The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-02-22
Washington. Feb. /.

Georgia.
After the transaction OF various other busi
meas, Mr.. Hunter took the floor to express hii
views on the tariff @
Mr.. Hunter began BY saving that the present
issue Is between high taxation on the one side,
and moderate expenditure on the other. His
personal connection with the tariff Of s57induced
him to review the circumstances under which il
came into operation and the principles on y hich
it was established. Secretary Guthrie bad
founded his estimates on the opinion that the
expenditures for the preceding year, exclusive
OF payments of the public debt had never re-
quired more than &4S,O00,0 600. The Tariff was
therefore reduced BY the consent OF all sections.
Unfortunately, in the first ycar Of its operation
it encountered the great financial depression,
but in this year, as far as il has gone. it promi :
ses to attain the amount estimated. The Senator
from Rhode Island had estimated that it would
produce but forty millions Of dollars, but du-
ring the first two quarters il bad produced
twenty-,hrce millions, and the probability is
that the last two quarters will produce the
amount OF the estimate. It has done what it
was expected to do, and the question is, shall
We continue to use it to carry on the require
| ments Of the Government. The President and
the able head Of the Treasury Department
thought it insufficient, but after earnest thought
| he (Huntcr) had come to q different conclusion.
| He went on 10 show that the estimates Of the
| receipts from the public lands are not over
strained, and the unexpected balances Of ap-
propriations, il deducted, as, probably, they
ought to be, would reduce the estimates twelve
| millions. The war expenses might be reduced
nearly four Millions the Navy nearly the same,
and then it would have as much as was actual
ly expended on it last year; AMI if the Post Of
! fee Department was made selfsustainng, it
would economize nine millions upon the estimate
for the year. The bill reported by the Post
Office Committee would add three aud half
millions to the revenue. The abolition of the
franking privilege il is supposed will add one
| and halt millions more, and II, by increased
charges, we can make the department self sus
| tanning, we shall then reduce he total expendi-
| lures to $50 100000. There are many moral
political and fiscal reasons for this reform in the
| Post Office. As it at present stands, it is a
| vast machine Of irresponsible power. He here
! reau from the tables, to show the steady and
alarming increase Of the burden Of the Post
Office on the Treasury which, if continued at
the same ratio would soon make it more costly
than the army aud navy. With 26,779 POST
masters, exclusive Of route, special and local
| agents and other officers, who make total Of
nearly $4,000, ontnumbering the army and
navy, under The direction of the Postmaster
! General, who has power to increase them at his
pleasure, besides exercising great power through
the press and an army of contractors, who shall
estimate his influence? Why, in he name Of
Heaven, say that the expenses OF this depart
ment shall not exceed its revenueg II we
| should reduce our total expenditures to fifty
six millions, it would give surplus of thirteen
millions to pay off the liabilities Of the Govern
ment.
He proceeded to demonstrate that the osti-
onFth FOR ,
exaggerated, but on the contrary are rather be-
low than above. The Custom receipts for ten
years under the tariff Of 1916 increased ten per
cent per annum, but suppose them to increase
not more than per cent. Gold is being pro-
duced; tobacco and other staples are disposed Of
| at good prices and employ more hands, and al
though cereals under temporary depression
the difference is more than compensated by the
increased products. He had heard it estimated
at New York that the year will show aErevenue
Of sixty to sixty-three millions, but without ac-
cepting that high figure he was willing to take
the responsibility OF lecislatng on the assump-
ton that the Secretary's estimate will be ratte er
over than under. Hence, in his opinion, it would
be unwise and inexpedent to touch the tariff Of
1857. If on the meeting Of the next session OF
Congress it be found insufficient, every body
might come to some agreement for its amend
ment.
Mr. Hunter proceeded to argue deliberately
the advantage OF ad valOrem over specific d1-
ties, and showed that the effect OF specie i'm
posts is to make the consumer pay more, when
he can least afford, and less when he was best
able. The value can be easily ascertaiied.--
We have the prices current from abroad and
consular certificates, and if the govern ment
, will appoint faithful appraisers and not act on
| the rotation system, we will have an honest and
| faithful valuation. In speaking Of the argu-
| mcnts Of Mr.. Bgler, Mr.. Hunter said that he
did not believe that protection benefited those
| interests which it seeks to aid, were it for no
| other reason than that it induces competition
| and brings down the level of profits. The Ge-
preston Of the iron interests in this country as
| in England, was from the revusion of the credit
| system and it was a revulson common 10 all
branches of industry. The production OF gold
| in California and Australia is doing more 10
| protect the iron interests than all the customs
| acts that could be passed. 1t has been proved
that iron can be produced in America as cheap!y
| as in Europe, for advantages Of cheaper ore
and coal exceed their advantages Of cheaper
capital and labor.
After expressing his belief that the American
iron interest has nothing to fear from compe-
| titon, that it is nexpedient to touch the tariff
and that the only way TO get along with safety
| is to reduce the expenditures, Mr.. Hunter con-
cuded by saying that the Senator from Rhode
Island has made an appeal in the name OF the
American laborer. When he does so, be il
| eloq uent and earnest, and, said Mr.. Hunter, il
touches my heart il not my head. He, too, had
| at heart the intert st of the American laborer.
| He would cheaper the axe with which the la
bor,r opens his way in the forest-the hoe with
| which he wrlngs from the reluctant earth sub
| sistence for his wife and children-the coat that
| bp has nd tar,
rigor. He would chcapen the bolt tnat secure.
the sailors ship-the cordage that keeps the
spars in their places; and be would open, BY
very justifable means, every port on every sea
| 10 his commerce. He would cheaper TO til.
manufacturer his food and rament, and the COS
| OF the sugar that sweetens the cup that cheers
but not inebriates. He would cheaper the iron
and thus extend the track on which the millions
speed their way BY day and night in the pursui
OF pleasure and business. In short, he woul,
open wide the door for the self.deveopemen
OF American industry, and ior himself he W.
willing to bide the result. He did not doub
the capacity Of his couutrymcn to compete witt
the world. The Young Giant of the Wes. ha
not attained his full stature. 1t is idle to see
to bind him. He will 60 forth in his path Q
enterprise and empire. He will not set up hl
pillars by a smooth and tideless sea or pause a
the first outlook upon wide and stormy ocean
but will meet it's bows and buffet with ii
storms, leaving, whenever he may 60, monu
ments Of his progress and power, enduring a
the rock. OF this there can be no Doubt
Would it were as sure he would be the niniste
OF mercy as it is that he will be OF power; bu
the very suggestion Of territory changed HI
whole nature. Territory awakens in him th
lust Of acquisition, hike the PhGnician who sur
, rounded the land with strips Of his bull hid
, , shield, and like that old Saxon King. froI
whom, perhaps, he is descended, who sowed tn
capful Of earth over whole fields, % be h.ld b
such tenure as the strong impose on the veal
But while Mr.. Hunter reprobated the unvers'
lust of dominion that would bring from I'll
, ends Of the earth the handful OF soil or III
branch OF the tree as emblems Of his selzur
and OF his title to possession, that may be use
less when obtained, still they are acquisition
which he should use all honorable means to s.
cure. There is Cuba-the RIB taken from b
side in his sleep. "Male and female created i
theni."
With some further remarks Mr.. II. conclude
amid hum Of applause.
JuDGE SPRINGER-We have turned into Ii
j ra.rt Annaa Sovneo1 siu,0a N an0 hnv fhirs