The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-05

of Sir Colin Campbell. Ducai honors and
pension were decreed to the first Lordiy
honors and pension were decreed to the
second. Neither the one nor the other have
yet been decreed to Napier; but it may be
taken for granted that unles, Napier has
special objections he will be voted handsome
pension and made peer of the realm Napier
deserves it; and the New YORK HERALD,
strange as 1t may seem, has more to do with
Napiers fame than any British journal. Thus
it is that the world rights ITSELF
MIR. MorriIE's Warehousns B!i and the
Protective Policy.
Mr.. Morrill, has reported bill to the House
Of Representatives, with an elaborate argu-
ment from the Committee on Manufactures, for
modifying the warehousing system. 1t APP
pears from this report that sundry petitions
had been made to Congress praying for the re-
peal or modification of the existing ware
housing laws, and that the action of the com
mittee is the result Of an investigation into the
questions presented by these petitions. That's,
afew manufacturers appeal to Congress for more
protection, and few high protective policy
members OF the committee recommend, in
long argument on protection, the modification
of the warehousing system and report bill
for that purpose. By the existing ware
housing system the importer is permitted to
place his goods in the public stores or bonded
warehouses, where they may remain three
years without payment of duties or interest on
duties, but are subject to an additional charge
of ten per cent upon the duties if they remain
more than one year, and are subject, of
course, to charges for storage In other
words, duties are only payable upon the with
drawal of the goods for the market or con-
sumption 1t is estimated that about half the
goods imported are entered for warehousing,
and that there is on an average about forty two
millions Of dollars worth of imported commo-
dities constantly remaining in warehouse.
This, however, is much too high an estimate
for the last eight months.
The object of the warehouse system was to
give every facility to importers to adapt the
sale of their goods to the market and to make
the United States great centre for the dis
tribution of commerce. While there can be
no doubt that this has been great convenience
to trade in general throughout the country and
in promoting commerce with other countries,
it has been especially benefc to the mer-
chants Of New York and those of our other
commercial cities. 1t would be difficult to
estimate the great advantages to this mighty
commercial centre of America. But Mr..
Morrill, is only looking at the interests, or sup
posed interests, of few manufacturers. Hence
he proposes by the bill reported to afford adj
ditional protection to the manufacturers in
imposing interest at the rate of six per cent
per annum in gold upon the amount of duties
on goods, wares or merchandise lying in the
warehouses. in addition to the charges now
made, from the time Of entry until the with
drawal for consumption. Besides, the mer-
chant is to make declaration in writing veri-
fed by oath or affirmation, at the time of entry,
as to whether his merchandise is for home
consumption or expectation, and is to be
bound to dispose of it accordingly.
These protectionists are like the horseleech
spoken of by Solomon; they cry, Give, give"
and are never satisfied. The New England
manufacturers, as well as the iron and other
manufacturers. are well protected now The
necessity for raising large revenue for the
government has afforded them an opportunity
to tax the rest Of the community heavily and to
become enormously rich. The farmers, la
borers, tradesmen, the mass of the people
yes, more than ninety five per cent of the whole
population-are paying thirty, forty or fifty per
cent more for what they buy and use than the
mported value to protect and make rich few
manufacturers, who are less than five per cent
of the population. Yet these rapacous cor
morants are not satisfied. OF course Mr. Nor
rill, in behalf of the manufacturers, reiterates
the old exploded story of the general welfare,
of increasing the national wealth and of the
pensation in home market among the manu-
facturers for their products. But the people
are too enlightened at the present day to be-
lieve all this. They know there is little diff
Guilty in finding markets for their products
when trade is free, or comparatively free,
and they are not disposed to pay two dol
lars for one simply to protect and make
rich few manufacturers. The idea
of protection in this age Of enlarged and en-
larging commerce, when railroads, steam power
and the telegraph are rapidly bringing all ma
tions into close intercourse and brotherhood, Is
absurd. Mr.. Morrill, and his colleagues of the
Committee on Manufactures are the veriest Rip
Van Wrinkles; they are behind the times and
do not know that the world moves. The incl
dental protection afforded by the necessity of
raising large revenue is sufficient and more
than the manufacturers ought to have If the
government did not need an enormous income
from imports 1t is to be hoped Congress will
soto "a To-, ~ NJ