New-York tribune., 1869-01-05

es offered the European manufacturer Of using
the American markets for temporary realization to meet
for the, disposal at any sacrifice Of stock which may
have happened to constitute an unstable surplus in
Europe. The argument that f foreigners willing 10
sell goods under cost ia our interest to receive the
loses IN great its force from the fact that such
trade Is not regular and legitimate but spasmodic and
exceptional and renders success IN many branches or
Industry dependent upon accident rather than upon the
exercise OF SKILL foresight and prudence In short SUCH
trade perpetual menace to the domestic market with
out producing any commensurate good ,,o,u,,..
During the period OF commercial depression trOuRnOut
Europe In 1867 IT Is known to the Commissioner tat u
question %h many Of the % ther
operatives to dsperse 70 continue their manufacturing
operations at loss retaining thereby their supply Of
skilled labor and many instances tho latter alternative
was decided to be the most advantageous Ii such eases
the American market was regarded as the most available
10. the disposal Of the commodities thus manufactured
not 0n, without profit but with absolute loss, even
under the most favorable condition as regards European
prices for labor an material Now, how far 1t Is for the
interests Of this country to allow itself to be made the
means Of assisting foreign manufacturers to tide over
ton but the Commissioner has no dOGpt that even tne
temporary gain which might result to the Quted states
der such ccnmstances would be than COMPENSATED
by the disturbance which would be occasoned thereby 70
legitimate domestic industry. II should however, Oe re,
marked, that tho condition Of things as here described
must be necessarily Of short duration in any particular
There Is furthermore another view Of this question
which cannot be overlooked in this country-s soIsi
aspect Free trade looks only to the Increase OF wea
1t takes account Of social results 1t does NOT oven
regard the distribution OF property. Even English econ
patton, and sameness Of occupation means iardy dee
opmen Of society But in this country every man IS
citizen and nearly citizen voter AS the posses
sors OF power cannot afford TO have any class OF TIE
people ignorant socially degraded TO insure safe
must be certain scale Of wages and these must be Iea
lively higher than are paid to the eompetng ap9or 81
denied These degraded labOrers constitute the danger
to exist n America whatcve discrimination, therefore,
may be necessary TO keep up the social status and te
ia a
OF that system amply repays.
raw materials and other elements of production in the
United States England France and elsewhere and for
the report conciudes:l
Tn what has thus been submitted the Commlssoner ne
eves that he has sufficiently indicated his views IN re-
spect to the tariff lie cannot resist the conclusion mat
1t stands it is in many respects injurious aud de-
structive, afford to American industry that
stimulus protection which is claimed its chef
asked IN the bills pending before Congress,
would be but TO aggrayate the very difficulties under
hinder the return to specie pay ments. .,.. -.
reny based upon the old falaey that IN the exchange
OF commodities between nations, which constitutes COM
merce, what gains the other loses 1t needs Dut
moments thought to convinced that there be no
permanent trade commerce unless 1t Is Tor the gam OF
both nations; all trade is based upon the mutualy OF
services and It one the evidences Of the progress OF
modern thought that the Eterdependence OF nations is
beginning to be recognized. This Is emnenty true III
England France and Germany, true China and Japan
truc even In Spain, but not yet recognized n lhe oeu
thought. ,,,.,
Will these feelings and convictions he would therefore
prove to lis trust did he not here enter hrs most
earnest protest against further general increase OF
the tariff but would, Oh the contrary, recommend
First: An enlargement OF the free list
Second reduction OF some rates OF duty ana, rs an
exception Of few others. with view TO the
increase OF the revenue. =.
absolute abatement the simple ground that the
reduction OF duty Is the reduction OF tax and that the
most efficient method OF protecting Nome INDUSTRY Dy
the removal OF obstacles In the form or taxes.
IN. Tha IN Ia
the al yalOrem duties Into specrcs as the only
practicable method OF nsurng certainty and equality ia
The assessment OF duties and the prevention OF uder
valuations and the abrOgatoD OF the privilege whien en-
sbea returning import free OF dnty amount
OF goods ondng TO their real or supposed social
position. -, r.
In behalf OF the conclusions thus expressed the Com.
missioner confidently appeals to the true friends or
American industry for cOuntenance ana support lor
nothing certain than that II unnecessary ana
inquitOus burdens Of taxation under the thriH continue
be laid the people the day IA not Tar distant wnen
reaction OF public sentiment will compel either sweep
lug reduction OF duties. induce through agitation suc
an instability In legislation will In itself prove most
injurious and de- stInetive.
The Commissioner does not believe II eNpedient In t
general report, to enter upon the specific details oI
tariff revision. but the precise changes required IN his
Judgment wl II called for be presented m the form OF
additional report OF be submitted personally 10 the
Finance Committee Of Congress As bill proposing q
change the existing warehouse system n, however,
now pending before Congress- some recommendations IN
respect to this topic herewith appended la the form
Of supplement. / have the honor to be yours, very
| respoctfuly DAVID A. WELLS
Special Commissioner OF the Revenue.
Hon. HUGH McCULLOCH, secretary OF the Treasury.
the operations Of the Bonded Warehouse system and an
| appendix consisting OF the dissertation OF George
Walker esq the currency The entire Report hs lilo
| '"hN' NN''''N'