The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-09
REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.

very vices il was the FIRST % shunf
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REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.
We regret the necessity which requires dissent from
some Of the views on the tariff contained in the
number OF Theta whichappears in columns to-day.
That portion his able essay which except parcu-
lary his Of the rules Of Say
the ecc, that shoid6s imposed be least ja-
yous reproduction From this rule of Say
pondent dednces the conclusion that Ae material used
By the manu- fae especially Then mo- prodacsd IN
his country should Be exempt from dyT Without stop
ping TO inquire whether this is legitimate dedue-
ton from the rule laid down by Say, eoncede
its practical applicability the modification and reduc
ton of the present tariff law. If all the materials
used by manufacturers be exempt from taxation
and transferred the free list impossible that the
burdens Of be equitaby distributed amongst
all classes of society in accordance with another rule Of
Say which "Theta quotes, and enforces with unanswera
bic abityvz that duties imports should be levied
in such way as to ress mpartaay all classes q So
cay This latter rule which is eninently just aud equi
table and which is believed to be faithfully carried out in
the tariff Of 1886 would require the burdens of taxation 70
press alike the manufactures every other class of
society and yet correspondent CONSTITUTES another
rule Of the eminent author to exempt all the
material used by one class from taxation.
Our correspondent undertakes show that, although
the exemption of the material taxation direct
benefit TO the manufacturer yet that it does benefit
him by way of protection but BY way of free trade, and
therefore that his position is obnoxious the objection
of fayorng the exploded system prefecture tariff Tech
nicaly speaking he does not propose to adopt the ro
ics policy because he does propose place proh-
tory duty any OF the duabe articles imported. But
when look at the subject practically, his proposition
seems US to one for the encouragement
Of manufacturers by giving them bonus instead
OF protection and, in that point Of view quite OBJ
jectionable the prohibiory policy which he repu-
dates and condemns. If the manufacturer gets his
raw material free of duty, he produce the
fctured article SO much the cheaper be able
underse the foreign manufactured article which pays
duty But long there are for the foreign
as wen as the domestic article the price charged for
foreign article which enhanced by the datv paid its
Importation win regulate the price of the domestic article
which has paid no duty The necessary result is that the
domestic manufacturer has pockeed 5oags equal the
duty imposed the foreign article the has paid
the same price If the material had been taxed and
the government has derived revenue except from the
foreign manufactured article Practically, therefore the
ment in the way of the of the
uiacured article but gives the manufacturer encourage
ment by way Of boaus.
1t to be say that this is not pre-
lection to the maauiactureri is bad since it is
q9emeaf him al the expense Of the ether classes Of
cety. To make good this remark haze but 10 look
the practical operation Of the position We desire
duec the about twelve millions Of dollars If
half Of this reduction is made by eAempting the
that the articles remaining dutiablc he taxed higher
than they would be if the reduction distributed
amongst the articles nov dutiable 1t follows that by
emptng the manufacturer from duty the material
viii the necessity Of retaining the higher Oh
other classes In other words the manufacturer is favored
and benefited Tie ezpese of other classes This may
be technical protection but it practical teors and
in direct conflict with that justice and equity which re-
qure that taxes should be SO imposed press impair
TALLY on all classes Of society Without pursuing the
subject further have said enough indicate our
adherence the policy Of the OF 1916 the true
basis of such notifications and reductions of the revenue
law demanded There may be some imperfections
in the details of that law which experience has developed
these be rcmedied without disturbing its main a
lures; and when this ia done the democratic party viii
stand impregRabc before the country the tariff ques
ton,