Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-06

S.es az TUG Dih % tue committee, leaving the sum
OF about $2,0O0000 of revenue from unenume-
rated articles; but they are sufficient 10 explain
the character Of the present tariff, the one pro-
posed by the committee, and the one by the de-
partment.
Herewith is also presented exhibit 10, contain
ing the free hist proposed by this department,
TO which is added the English tariff on the
same articles; from which il will be seen that
the English tariff makes most of these articles
Tree; and, as far as these articles used in the
arts and manufactures, most of them are free
OF duty under the laws of other manufacturing ma
tons. Under the English tariff, the raw material
used in the arts and manufactures have been
made free of duty, whilst our tariff OF 1916 i'm
poses on those articles heavy duties and thus to
the extent of the duty on the raw material, the
English manufacturer has decided advantage
over manufacturers of the United States in the
markets OF other nations. whilst the effect OF the
tariff OF 1916 is reduced in our own markets. In
the revision Of the tariff for the purpose Of reduc-
ing the revenue, IL was deemed expedient and
proper TO take away the advantages accruing TO
the manufactures OF other countries, under their
free hist, by making the same articles free under
our laws, except as to the article of wool, and as
10 that article, on the coarser woods. Under the
RECIPROCITY treaty, wool from the British provinces
will be admitted free Of duty. In 1858, the mpor-
tations of wool and wooden goods amounted to
over $30,000,000, and the wool and the value Of
the wool in the manufactured article amounted to
at least $4,000, 900, This was over and above
the amount produced in the country, and affords
satisfactory evidence that sufficient wool is not
produced in the country for its consumption. The
consumption of wool in the United States for the
year 1883 is estimated at 200 000, 900 pounds, Of
which CO. 900 is the production of the country,
and 2l,000, 600 imported as wool, and the balance
OF ll9 900 900 imported in manufactures of wool
The proposed addition of articles of general con-
sumption 10 the free list, such as salt, &c, was
deemed more questionable, but was made be-
cause il seemed to have had the sanction of Con-
gress and the people, as to tea and coffee, and il
was thought would leave the operation Of the
tariff laws more equitable in their bearing upon all
sections of the country than general reduction
on all articles. The addition of unadulterated
wines was made TO promote our commercial in
tercourse with wine-producing countries.
The present tariff, the bill of the Committee Of
the House of Representatives, and that OF this
department, impose the like duty of 100 per cent.
on spirits imported. The bill Of the committee
reduces the schedules of the present tariff from
49, 80, and rs per cent. 10 20 per cent, retaining
the 10, 10, and per cent. schedules, with some
transposition of articles from one schedule TO
another; whilst that Of the department imposes
duty of 25 per cent on all articles not made free;
most OF the articles in the Is, 10. and 5 per cent
schedules of the present tariff having been added
TO the free list, there being just reason why the
articles not added to the free list should not pay
the higher rate of 25 per cent. The table, IL,
which accompanies this report, exhibits the
amount that would have been collected for the
year 1853 under the present tariff the bill Of the
committee, and that of the department and what
would have been collected under each schedule
of the bill Of the committee, and affords evidence
that the 9th schedule will pay the expenses of
collection Indeed, il is believed the advantages
OF these schedules will be counterbaanced by the
increased difficulties and expense Of collection.
Whether The general rate should be 90 or IS per
cent, is a question Of some doubt. 1t was thought
that reduction TO 20 per cent. might have the
effect of increasing the revenue by increasing the
the importations; whilst the duty Of IS per cent.
would not probably have that effect. A question
Of greater difficulty was, whether the rate of 40
per cent. should not be retained on manufactured
and adulterated wines, and whether silks and
some other sumptuary articles should not be ad-
ded TO that schedule. Upon mature reflection,
am fully satisfied that the schedule Of 40 per cent
should have been retained, keeping in It's wines
not made free, and adding to ii silks OF all kinds,
aces of all kinds, millinery Of all kinds, and other
sumptuary articles and now recommend that,
in revising the tariff, such schedule, specifying
the articles, be added.
exhibits the articles manufactured in the United
States, which have formed part OF our exports
for the years 1885, 1S47 1913, 1S49, 1850, 1851,
1852, 1853, and 1854 Ii will be seen from this
table that there has been great increase in the
annual export Of articles manufactured in this
country. i may be fairly calculated that the
s26 900, 600, and upwards ofmanufactured articles
exported during the fiscal year 1854 will continue
gradually TO increase, until the manufactures Of
the United States shall constitute fair proportion
OF our foreign exports.
In recognizing, as do, the principle that duties
should be levied for revenue, and not for protec-
ton, ] have considered il no departure from the
principle 10 counteract the legislation Of other
countries, and make the same articles free under
our laws that are free under theirs knowing Also
that there never has been tariff law enacted,
under the constitution, in which some articles
were not allowed TO be imported free Of duty.
The table, IL, which accompanies this report
exhibits duties 10 the amount Of 81 ,524 457 40 on
the articles made free by the reciprocity treaty
with Great Britain duringthe fiscal year 1854 I; to
which extent the ANNUAL revenue from customs
will thereby be reduced. 49,
In my former report a repeal Of the fishing
bountes was recommended, for the reasons there
referred TO. That recommendation Is renewed
and the subject Of drawback duties on refined
iugar is recommended TO the consideration OF
Congress. The same principle would requirs
like drawbacks on all exported articles on which
there is duty on the raw material used in their
man ufacture.
The reports ofthe First, Second, Third, Fourth,
Fifth, and Sixth Auditors, and OF the First and
Second Comptrolers, and the Commissioner Of
Customs, which accompany this report, numbered
from IA 10 ~, Inclusive, exhibit a fair statement
Of the operations and condition Of their respective
Offices. They are all in good order, and the cur
rent business 10 promptly, and, Il s believed, cor
recty done; and, besides, considerable progress
has been made in closing the large unsettled bal
ances that stood open the books ofthc treasury,
as stated in my former report. That report stated
the outstanding balances on the let Of April 1853,
And there had been settled, up TO
the date Of that report. ........ 30,500,1A so
Leaving, 500, 02l $40 80
Since the date Of that report, this
sum has been reduced BY settle.
menfs Collecfona Nc f,i.