Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1872-03-28

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The imports in 1860 were $4f4, ,256, ,24S; in
1870, $452, 81, ,885; i'm 1871, $51S, ,759, ,6i8.
The exports in 1859 were, $4l3, 96i, , 115; In
1870, $499, ,092, 173; in 1871, $582, ,518, ,651.
The increase of internal commerce is much
greater than the foreign, and It Is now esti-
mated at four thousand millions of dollars.
The falling off in our merchant marine on
the ocean is caused by the substitution Of iron
ships Of foreign build for our wooden vessels,
and for internal commerce, railroads are
rapidly taking the place Of water navigation.
II foreign built vessels were admitted to
American registry, both for internal and ex-
ternal commerce at reasonable rate Of duty,
this would not only encourage the building
OF American iron ships, but ssit would secure
healthy competition in our internal and coast
ing trade, now absolutely protected BY our
navigation laws Wy ~ si2e'" 5G'iii6
If, then, the wisdom Of our protective
policy Is to be tested by experience; insist
that It has been proved q wise policy BY the
actual condition Of our country. No doubt.
changes are demanded by improving the con-
dition of our finances. q Taxes must rbe re-
duced with the wants of public service; but
every Industry, called into existence by our
policy, every skilled laborer, every capitalist,
every city, villagean hamlet, and community
OF farmers, laborers, 3Or shopkeepers,l whose
industry is employed by reason of our policy,
may demand that changes be made with a,
careful reference to the industry, capital anal
skill employed. In the Development of our
policy in making q reduction, internal taxes
should be first repealed tIns advance of al
definite measure, dealing with internal rev.
enue, l am prepared to say that we can and
ought now repeal all Internal faxesgi EXCEPT
on whisky, tobacco and beer, and toi coflsoii-
date and simplify thenls n IL these changes in
our internal revenue laws are made, Z Will
reduce Internal taxes $31 500, 900. This re-
duction OF taxes will be accompanied by a.
reduction of our expenditures of not less
than $25, ,OO0, 900; and If the new regulation
as to the whisky tax should prove practicable,
there will be much greater reduction. This
will leave q net loss Of revenue Of See, ,OOQ.-
600, and with q margin of $21, ,0O0. 900 for a
reduction of the tariff duties. Upon what
articles and upon what principle shall this
reduction be made? The Senator opposes
a reduction of duty on coal, saying that such
d reduction would not inure to the beneft of
our consumers, but enrich the Nova Scotia
land owners and speculat0rs, at the expense
OF our owners and miners lie also ofpTp,6ses
the reduction of duty onl salt, for the reason
thatlIio one would be benefited, and the In
dnstry would be crippled by such reduction
The reduction on. tea. and coffee is OPPOSED
on the ground that the loss Of revenue from
this source would render any other reduction
impossible. He favored general reduction
OF ten per Cent. on most Of the textile and
metallic fabrics, estimated lat 4 $22,600, 900.
The Senator closed with a general, discussion
of the, question Of protection, vs., free trade