Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-14

some eien that specific duties are necessarily pro-
fective duties. Nothing can be more tallacious.-
Great Britain glories in free trade, and yet her
whole revenue from imports j. at the present mo-
Iaent collected under system of specific duties.
1t is striking fact in this connection that, in the
commercial treaty Of 23G January, 1860, between
FraPce and England, one Ct the articles provides
that the ad valorem duties which it imposes shall
he converted into specific duties, within six months
from it's date, and these 10 he ascertained by
making an average Of the prices for six months
previous 10 that time. The reverse OF the propo-
stion would be nearer the truth, because much
larger amopnt of revenue would be collected by
merely converting the ad valorem duties of tariff
into equivalent specific duties. To this extent the
revenue would be increased, and in the same pro-
portion the specif; duty might be diminished.
Specific duties would secure to the American
manufacturer the incidental protection to which he
is fairly entitled uuder revenue tariff, and TO THIS
surely DO persun would object. The trainers of
the existing tariff have gone further, and, IN llb-
eTal spirit, Disseminated IN favor OF large and
useful branches o: manufactures, not by rals-
ing the rate Of duty upon the importation Of SINH
lar articles from abroad out what is the same IN ef
fect by admitting articles free Of duty which enter
into the composition of their ia hries.
Under the present system il has been often
traly remarked that this incidental protection
decreases when the manufac' urer needs it most,
aud increases ghen he needs it least, and eon-
stitutes sliding scale which always operates
against him. The revenues of the country are
subjected to similar huctuation. Instead of
approaching a steady standard, as would the
case under system of specific duties, they
sink and rise With the sInking aud rising prices
of articles in foreign counties. 1t would not
be difficult for Congress to arrange system
Of specific duties which would afford additional
stability both to our revenue and cur manu-
features, aud without injury or injustice to any
interest of tho country. This might be ac-
eonplishod by aseertaining the average value
of any given article for series of years, at
the place Of expectation, and BY simply con-
verting the rate Of al vaiorem duty upon il
which might be deelned necessary for revenue
purposes, into the form of specific duty
Such an arrangement could not Ipjure the con-
salucr. Ii be should pay greater amount of
DUTY one year, this would be countcrbalanced
by lesser amount the nexf, aud 10 the end
the aggregste would be the same.
desire 10 call your immediate attention to
The present condition of the Treasury, SO ably
aud clearly presented by the Secretary in his
report 10 Congress and to recommend, that
measures be promptly adopted, to enable it to
discharge It's pressing obligations. Tue other
recommendations of the report are well Sorthy
of your favorable consideration.
| herewith transmit to Congress the reports
of the Secretaries of War, OF the Navy, Of
the Interior, aud of the Pos master Genefal.
The recommendations ana suggestions which
lbe1 contain are highly valua lie, aud deserve
your careful Attentions.
The report of The Postmaster General de-
tails the circumstances under which CorDelius
Vanderbilt, Gu my request, agreed, 10 the
month of July last, TO carry the ocean mails
between the Atlantic and P4ci6c coast. Had
be not .hus acted, this iuportanE intercommu
nicstien must have beeu suspended. at least
tor season. Tue Postmaster General had no
power to make him any other compensation
than the pGstages on the mail mater wAiel he
might carry. Ii was known, at tae time, tbat
these hostages would fall far short of an ade-
aaate compensation, as we'll Of the sum
which the same service had previously coat The
Government. NJ. Vanderbilt, in comnea-
dable spiril, sss willing TO rely upon the justice
Of Congress- to make up the deficiency and
/, therefore, reoowuend that an appropriation
nlsy to granted for this purpose.
I should do great Injustice 20 the Attorney Cen
tra were to omit tae mention Of his distinguished
services in the measures adopted and prosecuted by
merous ana uufounded claims to lands IN California,
purportiug to have been made by the Mexican gov
,ruuent, previous To the treaty ot cessIon. The
successful opposition these claims has saved TO
the United States public property worth many mil
lions of dClars and to inividuaie hoiiIng titles un
der them to at least equal amount.
1t has been represented to mt, from sources
which deem reliable, that the Inhabitants in
raj portions Of Kansas have been reduced nearly
state of starvation account of the almost total
failure of the crops, whilst the haTyeSts in every
other portion of the country have been abundant.
The prospect before Them, for the approaching win
ter is we'll calculated to enlist the sympathies of
every heart. The deSttution appears to be so gen
eraI that it be relieved by private contribu
tions, and they in such indigent circumstances
as to be unable purchase the necessaries of life
for themselves refer the subject to Congress. If
any constitutional measure for their relief can be
devised, would recommend its adoption.
cordially recommend 70 your favorable regard
the interests Of the people Of this District. They
are eminently entitled to your consideration, espe-
ciaily since unlike Tie people Of he States, they
can appeal to no Government except that Of the
Union. JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CrY, Sd December. 1860
Coughs md C9tdsi Coughs and Colds !
sEAsoNARLE ADVICE.