The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-10

probable receipts from customs The tariff act of March
b. 1881 has not been in operation long enough to test
its effects upon the under ordinary crcum
stances Simultaneous with this act going into opera
ton the country subjected TO disastrous revulson
To what extent mporations would have been affected by
it, had there been revuson in trade and commerce. is
much matter of conjecture as il was before the
passage OF the act Experience has thrown light
the subject The probability is that 1t would to linn
tied extent have increased inportaons though not to
the extent of supplying the deficiency created by the
duction Of the duties.
In submitting to Congress- under these circumstances
estimates Of the receipts for the present and the next fiscal
year. il is deemed proper to accompany them with state
ment OF acts and principles upon which they have been
made in order that Congress may pass its judgment
upon the credit to which they entitled.
The exports and imports Of the United States have al
ways borne relative proportion the respective amounts
not often differing materially from each other Both have
steadily increased with occasional exceptions with the
growth and progress of the country In seeking there
FORE to ascertain the probable importaons into the
try the amount of probable exports constitutes
important element in the calculation The exports for
the year ending June 30 1857 amounted to 1892 949
4f, and the imports for the period We're $500 $780,
l4l The amount of exports depends not only the
quantity but the value of the articles exported The
quantity of and the value of Others may be consid
cbly diminished and yet the deficiency thus created may
be supplied by either the increased quantity value OF
other articles II is probable that this very state of things
may during the present fiscal year The indications
at present are that the exports of breadsu and pro-
visions will decrease both in quantity and value but the
increased value OF cotton at its probable prices which
constitutes much the largest item Of exports would
make up such deficiency. From the best information
which be obtained the opinion is entertained that
the exports for the present fiscal year will not fall below
those of last year more than ten per centum.
Looking to the mporations for the last ten years, it
may be safely stated that the ratio Of annual increase has
not been less than ten per centum though, within that
period there two years in which there falling
off This attributable, doubtless, TO temporary
causes which do not affect the general proposition
The foreign merchandise subject to duty imported du
ring the first quarter ending 30 September last of the
present fiscal year, by the statement marked 3, amount
ed to SSS 9 3S5 and the customs received during that
quarter were stated in the estimates, SlS 573729 81
The tariff Of the Sd Of March last having gone into ope
ration the first day of that quarter the circumstances
under which considerable portion of that amount
realized exceptional TO form satisfactory
guide for the remaining three quarters Of the present s
cal year and it becomes important consideration IN
view of the probable in the treasury to meetex
isng appropriations to approximate the amount Of mer
chandise subject to duty which will be entered for
sumption during that period
In making the estimates herewith submitted, the
amount of merchandise subject to duty imported during
the corresponding three quarters of the last fiscal year
taken, being 900 000 to which ten per centum
added for the annual increase had there been dis
turbing giving for the amount of merchandise
paying duty under the then existing tariff of 1886
aggregate OF S23l, ,000, 900.
The inquiry presents ITSELF To what extent will
this approxmated amount of merchandise paying duty be
diminished by The revulsion which has upon the
country!
An answer to this inquiry constitutes the most serious
difficulty IN tho way of making estimate of the receipts
into the treasury from customs. Looking, however, to
probable exports the great resources OF country
its unexampled prosperity in many branches of industry
its capacity to from temporary pressure in its
trade and business, the opinion is expressed, with some
confidence that the reduction from this cause will not
exceed twenty five per centum. This would bring the
amount Of merchandise paying duties down to about one
hundred and seventyfour millions for the remaining
three quarters Of the present fiscal year For several
years the average rate Of duty upon all dnabe merchan
disc, by the tariff of 1896 appears to have been within
fraction of twenty per cenum, which would produce
on that amount forty-three millions of dollars.
The next point OF inquiry is, How much will this sum
be diminished by the reduced rates provided by the act of
March 8, 1857
From the calculations made Of duties under that act
upon the mportaons the last fiscal year. compared with
the of duty actually realized under the tariff of
lS46 it appears that about oncquarter should be de-
Quoted for the effect Of the tariff of 1851 Ten millions
Of dollars have therefore, been deducted that account,
making the probable receipts from customs during the
remaining hrce-quareis OF the present fiscal year. thirty
three Millions which has accordingly been placed in the
estimates.
1t will of course be understood that the retur Of du
table merchandise from which these erencesare drawn,
of merchandise imported, while the customs revenue
is exclusively derived from merchandise entered for
sumption. In these estimates the amount of merchan
disc imported supposed to equal the amount entered for
consumption. In periods OF commercial difficulty, like
the present the amount Of merchandise imported and
placed In warehouse without payment of duty will,
doubt exceed the amount entered for consumption but
such excess is generally temporary, and IL obvated
by diminished importaons and increased withdrawals
for consumpton which restores the equilibrium without
giving occasion for the discussion of such details in any
general statement of the revenue.
The receipts from customs for the next fiscal year. from
July L. lS5S to June 30 1869, will depend in great
measure upon the extent to which commercial and
ctary transactions shall have returned to their ordinary
channels 1t probable that the immediate effects Of the
present revuson in trade will have ceased by that time
and that the usual amount of duabe merchandise will
be required for consumption The estimate submitted is
based the amount of three hundred and seventy mill
lions OF dutabe merchandise being the amount assumed
for the present fiscal year with the usual increase and
without any deduction for the effects Of the present rcvu
sion. Upon this amount the customs, under the act of
lS46, with the deduction heretofore explained for the
effect of the tariff of Sd March last would produce about
sixty nine and onc-half millions Of dollars.
The annual estimates in detail prepared by the Reg
partnent These estimated expenditures divided into
three classes
L. Balances of unexpended appropriations which may
and probably will be required by the respective depart
inents in the course Of the next fiscal year.
O. Expenditures under indefinite and permanent appro
prations In this class placed the standing appro
uriation made by the joint resolution Of February a.
1850 Of So 900 for expenses Of collecting the
TOMS 1t is proposed to change this permanent approp
alton for annual appropriations OF increased amounts for
forth in another part of this report In the
time, the proposition has not been sanctioned by
Congress- the estimate remains in this class,
3. In the third class comprised the estimates sub
mtted by direction Of the several executive departments
as necessary be appropriated to carry the several
branches OF tho public in their charge for the next
classes comprchend the eStma-