The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-02-26
IN. Pre.,dent's Veto ef the Copper Biu.

"The accompanying bill regulating the duties
OH imported copper and copper ores Is, Tor the
following reasons, returned without my approx
al, To the House Of Representatives, IN which
branch Of COngrr-s it originated -
Its immediate effect will be 20 diminish the
public receipts, for the object OF the bill cannot
be accomplished without seriously affecting the
importation Of copper and copper ores, from
which considerable revenue Is at present derived.
While thus impairing the resources Of the gov
eminent, il imposes an additional tax on an al
ready oyerburdened people, who should not be
further impoverished that monopolists may DC
fostered and corporations enriched. IL Is repre-
sentel, and the declaration seems to be sustain
ell by evidence, that the duties for which TINS
bill provides are nearly or quite suiheient 70
prohibit the importation Of certain iore'sn orc
Of copper.
It's enactment. therefore, viii be detrimental
TO the shipping interest OF the nation, anu NJ
the same time destroy the business ior many
years successfully established, OF smeiung ORES
In connection with n smaller amount OF the I'M
nor,eI article. This business. II Is creditably
asserted, has heretofore yielded larger share
Of the copper production OF the country, ana
thus the industry, which this legislation Is de-
signed to encourage, IS actually less than that
which will be destroyed by the passage OF the
bill. II seems also to be evident that the eject
of this measure will be TO enhance by 10 per
cent the cost Of blue yitriOl, an article exten-
siyely used In dy,ing and in the manufacture
Of printed and colored cloths. To produce such
an augmentation in the price Of this commodity
will be 10 discriminate against other great
branches Of industry, and by increasing their
cost 10 expose them most unfairly TO the effects
Of foreign competition. Legislation can neither
be fair nor Just which seeks the welfare OF =
single interest at the expense and injury OF
many and varied interests, at least equally i'm
portant and equally deserving the consideration
of Congress. Indeed, It is difficult to find any
reason which will Justify the interference OF the
Government with any legitimate industry except
90 far as may be rendered necessary by the re-
quirements of the revenue.
Az has been already stated, however, the leg
islatiye Intervention proposed in the present in
stance will diminish and not increase the public
receipts. The enactment OF such law is urged
as necessary for the relief Of certain mining
interests on Lake Superior. which. II is alleged.
are in a greatly depressed condition, and can
surely be sustained by an enhancement Of the
price Of copper. Ii this result should follow the
massage of the bill, a tax for exclusive benefit OF
n single class would beimposcd upon consumers
Of copper throughout the entire country not
warranted by need Of the Government, and
the ayails (which would not in any degree find
their way into the treasury Of the nation. II
the miners Of Lake Superior are in condition
of want, IL cannot be justly affirmed that the
Government should extend charity to them in
preference 10 those Of its citizens who, in other
notions OF the country. suffer in a like manner
from restitution. Least Of all should the en-
dcayor 10 aid them be based on method 50 un-
certain and indirect as that contemplated by the
bill, and which, moreover. proposes to contin e
the exercise Of its benefaction through an in
definite period Of years. II is. besides, rcason-
able to hope that positive suffering from want,
II il really exists. will prove but temporary In a
region where agricultural labor is 50 much in
demand and 80 well compensated.
A careful examination Of the subject appear
10 show that the present low price OF copper,
which alone has induced any depression in the
mining interests Of Lake Superior, is due to
causes which il Is wholly impolitic, IL not i'm
practicable, to cOntrayene by legislation. These
causes are, in the main, an increase in the gen
eral supply Of copper, owing to the discovery
and working Of remarkably productive mines,
and 10 coincident restriction in the consump-
ton and use Of copper by the substitution Of
ether and cheaper metals for industrial purpos-
~. Its now thought TO resist, by artificial
means, the action Of national laws, and place
the peoplc OF the United States, in respect to the
endowment and use Of an essential commodity,
ON n different basis from other nations, espec-
tally to compensate certain private and sectional
interests, for changes which are always incident
10 industrial purposes. Although providing
for an increase Of duties the proposed law does
not even come within the range OF protection in
a fair acceptstion Of the term. IL does not look
10 the fostering Of q young and feeble interest
with a view to its ultimate attainment OF
strength and capacity and self-support.
II appears 10 assume that the pr,sent inabili-
Nv for successful production Is inherent and
permanent and Is more likely TO increase than
10 be gradually overcome. Yet, in spite OF this,
II proposes by the exercise Of the law-making
mower. TO sustain that interest and to impose It
In hopeless pcrpetuity rs tax on the country.
The true method for the mining interests OF
Lake Superor TO obtain relief, II relief is needed,
Is 10 cndeayor TO make their great natural re-
sources fully available by reducing the cost OF
proluction. Special or class legislation cannot
remedy the evils which this bill is designed to
meet.
They can only be overcome by laws which
viii effect wise, honest and economical admin
istration Of the Governments re-establishment
OF the specie standard ofv value and an early nd
justment Of our system Of State, municipal and
national taxation, especially the latter, on fun
,lamental principal that all taxes, whether col
lcctel under an internal revenue or under
tariff shall interfere rs little possible with the
productive energies Of the people. The bill is
therefore returned in belieftha the true in
tcrcsts Of the Government and the people re
ouirc that il should not become law.
(Signed) ANDREW JoliNsoN'