Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-18

the capitol the Democratic party had 4 MAORI
ty of two-thirds, and that in the Executive De-
partments, from the Secretaries down to tide
walters, all were Democrats. II was also no.
torious that the Senate added additional mil
lions to the appropriation bills. which We were
obliged to vote for, or leave the Government
without means. the President also expends
with a lavish hand, according to his caprice or
Judgment, and it was ridiculous to charge the
extravaganza Of the Government upon the par
ty which was in the minority.
Mr.. Stanton then dilated upon the differences
between the President and his minister Of
finance the former in favor Of specific duties
and incidental protection, and the latter al va
lorrms and 4 discrimination against home IN
dustrv. lie commended in favor oil specihc du-
ties as the only fair system Of raising the reSe-
nue.. and pointed out the frauds I'M
der the al valorem duties by under valuation
custom.house oaths were VIGOROUSLY unreliable
and yet went towards fixing the valuation up
on which the duty was levied.
He would show by the tables furnished ny
the Secretary of the Treasury, contrasting the
valuation of our imports with the value OF En-
ports. rs shown by the export returns oil lot
e;gn countries, how much the revenue was dc-
fraudei under the al valorem system. In one
year there was 4 difference between the french
return of exports TO this country and our valu.
alton ofimportS from that country. of3O.00O.oO
francs against US. From the year 1893
to 1857, inclusive, our cuStom-house returns
showed an import Of 5000 guns from Great
Britain, while the export returns OF Great bri-
tain showed that we had received ll5,0oo
guns. making q loss 10 us in revenue on tlat
article of S13. 600. In the article OF wines the
French export returns showed that we had re-
ccived more BY sS,2l7. l55 than our import ta'
bles indicated. In distilled liquors there was a
similar difference OF s5.52S. $50. and the assre'
cate loss Of revenue upon the three articles
lust mentioned was IS. $40, 900. These articles
had not been especially selected as those upon
which the greatest frauds had been committed.
Wooden goods were greatly undervalucd. The
shin Caledonia LEFT 4 French port for New or-
leans. with q cargo Of wooden goods valued
there nj 500, l43. When she reached New Or
leans our valuation was only SlS. 1GS. Acargo
of blankets were valued in France 1t sI2,92I;
ut New Orleans they paid duty on only a va
luation of S34. 923. Throughout the whole
list of articles imported there was a difference
in this way Of IS to 81 per cent against us. In
levyinc duties for revenue II was desirable TO
guard against the fluctuations OF trade anu
commerce; to avoid n surplus in periods ofgrcat
prosperity, and u deficiency in times of ad'er-
sity. Under the al valorem system these evils
were aggravated. the imports and revenues IN
creasing in times of initiation and diminishing
in periods ofdepression. Specific duties, equal
TO the present al vaiorem, would now he yield
ing US sufficient revenue.
lie did not ask for an increase Of duties, but
such n change in the existing laws, and resort
to SpcficS, as would enable the officers fairly TO
collect the revenue. We wanted an honest
law, so that where incidental protection was
afforded its extent would be known and apps
rent. Under the present system a nominal
duty of 80 per cent. might amount by under
valuation TO only IL per cent.
The Senate amendments TO the Indian appr"-
priation bill were then discussed mp TO the hour
Of adjournment without action.