Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-01-26

Inc stretcnlng from the Cascades to
the Rocky Mountains. Ostensibly the
proclamation is merely for the imposi-
ton of fine for introducing merchan-
disc into British Columbia via the
Dalles; but actually it is the extension
of the revenue laws of the Colony to
that section to accommodate the Ore
gon overland drovers, traders and mi
ners. The manner in which it is put
together forcibly reminds us of the fa-
nous resolution of the Convention in
1858 which declared the British throne
vacant, and the abdication of James II.
complete. That famous resolution said
something to please all parties, satisfied
Cavaliers and Roundheads, divine-right
monarchists and republicans, and re-
suited in placing the Prince of Orange
on the throne. The "Southern Bound
ary, Act" in like manner, says some
thing to please all parties and it is likely
to do it. The preamble tells the New
Westminster people that it is the only
port Of entry; md get any amount of
goods may cross the boundary, prordded
they pay three per cent. ad valorem. Next,
to please the Hope, Douglas and Yale
packers, who pay the road tax and tom
mage dues, goods are only to be allowed
SO long as the communications are in
complete,--which is tantamount to say
ing "pay up your tares to the road: fund,
and the Dalles trade wiN be stopped" A
happy idea certainly, but one that is
not likely to be fulfilled; except on the
simple ground that the roads leading
from Douglas, Yale and Hope will be
put in such condition that goods can
be transported into the interior cheaper
than from the Dalles. Even then it
will be difficult to foresce when the
overland trade will cease. For some
time Oregon will supply British Co.
lumbia with beef; and herds Of cattle
are very likely to be used first to trans
port merchandise before they ore sold
for beef; and consequently the over
land trade will be kept alive; except
an 81 do order and enact lay on an
embargo. Next follows clause i'll the
preamble which tells us that it is more
expensive to collect duties on the from
tier than at New Westminster conse-
qucntly, fine must be imposed. Un-
der gu;se then of fine the expcdient
of making Custom House on the
boundary is carried out. 1t is an admi-
rablc cXpcdient to extend the revenue
laws to the boundary, and hoodwink
New Westminster, and others inter-
cstcd in the Fraser River trade. Much
more straightforward, we think, would
have been the conduct of the govern
mcnt, if they had instituted Custom
House at once on the boundary than
by adopting such a roundabout mode to
accomplish the same thing; still the inn
position of three per cent. fine on all
goods crossing the boundary, in addi-
ton to the duties collected at New
Westminster valuation, will act as a
check to the Dalles traders, and as a
protective tariff to Victoria merchants,
Fraser River traders, up-country pack
crs, and intcr-colonial and river steam
boatmcn. Whether the protection will
amount to as much as its admirers i'm
aginc, is a question Of which we have
many doubts. The three per cent, cal
culatcd on the value of merchandise at
the boundary, will virtually amount to
four, five, and ten per cent. ut Now
Westminster valuation. This certainly
will benefit our traders, or ut least tend
to turn tho tide of trade from the over
land route to Fraser River; yet it is
difficult to conclude that az small an
additional per ccntage will efectually
check tho Dalles trade. The only
thing certain about the "Southern
Boundary Act" is that it will swell the
finances of the country.
We have often had occasion to cnl0-
gizc the skill of the British Columbia
government in inventing new modes
of getting taxes; but we cannot refrain
from expressing our admiration at their
ingenious expedient of avoiding differ.
cntial duties by studiously holding up
that the overland trade is contraband,
and fine must be imposed. Were our
laws to make certain fixed amount
the penalty for an assault, say FIVE dol
lars, we could we'll imagine a man
knocking his man down and tlicn rum
ming to the Police Magistrate and say
ing :" there's your five dollars for an as.
sault." 80 it is with importing mcr.
chandisc over the boundary it is all
the time contrary to law" and yet
tho law is satisfied by the payment OF
the three per cent. and no contiscation.
Had tho proclamation established Gus.
tom House on the frontier instead OF
recognizing ono contrary to law" the
three per cent. could never have been
collected. For the latter would have