The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-23
Presidents Message to the House Of Re-
representatives. VetOing the Copper Tariff


Presidents Message to the House of Re-
representatives. VetOins the Copper Tariff
The President, to- day, communicated the fol-
lowing message TO the House OF Representa-
tives:-
The accompanying bill, entitled "An Act Reg
lating the Duties on Imported Copper and Cop
per Ores" is, for the following reasons, returned
Without my approval to the House of Repre-
sentatiVes, in which branch Of Congress 1t
originated. Its immediate effect will be to di-
minish the public receipts, for the objects OF tue
bill cannot be accomplished without seriously
affecting the importation OF copper and copper
oles from which a considerable revenue Is at
present derived. While thus imparlng the re-
sources of the Governments 1t imposes an ad
ditional tax upon an already overburdeued
people who should not be further imp p1verished
that mOuOpolltS may be tOSteTed and corpora
lions enriched. II is represented and the de.
claration seems to be sustained by evidence,
that the duties for which this bill provides are
nearly or quite sufficient to prohibit the impor
tation of certain foreign ores of copper, It's en-
actment, therefore, will prove detrimental
TO the shipping interests Of the nation,
and at the same time destroy the business,
for many years successfully established, OF
smelling home ores in connection with
| smaller amount OF the imported article This
business it is credlbly asserted, has heretofore
yielded the larger share OF the copper produc-
| lon OF the country, ana mus the INDUSTRY
| which this legislation is designed 10 encourage
| is actually less than that which Will be de.
| suoyo by the passage Of the bill. II seems,
| sure Will be to enhance by 10 per cent. the cost
| of blue vitriol, an article extensively used in
| pfinted and colored cloths. To produce
| such an augmentation in the price of this
| commodity will be to discriminate against
| o. her great branches of domestic industry, and
|. by increasing their cost to expose them most
| unfairly to The effects of foreign compeIi-
| tiUn. Legislation can neither be wise nor just
| which seeks the welfare of a single Interest at
| the expense and 10 the injury of many aud
| varied Interests, at least equally important and
| equally deserving the consideration OF Con-
| gress Indeed, IL IL difficult 20 hnd auy reason
| which Will justify the Interference of Gov
| eminent with any legitimate industry;
| except as far as may be rendered
| necessary by the requirements OF the revenue.
| AS has already been stat ed, however, the legis-
| Iative Intervention proposed in the present in.
| +, ceipts. The enactment of such n law is urged
| as necessary for the relief of certain mining
| interests upon Lake Superior, which IL is
| alleged are in q greatly depressed condition,
| and can only be sustained by an enhancement
Of price of copper. If this result should fol-
| low the passage of the bill, TAX for the eXciu-
| siVe bent fit of & single Class would be imposed
upon the consumers OF copper throughout
the enI ire country, not warranted by q ne ed
OF the Government, and the avails of which
would not in any degree mud their way into
the Treasury OF the nation. II the miners of
Lake Superior are in a condition of want, 1t
cannot be justly affirmed that the Government
should extend charity 10 them In preference TO
those of its citizens W no In olher portions of the
country suffer In like manner Irom desti ution.
Least OF ali should the endeaVor To aid them
be based upon method so uncertain and in
discreet as that contemplated by the bill, which,
moreover, proposes TO continue the exercise OF
lis benefaction through an indehnite period OF
years. II is. besides. reasonable to hope that
| positive suffering from want or IL may exist,
1t will prove beneficial in region where agTi.
cultural labor is 80 mucn In demand
and we'll compensated. A careful
examination OF the subject appears TO show
that the present low price of copper which
alone has induced any depression the mining
interest OF Lake Superior may have recently