The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-03
The Paper Question.

makers, in this State, urging Congress not
70 interfere with The 20 per cent duties now
r,auired. To the door Of each Of these e.
cellen. jourpals, must be laid a very large
anon. Of patriotism and philanthropy
snce they have not attempted to show that
che revenue Of the country is increased one
mill BY the prcsen. tariff in this behalf, nor
are they ob,ivious Of the fact, that. in con-
sequence Of the same, nearly one fifth OF the
newspaper press Of the country has been
crushed out. But with them. these items
seem to be Of little account in considering
the protection due to the manufacturers oil
the specific article, paper. The Rennsbec
Journal says;
If there be anything obviously clear. 1t is
that the great national debt which the Wal
has brought on the country, will require 0
high scale Of duties, and that this scale OF
duties should be 81 adjusted rs to protect. de-
velope and build up American labor, Ameri'
can resources, American skill and science,
and American capital.
This is true and demonstrated, but the err
ror Of the Journal consists in making no dis
fiction between protective and prohibito'
ry tariff. The object Of tariff on imports is
divided into two specific parts: First to Gre
ate revenue, and second to protect home
industry. The theory all along entertained
by tho Democratic party, in regard to revs-
nue, 10 to our mind, the only correct one,
viz: to pay the expenses of the Government
mainly by direct tax. This economy
forces capital into the revenue service, in
stead Of the wants Of individuals; while on
the contrary, under the tariff system, the
man who can barely support large family,
is forced to pay to tho revenue, in proportion
to his style Of living. rs much Us the man
who |, worth his millions. Individuals
should DO taxed in proportion to the prosec-
ton received, As tho protection to each per-
son for ..life, liberty, and the pursuit Of hap
piness" is the same throughout the nation,
the poll or personal tax Ia and should be
equal, bu, there the equality ends. and pro-
lection must be measured by the amount Of
capital each possesses.
This system Of taxation Is obviously the
only correct one, and commends itself to CIV.
cry man But unfortunately 1t affords no
protection to homo industry, and for this rca-
son /. is not expsdient. Under tariff, cap.
iial is INDUCED at the expense Of the wants
and necessities of the people; without one,
the reverse is true. What course must We
then pursue in equity? Seek the golden
mean, aud approach the utmost limit Of free
trade consistent with fair protection to our
own manufactures.
This 10 our idea Of Protective Tariff.
Under the present duties II is impossible to
import paper, and the 20 per cent becomes
prchibi,ory, whi:h tho Journal evidently
thinks is the golden mean. and fair. What
has been the rcsult' Since no paper has
been imported, the government has received
no revenue from its importation-by which
loss, the government surely but indirectly
contributes that loss to the manufacturers
Of paper stock, say $500, 900. Every man
who buys newspaper for himself, or a
school book for his child. becomes forced
con,ributor-for what? For the support OF
the government through this terrible crisis?
No, ut all, bu. for the advantage Of the man
uiacturers. As we remarked last week, gov
eminent pays million dollars more for pa
per now. than heretofore. IL is therefore
s,fe to assume in round numbers that the ad-
di,ional expense for the purpose OF pamper-
ing this one article Of home industry is not
less than $500 600 more. The loss in these
two items is ono million dollars, one half is
direct. and the other indirect. but no less a
loss. On this pr ncp'e how long will il take
o person to figure out the liquidation Of the
national debt?
The fact Is. the Journals argument for
this prohibitory per cent, is neither sound in
theory or practice. 1t does not aid the rev.
enue, while II does build up a monopoly ut
the expense Of the pockets Of the people
and furthermore, ito practical result is to dis
crimiuats between the manufacture and the
printing Of paper. We regard the statement
that a modification Of the monopolizing duty
OF 20 per cent, would place US at the mercy
of importers, as an argument OF very
doubtful expedisucy even for tho sake OF NJ
eument. and note that the Journal is content
with assertions only. A total repeal might,
in time. accomplish such end; but that is
not asked, only modification.
We have said enough on this subject and
Close by saying that We have no expectation
that the Senate will pass the House bill. The
combination Of capitalists win bring their
golden powers into operation on that small
CT body. and II they can 50 easily encompass
the "unnatural affection" displayed in Ger,
tain quarters. senatorial virtue may not
Withstand Il. ,.....
Down with the monopoly, say We, and
down with the supporters of any and every
crushing agency to over ride the many to IA
vor the few. DO those supporters 6sh, desh,
or something else! t.-
Tn. ororA.-rhe quota of the State under
the Last call 1, s3s9. Of which the lst District