Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-04
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-wEEkLY By
EDGAR sNOWDEN.
ALEXANDRIA,:
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4, 1859.
The Tariff Question.

Again has the subject Of the Tariff become
one Of the most important topics of discussion
presented to the consideration of the people
Of this country. The condition of the tinan-
ceS-the recommendations of the President
the action of the recent Democratic Cau-
cuses in Washington-the difference of opin-
ion in relation to it, existing in the ranks of
the Democratic Party-and the dead lock-
to which it seems Congress has arrived, all
combine to give it prominence and interest.
In the first place, then, at this stage of the
matter, we give view Of the Tariff subject,
taken by the Pennsylcanidn, the organ of the
President and of that portion of the DEMO-
cratic party sustaining the President in
Pennsylvania, which, while it expresses. We
doubt not. the views entertained by the
President gives, also. the position" of the
Pennsylvania Democracy
I'VE do not think the action of the Demo-
cratic Senatorial caucus, on the subject of the
Tariff, wise or judicious. We need more
revenue to meet the wants and necessities Of
the Government, no matter how economically
its affairs may be conducted. This, all adj
nit. The money must be raised by increa-
sed rates of duties. or by loan. The pub
lie debt is now nearly sixty-four millions,
and it will be augmented to still higher
figure at the close of the present fiscal year,
If immediate steps be not taken to meet the
demands on the treasury. 1t will not do to
trust to revival of business in order to raise
fka q, tho ,>n,pt Ha,nonlal
There might be something practical in this
and collected under the schedule attached to
the Tariff Of 1916. but they are not. We
must base all calculations on the rates made
lawful by the Tariff of 1857, which are con
siderably below those fixed by the Act of
1916. Then again it must be remembered
that more revenue is necessary now than in
those years when the Act of 1916 was in
operation. and IA q matter Of course. high
or rate of duty is imperatively demanded.
especially when the fact ia considered that
importations have diminished If. there
fore, it be established that more money is to
be collected from foreign importations, the
reimbursement of the Tariff to meet the re-
quirements of the Treasury, cannot be effec-
ted at too early day. Prompt and satisfac-
tory action would reach several important
results. In the first place it would revive
the industrial interests of the country, slim
ulate trade, give fresh impetus to commerce
and manufactures, and put into active and
productive employment the millions of dol
lars which are now lying idle in all sections
of the Union. More than this. it would en-
able the financial officers of the Government
to calculate with certainty upon a most ma
teral accession to the receipts of the Nation
al Treasury, and thus do way with the ne
cessity for loan, the creation of a national
debt, which is always q curse to the people,
whom it burdens and over whose progress it
hangs like dark cloud. 1t is certainly far
better 10 raise revenue in such a way as to
benefit the masses, than to borrow money
and tax the industry of the people to pay the
interest on the loans. and also make proyi-
sion to meet the principal at maturity.
But why not act upon this question at the
present session? There is time enough to
effect a satisfactory adjustment of the Tariff,
if Congress will take hold of the matter in
earnest. The country demands this course
from their representatives, and they should
Weld to the demand If Senator's are will
ling to afford suitable encouragement to the
great staples of the country. why not afford
that encouragement at once! Now IL the
time to make such action eminently bene-
fetal. If IN alteration of the Tariff per
fected during the present session, the main
features Of which are in accordance with the
recommendations of MIR. Buchanan in his
annual message, the whole country will ac-
auiesce in the settlement of this important
question, and every department Of industry
will feel its invigorating effects. There is no
wisdom in postponing this matter until the
next session. No possible increase OF BUSH
ness during the interval will raise the reve-
nue. sufficiently to meet the draughts on the
National Treasury, nor can the expenses OF
the Government be 50 curtailed rs to render
more revenue unnecessary. As plain. prac-
teal business men we should face this issue.
and as the revenue is now insufficient to meet
the National expenses, the only safe. pr,-
dent and legitimate course to be pursued, Is
To increase the import duties to reach the de
ticiency. This is the only plan recommended
by sound sense and a.iudicious regard for all
interests and sections of the Nation. The
exicencies and necessities of the case require
more revenue to be collected, and the busl.
ness men Of the country ask that the Iarln
NAV be 80 altered as to effect that object, and
that Congress act upon the matter without
delay This request is sanctioned by every
consideration that should influence states
men and legislators. and if denied the ef-
fects will be to increase the public debt and
interfere with the full development OF pusi-
ness, trade and commerce. These are CON
of practical character. which
should induce our National Representatives
to act upon this question of readlustment
of the Tariff at the present session.
After reading this exposition Of the doc
trine on the Tariff held by the Pn"$yle0"m
Democracy, it will be we'll to continue on
and peruse the following. from the "Washlng-
ton States" which gives the views of the
State Rights Southern Democracy ON the
same subject, and especially in reference TO
the Pennsylvania aspect Of the case. The
is cool, dispassionate, and
States is plain spoken,
decided, and energetic
1T is evident that the Protectionists in |
end. if possible. to eoerce Congress INTO
,ome measure for the modification oil the
,erenue system. They ayow the purpose
without disguise. In fact they have proceed
ID SO far in the development OF their polltiy
70 to indicate the particular plan OF conlpui-
.. I.l 49,, nronnae IN commas their |