The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-26
Ghs sw GsIfaIss Ggsstsal.
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY %, 1899.
The r.saaeuv. Veto on IN. copper san.


'To the House Of Representatives:
" The accompanying bill. regulating the duties
on imported copper and copper ores, is fof tas
following reasons returned, without my approval,
TO the House OF Representatives. in which branch
of Congress il originated: It's immediate effects
will be TO diminish the public receipts, for the OBJ
ject OF the bill cannot be accomplished without
seriously affecting tie importation OF copper and
copper ores, from Shicb considerable revenue is
at present derived. While thus impaifiDg the re-
sources Of the government, il imposes an addition
al tax on the already overburdened people, woo
should not be further impoverished that monopo'
lies may be fosteTed and corporations enriched
Il is represented and the declaration seems TO be
sustained By evidence. that the, duties for
which this bill provides are nearly or quite
sufficient to prohibit the importation Of GER
tam foreign ores Of copper. Its enactment,
therefore, will prove detrimental to She shipping
interests Of the nation, and 81 the same time de-
stroy the business, for many years successfully
established, OF smelling ores, in connection with
a smaller amount. Of the imported articles. This
business, 1t is asserted has heretofore yielded the
larger share of the copper production OF the
country, and thus the industry which this legisla'
ton is designed to encourage, is actually less than
that which viii be destroyed b. tie passage OF
the bill 1t seems also 70 be evident that the
effect Of this measure will DO TO enhance, by
seventy per cent, the cost OF blue yltrioi, an
article extensively used in dying and the manu-
factrre o. printed and colored cloths. To pro-
duce such an augmentation in the price OF the
commodity will be 10 discriminate against other
great branches Of industry, and by increasing the
cost TO expose them most unfairly 70 tne effects OF
foreign competition. Legislation cen neither be
vie nor lust which seeks the welfare Of single
interest at tho expense and to the injury of the
mary and various interests equally important end
In the consideration of this, indeed It is diff
cult TO find any reason which will justify the in
reference Of the government with any legitimate
INDUSTRY except SO far Es may be rendered necss.
bx-fb a re Of
beer already stated, however. the legislative In.
terventiou proposed in the present instance will
diminish and not increase public receipts. The
enactment Of such law Is urged as necessary for
| the relief of certain mining interests on Lake
Superior which it is alleged are in greatly de.
pressed condition, and can only be sustained by
an enhancement OF the price OF copper. Ii this
result ehould follow the passage OF the btu, tax
| for he exclusive benefit of single class would
| be imposed upon the consumers of copper
throughout the entire country, not warranted by
O need of the government, and the avails Of which
| would not, ia any degree, mad their way into the
treasury OF the nation.
"If he mines of Lake Superior are in con-
dition Of want, it can not be justly affirmed that
| the government should extend charity TO Them in
preference to those Of its citizens whos in other
| portions of the country, suhef IN like manner.
Lesst OF all should the endeavor TO aid them be
| based on a method SO uncertain and indirect as
! that contemplated By the bill, and which, more
over proposes to continue the exercise o. lts Dele-
1 faction through
sides reasonable 10 hope that II positive suffering
| from want Of it really exists, il viii prove but
temporary In region where agricultural labor Is
SO much In demand, and SO well compensated.
| "a careful examination Of the Subject appears
/ 70 show that the present low price Of copper,
/ which alone has induced any depression the
mining interests Of Lake Superior may have expe-
rienced, Is due 10 causes which it is wholly impol-
itic if not impractcabe, 70 contraYene oy legls-
| lstiou These causes are in the main, increase in
I . n
| covery and working Of remarkably productive
mines, and TO q ooinc;dent reduction Ia the con-
sumption and use Of copper by the substitution Of
other and cheaper metals for industrial purposes.
II is now thought to resist, by artificial means the
action Of natural laws TO place the people OF The
| United StsteE in respect 10 the enjoyment and
Use Of an essential commodity, on different basis
from other nations, especially 10 compensate GER
| tain private aud sectional interests for changes
which are always coincident to industrial prog
| ress
| "Althousb providing for an Increase Of duties
| the proposed law does not even come within the
| range OF protection in the fair ecceptston of the
| terra. Il does not lock 20 the fostering OF 9
! young and feeble interest with view 10 tbs ult
| mste attainment Of strength and capacity OF self
| support. II appears to assume that the Inability
| for successful production is inherent and perma
nent, and more likely to increase than to be grad
| ualy overcome. Yet, In spite of this, IL proposes
By the exercise OF the law.msking power, 10 sus
tain that interest ard impose it in hopeless per
petuity IS tax upon the competent and oeneh
cent industries Of the country.
"The true method for the mining interests OF
Lake Superior TO obtain relief, If needed, 10 to en-
desvor &c make their great natural resourcesfully
available, by reducing the cost OF production
Special OF class legislation can not remedy the
| evils which this bill is designed to meet They
can only be overcome by laws which will effect
| wise, honest economical administration OF th
government, a re-estshlishment of the speci
| standard of value, and an esrly adjustment OF on
State, municipal and national taxstion-especial.
the letter-on the principIe that al taxes WhSthe
| collected under the internal revenue, or under
tariff shall interfere as little as possible with IL
| productive energies of the people. This Bill ID
therefore, returned. in the belief that the true in
teresis Of the government and OF the people re
| quire that il should not become a law.
"AEDREw JoHNsoN."