New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-13
PRICES IND DUTIES.

IhICEO dND DO4LAc'
The duty of the Press to deal honestly with
the public, is one which the public should reso-
lutely insist on. Differ as we may, and proba-
blv must, about politics and theories, there is
urgent reason that we should be careful as to
the presentation of facts. Hence, when Gov.
Seymour, sixteen months ago, asserted in Con-
necticut, on the eve of an important election,
that the Republicans were raising -Four Hund-
red Millions per annum, paying but One Fund
red Millions of it to the public creditors, and
spending the residue-Three Hundred Millions
per annum-in subiugating and depressing the
South, we felt constrained to rebuke the false
hood in such manner as to prevent it's repetl-
ton A good many were shocked at our
calling the distinguished calumniator liar;
Int none of them could resist our demonstra-
ton that he was just exactly that.
The n. Y. Times sees fit editOray to say
that C.., -. ,..,
tbe Same time But is not dear Lumber equally worthy
attentions Every family directly feels the effect OF
tax trklch practically doubles The fdr ordinary price Of
mel but they are equally affected indirectly. by the tax
on lumber which enhances enormously the cost OF
sares-COa Iron, LuInber-stand on the same basis ia
respect Of taxation When they shall nave gS hese ar
free, the tax on yet another necessary sa WI" NOT
mOnOpOiss contemplate Dod step rams are sSiu 70
be on foot for the purchase by them OF the principal Nova
oSpSisss OF he TGiG With the present axbarrer re-
moFed shall not be frightened Monopoly cannot DC
master long IN an open market
Comments BY The Tribune.
Had The Times informed its readers that the
present duties on Coal are forty cents per tun
on Anthracite and SIT per tun Of 224O pounds
ON Bituminous, they would have been enabled
-1,okI 1rtftn do llNy
"double the fair, ordinary price of fuel"-
Coal now retailing here at $40 per tun or over.
The Free Traders tell us that Nova Scotia
Coal may ROW be laid down here at 50 per
tun, duty paid; but that does MT enable us to
buy any at such a rate. And, whether it be or
be not already true that "the Coal mOnOpO-
"lists" of the Anthracite region have their
eyes fixed on the Nova Scotia mines, it doubt
less ,viH be true ere long. He is poor stu
dent of human nature who imagines that Nova
Scotia Goal mOnOpOlists" would MT like to
pocket profit of 81 or So per tun as well as
their Pennsylvania brethren, or would refuse
to enter into an arrangement" by which that
end would be secured. We hope Congress
may promptly place Coal of all kinds on the
free list; for we want to see those who pre-
tend that the tax practically doubles the fair
ordinary price of fuel" brought to shame
and confusion. We shall doubtless have Coal
cheaper than now, Just as we now have Freights
to the West much cheaper than usual; but the
Customs Tariff will affect the one no more
than the other.
The remark that Monopoly cannot be master
Z" long in an open market does little credit to
The TjReSs sagacity. The monopoly" that
has run up the price of Coal is monopoly by
few Railroad and Canal Companies of the
means of transportation between our Coal region
and the seaboard. Those Companies, closely
combined, are now clutchiDg the lions share
of the profits realized from Coal But they are
by no means singular in their operations. 1t
now costs twice what it formerly did TO bring
Coal to this market from Nova Scotia. If they
were willing to work for old prices, many ad-
ditiOnal vessels might find employment in this
trade. We are not debating prices to them
we are simply stating facts People who own
vessels like good prices, as we'll as those who
own coal-mines or railroads. t."
Foreign Lumber now pays duty of twenty
five per cent ad valorem. Not fifth part of
our country ever buys or sells q stick of Ii
not fourth would, if 1t were admitted free of
duty. Lumber now pays tax graded consid-
erably below the Revenue standard while the
wages of those who cut, saw, and raft it are
very far below those paid to the rival lumber
men of this country.
1t is very easy to cry out against taxation
but The Times, we presume, does not desire the
Reputation of our National Debt. To paw the
interest and gradually reduce the principal of
that Debt, VIC ought to raise Two Hundred
Millions per annum, with half as much more
for the current expenses of the Government.
If we are to abolish taxes as sweepingly as
The Times suggests, we shall not be able to
fund our Debt at lower rates, for We shall
soon be unable to pay promptly the accrung
interest. ''.'
AS to Salt. if we could induce the Free |