The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-11
Tariff Revision.
From the ". Y. Tribune.

From the ~. 7. Tribune.
Since it is conceded on all hands that re-
vision of the present tariff is desirable, We
think the House decided unwisely that the bill
should be kept in Committee of the Whole,
instead of going back to the Ways and Means.
The latter committee might make in one day
notifications that would command general
assent, yet which would consume many days
in Committee of the Whole.
Let us endeavor to make palmer an impor-
tant distinction too generally ignored
The duties on imports are levied for reve
nue., though some Of them incidentally pro-
tect important branches of our home industry
from overthrow by foreign competition. (The
first tariff ever framed under the Federal
Constitution expressly declared that it was in
tended to provide for the support of the Gov
erpment, the payment OF the public debt,
and the protection Of domestic manufacturer
But two-thirds of the $l60, 000 900 per annum
now levied upon imports have no relation
whatever to protection. Such are the amounts
received from duties on sugar, tea, coffee,
spices, silks, tropical fruits, etc. etc. True,
it may be said that the sugar duty does protect
the sugar industry of the lower parishes of
Louisiana, while it may somewhat stimulate
the production Of maple sugar and of sorghum
syrup; but the duty on sugar was imposed
mainly, if not wholly, because of the money it
would bring into the Treasury.
The imposts levied on the articles above
named are high, because the Treasury must
be filed. The receipts at our custom houses
are very nearly absorbed by payments of inte-
rest on the national debt, and whatever por-
tion of those receipts are not needed to pay
interest ought to be devoted to the reduction
of the principal. We can collect from liquors,
tobacco, incomes, and other internal sources
enough to detray the current cost of the Gov
eminent, and should appropriate every dollar
of the custom-house receipts to the national
debt.
Let il be distinctly comprehended that more
than one hundred millions (fve-eighths) OF
our duties upon imports are levied upon arti-
cles which have nothing to do with protection.
If it were practicable to reduce them one-half,
or to abolish them altogether, the principle OF
protection would be nOwise affected. Those
who represent these duties as protective defy
common sense as well as honesty.
Can they safely be reduced
Possibly some of them may be; but nothing
should be done to this end without grave
consideration. The Federal revenue is none
too large at present-in fact it is not so large
as it should be. Were we buying up aud
burning one million dollars of public debt
weekly, we might very soon fund our Five
twenties at lower interest. II is the enor-
nous volume of our debt, coupled with threats
and fears of its reputation, that compels us
to pay so high rates of interest. We ought
not only to resolve to pay our debt honestly,
but actually resume paying it, in order to
stiflen our credit so as to compel reduction
of interest.
In order to effect reputation, it is nowise
requisite that we should resolve to repudiate.
We need say or do nothing in the premises,
but simply repeal or reduce tax after tax
till there shall be nothing in the Treasury
wherewith to pay, when repudiatiOn is inevi
table.
Every one admits that our imports are toe
large in proportion to our exports-that, as q
people, we overspend our income. All say
that we should export more, or import less,
or both. Mr.. Wells has no doubt on this
point.