
work cocoons into every quality of silk. There
is no reason why we should not manufacture at
least half the silk we use. On this point, free
traders and protectionists will be alike agreed
we presume that the printers did the editor
of the Tribune injustice when they made
him say, yesterday morning, that BE-
wished the duty on raw silk increased;
nor will there be any material controversy with
respect TO books and engravings Knowledge
should Lc as rec CO light. ca tie Other Aaal,
we are at loss to conceive the motive which