The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-29

atlon Asked For.
A formidable lobby is concentrating in WASH
ington for the purpose Of influencing Congress
to increase the tariff on certain things, for the
sake Of protection, as 1t is urged, to home pro-
auctions. This means, in fact, moro taxation
upon heavily taxed people for the benefit Of
a very limited number of overgrown capitalists.
The most powerful interests represented in this
lobby are those Of the iron manufacturers Of
Pennsylvania and some other parts, and the
wool growers They want heavier duties on
iron and wool, and will move heaven and earth
to obtain them. There is also considerable
lobby for other special interests but the first
named is the most powerful. While the vast
agricultural interests Of the country, and espe-
cially the impoverished cotton planters, are
heavily and directly burdened with taxes, these
others, which are already well protected,
clamor for more protection.
II is believed that Congress soon after tho
holidays will enter upon the work of revising
the tariff, and that the question Of Southern
restoration and other political matters will be
laid aside for some time for the purpose of
accomplishing that work. Indeed, it is sup
posed that will occupy Congress the greater
part of the remaining short session. Hence
we see the activity and lobby preparations
OF the parties interested. The protectionists
and their newspaper organs talk in the most
ridiculous manner of the languishing business
Of the country, meaning the business of GER
tain classes Of The community. But this is not
true. Everybody knows that these classes,
forming very small part of the great public,
have been for some time past and still are
making immense fortunes. Instead of Ian
gushing they have been doing much larger
and far more profitable business than they ever
did before. They are like the miscr who
pleads poverty and appeals for sympathy
while his Golfers are full Of gold. II is high
time that Congress should take note OF the
false cries of these selfish and hypocritcal pro-
tectionists. There are other greater and more
general interests to be considered than those
of this small class. The whole country should
no longer be taxed Tor their special benefit.
Az to laying on heavier duties for revenue,
and therefore, as il In said, incidentally pro-
tectng the iron, wool ana other interests, that
is not needed, and is altogether out of the
question. The revenue is much too large
now. at least . third lrger than it ought to
be, and instead Of imposing additional duties
the presen. duties should he greatly reduced.
Looking at the psesent revenue and that which
paay be fairly estimated for the next year, tax
alton might be reduced two to three hundred
uillions. Let this reduction be made upon
everything that comes into general and neces-
ssry use, and let u reach TO eur direct taxes;
then there will he no fear Of business Ian
gsishing in the csnntry. Take OF these bur-
dens, and the people will have more means
with which to purchase. Them as . natural
consequence, there viii be a creator eonsump-
tioa of everything and demand for larger
production. In ttaE way ell, and not merely
= few, will be benefited. We hope Congress
WA not listen to the lobby Of selfish protec-
tie.sists in revising the tariff, but take broad,
stasesmanlike actisn,upon the subject, for the
welfare Of the public in general