The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-23
NASSAU MUSGTrs.
CONVENTION OF NEW ENGLAND MANUFACTURE

CONVENTION OF NEW ENGLAND MANUFACTURE
az ERs. -s So. 1000
WORCESTER, Jan. 22-The Convention of
Manufacturers of New England assembled at
II o'clock. Nearly thousand delegates were
present. The various manufacturing inter-
ests OF New England were represented by some
of the leading business men of New England.
All CT the New England States have sent del
egates, who come with authority to give ex-
preston to the prevailing sentiment of their
constituents upon the Important subject of
taxes, and the doings of the convention may
therefore be regarded as the verdict of the
whole of New England. a-'-
The Committee of Arrangements were en-
gagged till 2 late hour this morning in perfect
ing the order of proceedings, and the utmost
harmony prevailed. The convention was call
ed to order by Hon. William c. Plunkett of
Adams, and Mayor Blake of Worcester was
chosen temporary chairman. Gen. John H.
Reed OF Boston, was appointed chairman of
the committee on permanent organization, and
subsequently reported the name of Hon. VIM,
Gray Tor President, and a list OF about fifty
vice Presidents, among whom were John b.
Brown, I'll. j. Libby and Charles Staples of
Portland, Augustus Haines of Biddeford and
John H. Burleigh of South Berwick, Maine.
A committee on resolutions was raised, E. A.
Straw, of Manchester, N H., chairman.
Rev. DIR. Hill of Worcester offered prayer.
The President then addressed the conven-
ton. After rec1ting the dongs of the Cleve-
land convention, he said it is grave mistake
to suppose that there is any real antagonism
between the East and the West. We find an
entire accord in the principles which govern
the action of men of business in these two por-
tons of our country. The mainter ance-frst
and afways-of the public credit; the full per-
Torrance of national obligations according to
the general understanding of their true intent
at the time when they were created, without
resorting to niceties of technical interpreted
ton to evade them; the sure and ample pro-
visions for all annual expenses and interest
with careful eye to a surplus of income over
expenditure; the administration of the govern
ment with wise and careful economy; the
appointment of competent men to official sta
ton; proper provisions to prevent fraud aud
corruption, whether public or private-are
principles equally valued. by intelligent up
right men, under whatever sky their lot may
be cast. H
There can be no hesitation in this Conven-
ton in asserting to the statements by the
special commissioner of the Internal Revenue
shat the first practical step for the relief OF
the country from the present burdens of taxa
ton should be retrenehment, immediate and
most extensive" that not over fifty per cent.
of the amount of the assessed internal reve-
nue. taxes is received into the Treasury. The
trouble Is not i'll the character of taxation but
the character of the administration and ma
chinery employed to collect the taxes. A re-
form in admi nistration will admit of reduc-
ton OF taxation beyond the limits indicated"
"That relief shou be afforded to the greatest
=
impede production -taxes which, when first
imposed, We're drawn from profits, and were,
therefore, to a certain extent, justified, but
which, with the present reduction of value,
fall mainly upon capital" And shat re-
moval of all the internal taxes which materi-
ally impede production will be followed by an
immediate and great revival of domestic in
dustry."
We must raise an amount of revenue which
shall be sufficient to meet annual expenses and
interest the Onhiir .daht lndar tha
adverse circumstances; and a well devised
system which will yield such an amount of
revenue in a'time of the greatest depression
will, in an average OF years, afford large sur
plus, which should be sacretly applied to the
purchase and extinction of the public debt
from time to time. Whilst the law imposing
taxes should amply provide for expenses and
interest, II it expressly pledged all surplus in
come to the purchase and extinction of the
debt, we shall reach the goa ultimately to be
desired, with least disturbance, and at an ear
her day by leaving the industry of the coun-
try most free to develop itsel.. .-
If the expenses of the Government should
be reduced to 100000 900, and the estimate for
interest S13O,0O0oOO, be added, S25O,OOO,OOO will
meet these payments. ss 'rs.4sl.
The estimated amount relied on from customs
is S150.000000, and if we add 800, 600 900 from
intern revenue taxes, the income would
meet the expenditure proposed. 1t might not,
however, be prudent to reduce the income so
largely the present year, and the income tax
can be continued for single year to cover
contingencies. s.H - 4AN#a N
The action of the Convention is generally
indicated in the following resolution;
Whereas, this Convention OF New England
manufacturers has been called to endorse the
dolngs of the Manufacturer National Con-
yention held at Cleveland, Dec. IS, 1867, there
fore, be it ~ lsrrss ssfrsfst. 81 aEGs
&Reso!ued, That as the sole purpose of this
Convention is to obtain from Csngress the i'm
mediate removal of all taxes unon Inanufac.
lures aud productions, except luxuries, and to
change the mode of assess ment and collection
OF the revenue and the appointment and re-
moval of revenue officers, we will strictly con-
fine the action Of the Convention to such pur-
poses. .-f z Eea . fk 4sta
Addresses were made by Hon. William
Gray Mayor Blake, Of Worcester. and other
gentlemen. A series of resolutions setting
forth the offset of the Convention in. detail
were adopted. %AM eS9@