The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-25
NIanufactnrers' National Convention

To the Editor Of the Press:
My letter of vest rday gave you SIMPLY 'n0
organization, of tLa convention, with some ac-
count ,f;+, .,o,.o,nez On calling the conven-
t;o,, 60 - yesterday afternoon the Presi-
r.. - 70 he excused, aud called the first
w. President, Mr.. G, w. Cochrane OF
Massachusetts,, 20 the chair. Letters were
Rad from Dtvid A. Wells, Special Commits
siouer of Internal Revenue, VIM. ID. Kei-
ley NJ. c., of Pennsylvania. j. r. Moorhead,
M. c., of Pennsylvania, VIM. Lawrence, NJ. O..
of Ohio, James NJ. Cooper, Esq, of Pittsburg,
Senator johnson of Maryland, Senator Came
ron of Pennsylvania, James A. Garfield, NJ. c.,
of Ohio, 7. S. Paxton of New XorK, Vice
President of the National Wool Growers
Association, Governor Grape of Michigan, ana
Stephen Colwell and John l.. Hayes OF Boston,
expressing sympathy with the OBJECT OF the
convention and repretting their inability to be
nresent The corrected list del gates was
them ra,d showing three names from Maine
fR r Hamilton of Bangor, and Charles Sta
n,es and f.. N Dow of Portland), one from
Vermont, none from New Hampshire or Rhode
Island. nineteen from Massachusetts, and one
from Connecticut. The remaining States rep
resented are New York, Pennsylvania, Mary
land, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and
Wisconsin. 4. ........ .
The committee on resc lutio1s and memori-
ais reported at the evening session as fol-
lows:
Resolved That this Convention afirms-frst and
before all considerations Of al anaee to individuals
or classes-the sacredness of full and just ultimate
payment of the Lational debt, and that IN urging
change and reduction OF Internal Revenue taxation
would bear in mind the financial condition of the
country, and tie expenses and just obligations OF
the Government, and SO plan our reform as to I'M
prove that condition, aud thus in fit time, meet
those Obligations VITA more ease and greater GER
taintr. ds Il. vi Lat. '.i
Resotved, That however cheerfully our taxes
borne, when necessary, in the crisis OF great war;
now that our condition is changed many of them
are unnecessary, and depress the business and ham
er the productive industry ofthe country, and that
our burthensome and exhaustive internal taxation
should be speedily reduced to the wants OF an eco
nomical administration of fiscal affairs; and since
the revenue under existing laws, may be estima ed
at $780, 900 per annum than sucl, necessities
require, the I'M e.na revenue tax tstamp duties ex-
cepted) on all manufactures and productions-luxu
ries excepted--should be removed. 2TU
Whereas, Tho experience of the world shows
that the most simple systems of taxa ion, raising
revenue from few sources, insure most ease, econ
Omy and certainty therefore, tf-
Resolved, Thatit is full time the cumbrous and
parpiexng details and crudties OF system new,
and therefore imperfect, as ours. be put aside, that
simp ity order and economy may take their place.
Resolved. That we mlly endorse and commend the
statement of the Secre airy OF the Treasury in his
late report 'that it is evident that the adminlstra
ton of the revenue law must be efficient than
at present save The service from utter demoraiza
tim, land in view of the grave truth of that ate
ment we would urge upon Congress, as of highest
Importance, the adoption of some plaza Board Of
Examiners, or some adequate means by which char
acter, tneSs and responsib lily shall be rigdv de-
maudel of all revenue ofiicia and also reform
sponsib power, without judge or jury, to piundtr
honorable men. and fatten on their share of the
spoils thus 1asely gained. d tse ail lrH
| Whereas Official statements show that the Ma
| tlona Debt has been reduced $685. 1876, 121, since
Sept 1st 1867 and whereas the experience OF these
two years inst closed shows that The severe and om-
plcated taxation necessary tor suth heavy and
speedy payments, ifcont nue1, Will exhaust and par
ayZe the resources aud la6or of the country; there
\ fore, -
Resolrea, That such rapid reduction of the debt is
frau9ht with danger in the future, and should
not be continued and that only when ell the States
OF the Union are in financial condition to pay their
due share should the debt be reduced, by asma sum
annually, increasing IS The growth Of wealth and
populat ON allows, with a view TO full payment so
soon it nc safely done, without perilous ex-
Resolved That we deem it Of great importance that
constant and systematic care lie USED that gosern-
mental income and outgo balance, with the differ
ence, ii any, the surplus side; since without such
care it is utterly impossible to adjust revenue mat
1ers wi ely, tr for the common good, aud equally
impossible TO avoid shameful nation al financial diff
cuties; and therefore we would urge that fit Com
mitLees OF. Boards be chosen by Congress and the
Treasury Department, to meet, infer and fully and
carefully inform each other of probable incomes and
expenses, thai all appropriations may be made with
IA careful eye to this balance to observe and main
tain which is honor and su cess TO ignore destroy
| which l. shame and embarrassment for individual
! or nation alike. t I'D -iv -ir' t-i-.
| The first, third, fourth and fifth resoluti ons
were adopted without discussion. The second
was amended to except stamp duties, but a
motion to except also the license tax did not
prevail. The sixth was objected to by Mr..
Greenbaum of Chicago, as foreign to the OBJ
ject of, the convention, but was defended by
Mr.. johnson of Cincinnati and finally adopt
! ed by unanimous vote. ....it
Two memorials addressed to Congress were
| then reported by the committee. The first
calls for reform in the civil service OF thesgov-
eminent. The second recommends that our
| revenue be derived hereafter wholly from the
| following sources: .f1Ua4 ft57 BE-
| Distilled SPIRITS twhiskeyl at least $4,000, GOO
| Fermented liquors and wines, 7,5OO,J0
| Tobacco, Cigars and snuff, i2'4 t q, 000, OF 0
| Gross receipts, (Steambeats. .RailH avs, ,s
| Banks, insurance, Railways, &c., (div- Ioo'o0o
idends and depos'ts,) - 14OOO, 900
| Licenses, with 30 per cent added to last
| years receipts, e> safag l0.I 27,t0ooOo
| Legacies and SUGGESTIONS, ..-..- $500. 200
Stamps, '- t8i s5i t.t -f-i.'." 20, orc, 0t0
Brokers sales OF foreign bills gold, &C., 5000 COO
| Micellaneous, 21,000,0O0
| Total, ..-,-..r ... .. $119, 800, 900
| Receipts from customs, 150,OOO,O00
5 s95il.o1 os m9a.f a -.
Total $329, 500, 600
| This wopld reduce cur taxes from SIG to
| 1857 per capita, which would be between t. e
French taxation of $797 aud the English of
| $40. go per capita, and would greatly Simplify
| the labor of collection.
Both memorials were adopted, the first
unanimously, the second with two dissenting
| votes. ~ hnE a-l sau dfai'a j1.iia Z
| A committee of one from each State, Sc
lected by the State delegations, was APP
pointed to present the resolutions and memo
rails to Congress. fe.lo9 ler!i OF c8,IGr-g ST.
At brief session this morning the consti-
tuition of permanent Manufacturers Assoc
citation was adopted and the officers of the con
vention, declared officers of the Association,
which adjourned to meet in this city next
May. D.