Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-01-31

affair are correctly stated. 1t affords a useful
example to others similarly situated in the gov
crnment of prisons.
The Proposed Notifications in the Tar
ifi--Ad Valorem Duties.
Amongst the various amendments now be
fore the House Of Representatives on the new
tariff bill, there is one by Mr.. Mace of Indiana,
which proposes that all importations, except
coin and bullion, shall pay duty of fifteen per
cent dd rdiOrem. The arguments in favor of
this measure far outweigh all considerations
that may be urged agans; it. In the first
place, its simplicity is in itself powerful rec
concentration in a country in which economy
of time is one of the main elements of CONNER
cial success and in the next, we are satisfied
| that i, would be attended with considerable
economy Of expenditure in the collection of the
duties themselves. If we add to these advan-
tages the certainty which il would impart to
commercial specuations, and the saving OF
trouble and annoyance which it would occasion
10 the mercantile community in general, it will
We think, be difficult to convince unpreiudced
minds that an experiment ought not to be made
OF principle which promises such benefits.
We might cite numerous illustrations IN ev-
idence of the necessity of establishing the rev.
enue of the country on some fixed basis, which
would enable the Treasury to deal with ascer-
tanned results, and to effect such reductions on
taxation as our present prosperous condition
calls for. It will be sufficient Tor our purpose
to take the item of bounties granted to vessels
I onnoraJ in ,ba cnd Eel ,ub, ob
it would be difficult to justify on any grounds
Of necessity or expediency. These bounties
have been bestowed during period of about
sixty years. and amount to about $500 900 per
annum. divided amongst the 1888 vessels EN-
ployed in this business. Surprising these fig
ures TO have Undergone no substantial varato on
during that time, the country has paid for pro-
lection to the fishing trade sum amounting
to about 100000. Now, the question is
whether if the trade had been left TO itself it
would not have been equally. if not more pros
porous. The experience Of other nations in
the bounty system would 90 to prove that such
would have been the result; and we cannot see
the policy or benefit of continuing principle
which establishes an injurious precedent, fas-
tens heavy annual charge upon the industry
of the country, and causes unnecessary trouble
to the public departments. We see that an
enfart is being made in the Senate by Mr. Clay
Of Alabama, to repeal these bouniies. Similar
attempts have been repeatedly made within the
last few years but the resistance of the pro,
tecliunists has hitherto succeeded in defeating
them. The public mind is, however, becom.
ing so enlightened on the fallaciousness of the
theories by which ciss interests have hitherto
succeeded in myslifying it, that bounlies, like
every other form of commercial protection, must
soon go by the board. Fish, as well as sugar
and other natural and artificial productions
which are now surcharged with the expense Of
a fictitious and unhealthy system of encourage
ment, will be subjected 10 the laws Of free COM
petition, and not only the consumer but the
industry itself will be largely benefited hv it,
There is nothing so difficult TO drive into peo-
pies heads as the absurdity of the protective
system for it holds out the certainty of small
proxmate results, whilst the large benefits de-
rvable from an unrestricted trade have vet to
be realized. Ii is only the more general diffu-
sion of information on the principles of politi-
cal economy which can open nations ewes 10
its true interests, and happily we are fast emer-
glng from the dense ignorance which existed
amongst us on these points.
Besides the economical views which NAV he
urged against the imposition of unnecessary du-
lies, there is another argument which with us
is even still stronger. Under the present rev.
enne system larger amount of money is col
lecied than the necessities of the government
demand. A surplus of ihrty-fve millions in
our treasury may to nnreaecng minds appear
very satisfactory and gratifying fact; but il
would be easy TO show that a nation which
keeps It's capital idle is in pretty nearly the
same condition as an individual who boards his
wealth from the apprehension that il may be
plltered from him. 1t is productive neither to
the owner nor TO the community amongst which
1t was intended to circulate, and for all purpo-
SEES might as well lie embedded in lis native
earth. What right, we ask, has Congress TO
take from The national industry so much of the
wealth by which alone il can be vivifed and
sustained Such course of policy is not only
unconstitutional. but it is suicidal; and on this
ground alone the country would be justified in
demanding that il shall be revised
There is ON moral grounds another objection
to the present tariff system, which has scarcely
less force than those we have already mention
ed. We hold that the standing surplus Great
ed by it is one OF the most fertile sources OF
corruption and decentralization Which ever exis-
ted amongst free people. II is an irresisi-
able temptation 10 worthless men to struggle
TOR office, whilst those who are pure must re-
tire from public employment or run the risk OIL