The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-21


people as a whole-viewed in reference 70 the
States of the South as well as of the North |
10 the people of all social classes aud gra6a-
tions-is not ss energetic, industrious, and
selfdependent as that OF the American peo.
pie. Besides the army and the ecclesias-
teal orders, there are great classes of non-pro-
ducers and ldlers; and these, put all together,
make up large proportion of the population
that do not contribute 10 the national wealth,
but actually enfeeble its power. Ignorance, SUI
perstition, and Incidence are their fundamental
characteristics, and these are not the growth of
day, but the product OF centuries which seem
now almost to have become permanently fixed.
We know no way by which this can be quickly
changed. Difficult as 1T would be to get rid Of
the army, or be relieved from ecclesiastical
clogs, 1t would be easy to achieve success in
both compared with the achievement of sue
cess in the enlargement OF the national ener-
gles, and the elevation of national haoitudes.
The great broad basis of the financial strength
anO the material prosperity OF the United
States lies not alone or mainly in the national
resources of the country, but in the character
lstics of the American people-their universal
industry, energy, intelligence, and freedom.
The Report on Domestic Industry.
From the Tribune.
The Special Commission for examining the
sources of national revenue and the means Of
collecting the same, has just issued another of
its valuable supplementary Reports, showing
the relations Of foreign trade TO our industrial
interests.
1t points out foroibly that the burden of our
internal taxation is oppressive to the producing
interests of the country; and that we are suaer.
ing from excessive importations of foreign goods,
the product of cheap capital and illpad labor.
II we would encourage national progress and in
dependence without debasing our laborers we
must protect them inst unscrupulous foreign
competition. We must check this exchange of
promises to pay for goods we do not need, or
ought 10 make for ourselves. The necessary
burdens entailed by the wer are heavy enough
without adding to them by the selfseme means
| that cIiEples our industry. In word, it is time
| we should stop enriching foreigners who make
| us their creditors, but rather develop our own
resources, and give competent support to our
| toilng millions.
After having gone over the whole field of tax
| alton, both heme and foreign, the Committee
recommends that the load should be largely
| taken from our own staple products and laid
| upon demoraliZing ruinous foreign impCrtatons.
| That is tine most benefcent, as 1t Is also the
most trustworthy source OF revenue.
1t IS more easily and cheaply collected. o.
| viously, any system OF taxation, whether OF
customs or excise, ought to be fairly and rigidly
enforced. A vital objection to our present
system is the difficulty OF collecting all that Is
| imposed. 1t operates as premium upon fraud.
| perjury, and dishonesty, deDauches the public
conscience, and doubles the taxes of honest
men. Taxation, like punishment, should de
| pend as much upon its certainty as its severity
Internal Revenue Bureau lead us to believe that
not third OF the taxes imposed are collected.
The outcry against the tariff also would be more
sxcusable if the duties were paid. The rates
have to be put up in order to collect the thirty
per cent. which it is estimated eVades duty.
The Committee recommends a change from
ad valerem to specific duties, and we think lays
too much stress upon its value. Notorlously
great frauds are practised in our Custom
Houses by means of false invoices. The APP
praisement system Is found to work badly
This reports cites instances of wine, which werC
invoiced at fifty per cent. less than the marke
price of the same goods at the port or ship
ment But the bulk OF our importatons con
sists OF fnefabrics and articles which cannot b.
we'll appraised even by experts. The difficulty
seems to be rather the enforcement Ofany system
than choice Of methods. Change the dutie!
from ad valorem to specific, that ls to say IRON
cost to quantity. and the dishonest importer
sinply nXes the other margin of his invoice
Instead OF diminished prices he puts diminished
quantities. The same difficulty experienced il
the Apr alser's Department would be felt In tn
Examiners Department. Besides, the law a
now interpreted works in favor OF the erea
monopolsts who buy their fabrics at the manu-
factories in interior Europe while the smalle
dealers pay duty on the added freights, costs
ETC.. to the great markets.
In the interest OF justice and truth, as we'll a
the national economy, committee might b
appointed, similar to tn&t now stirring up tn
vigorous enforcement OF the Internal ReVenu
law, to examine into the WORKING and usage c
the custom houses, that of New York in pal
ticular.