The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-23
THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
OF THE HON. ]. CLANCY JONES,
In The House of Representatives, J,me l2th, 1853.

,sT BE-. - or PENNsYLvAHIA,
In the House Of Representatives. J,oe 12a, 1853 Al
Mr. J. CLANCY JONES If the committee will in
dulge me for short time, will endeayor to conne my
self to few sober facts in relation to the finances of the
country 1t might not perhaps be inappropriate to say
to the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr.. BuRLkdAAEl
that, as he has made speech, shall expect him,
when called upon, to respond to all claims for expend-
lures for such purpose. / do not propose now, Mr.
Chairman to make lengthy speech the question. l
know that the House is impatient to get through with
it's business with view to early adjournment shall
content myself now with simple statement, ayailng
myself of the privilege of adding to it in print If
proper ssts s.ssi
[Cries of "Agrccd."l 5s Al t,.a r. j
Mr.. SICKLES- 1 beg to ask the gentleman from
Pennsylvania to give portion of his tme that may
make few remarks in reply to the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts ,ssl7.,lfatf Ns,f, h
si Kurks xxi y Il GssS fssasysani. tie gentleman
makes war speech we want all around to make war
| speeches.
Mr.. SICKLES want to make peace speech
Mr.. KUNKEL, of Pennsylvania. object: and hope
my colleague will not yield. E6 Aa
Mr.. j. CLANCY JONES, At the opening Of the
sion of Congress- the Secretary Of the Treasury in sub
mtng his estimates and his reports referred to the con-
dton of the finances of the country generally and par
tculary to the recent revuson From full treasury with
surplus of twenty thirty millions of dollars the
4th OF March last, have deficiency OF S2000O,-
000 do not propose to go into an argument to show
the causes which produced this extraordinary result
simply wish to confne myself to facts and leave every
gentleman to make up his mind to adopt his
theory and carry it into practice if he can.
had intended, if this bill had come up at an earlier
day to have occupied the full extent of my hour in de-
batting fully and frankly in all its bearings revenue
system subject which gentlemen seem to think
there is disposition to avoid upon this side of the
House 1t is said that have empty treasury, that
have borrowed $40 900 900, and about to borrow
$l5 900 900 more and yet that the Committee of Ways
and Means is entirely silent to the mode of epensh
ing the treasury would be the last man to be guilty
of omission of this kind it in the power of the
Committee of Ways and Means this particular period
to remedy this evil. But know every gentleman in
this House knows, and the country knows that IN ad
ustment Of the tariff at this particular juncture would
not add dollar to the revenue and we know the add
onal fact that if protective tariff were imposed at this
particular period upon the people, far from benefting
either the any interest of the country it would
entail evils upon that gentlemen upon the other side of
the House would be the first to disavow and to hold
sponsbe for If the tariff at this session put at so
per cent it would not yield dollar of revenue In
consequence Of the cessation of imports tariff could
affect either the the manufacturing interests
The attempt and failure would only unsetle and confuse
instead Of giving stability inspiring wcll-founded
hopes for the future
But it is sent forth to the country that we are unw
ling to afford relief principle We have
often proclaimed to the whole country that not in
favor Of tariff for protection alone, but that in
favor of tariff for revenue and that under such tariff
with for its object will at all times do every
thing that we can consistently with this principle TO
cidentay benefit domestic interests That is our
\ position and II any gentleman will show how
adjustment of the tariff can be made upon that prin-
cipe that will yield and benefit the country
am ready this moment to act ON it. have such
practical suggestion anywhere There must be revival
of trade must have mporations before any tariff of
any kind whatever produce any effect and it is for
this reason and this Alone that have proposed that
shall wait until there sufficient revival Of trade that
may how to just the tariff with view to secure
revenue give stability to the system and encourage
iprln flnLa
it. have no hesitation in saying that shall not
favor any tariff hereafter that alone for protection in
any Of its features without for its object but If
find after revival of trade that the present tariff will
not fulfil expectations, then, and not till then,
shall be ready to 60 into movement that will give us,
that principle and that basis sufficient revenue to
meet-not, some Of my friends have intimated,
tavagant expendtuIesbut the legitimate expenses OF
| government economically administered.
suppose it is hardly necessary for me to say that
in favor Of the postal system being generally sesuppor
ing willing to go by udicious legislation for
selfsupportng system both inland and foreign and this
can be effected without increasing the rates of postage, by
reforming the abuse Of the fanking privilege The
son why do not propose it now is precisely the same
reason that for which am not willing to act upon the
tariff not willing to pell- NELL into system Of
legislation at the heel of the session. changing laws in
appropriation bills But am willing, in the regular
mode of legislation to reform and revise the postal sys
tem foreign and inland and to establish them upon self
supporting basis. Having thus given my views, will
not now enlarge upon them Il have said this much be
cause it perhaps due to the position which occupy
and because hints have been thrown out from various
quarters coming, too, from my State, that had the
power but lacked the inclination to to the relief
the country and disposed to allow Congress to ad
joum without expressing my sentiments in regard
to the amount Of this loan asked for The revulsi0n
the current fiscal year. have already remarked very
sudden and unexpected No could foresee it in al
its bearings Under laws the Secretary of the Treas
ury required to report to Congress- each session. the
acts Of the past and to estimate for the expenditures
the coming fiscal year He is required to render
nual report to Congress of the expenditures and dsrse
ments of the government and to submit to Congress- at
each session. printed estimates in detail Of all expenditures
that will be required the for the next
fiscal year. Our government from its very foundation,
has looked for to system of indirect taxation by
the adjustment of scale of duties imports known
the tariff Equity requires that should, in adjust
ing it, throw tho burdens property and exempt as
much possible the evil of capitation taxaion Direct
taxation would impose nearly the whole burden upon
the personal real and mixed estate of the consedcacy,
relieving production and persons comparatively Free upon
the generally recognised principle in free government,
that property shall bear the burdens of government
consideration for the guarantees of nvioaby and pro-
lection. We should then, If adopt the indirect
alton system adjust it to throw its burden prop
erty The tariff should discriminate with revenue for its
object it should bear lightly articles of necessity
general consumption-and heavily on luxuries and
tices consumed by capitalists requiring capital for
their production. The of the country, under
any tariff, necessarily depends mainly upon the crops
and production generally, q mean, Of course safe,
steady revenue, and our capacity for exporting these
staples. Steady expectation will increase Importation