New-York tribune., 1878-02-16
CRI7ICISTNG TIE PROPOSED Tariff.

A MEMORIAL TO TIE COMMITTEE on WAYS AND
MEANS FROM PROMINENT MERCHANTS AND
OTHERS.
A memorial has been prepared for submis-
sion to the Committee Ways ard Means Of the House
Of REPRESENTATIVES, protesting against many changes
proposed the tarn bin. The memorial Is signed
by Howard Potter j. NJ. Constable, Mnon Marble, H.
Il. Mintum c. II. Marshall. Gustav schwab Perry Bel
monI, u. c. Robbins aud Mahlon Sands.
The subscriers declare that while they recognize tie
Jealous efforts being made in the interest OF tam re-
form, they regret TO hnd some imprachcabe changes
which, their opinion. if adopted, will lead to greater
complications, and in many instances to stu greater
of the commercial ana industrial Interests Oi
Lac country than now exist under inc present tdlh
They object first taxing articles on the free list
Tbe amount of pOTtatOis OF these arilcies last year
i7 6OS SOD the revenue 10 De derived IhceiIo" u.
the rates of the proposed duties would amount 10
S61Js.9lO O2. This tax, u is Clained' III country
where manufacturing interests are as extensive as w the
United states, mlcts direct blow upon them.
While the aggregate amount OF raw itTlals now
free that the OIL proposes TO TAX ls over ~ "OVVVv
the manufactured goods produced IRON thc-e raw
materials are estimated 20 amount 10 at least FOO
600 900 annually. The removal Of duty ON raw hides
and SKINS increased the exports ol lhese aruc'e' Aon
"a ,Gl ,SS3 in 1872 10 SJ,3iJ,l6O IN 1876. , =,
The attention oi the committee is also called so thc
statement that many finished pouucis gre lleeu py dc
bin while tho materials from which they arc made are
sill taxed. The memorial then points 0nt III deai
the several changes in INC respective ncnuut'
thc subscribers deem open 10 critcsln Particular hit
is called 70 books which are uniformly cnfgea ~
per cent al valOrcm Ihswhe an appaIt Ut icuue'on III
the existing duty 60 per cci docs aWil snt tno prs
ent limitation or twenty years aicr pubiichuOn:
by virtue which books Of earlier date arc admitted
duty On the one hand, therefore, libraries,
collectors, and special stulents VIII bo severely
taxed while on the ether the Custom House oIhcais,
ca led upon to decide upon the value OF books ahd
pamphlets having often fancy price, VIII not hh heir
work slmphed but pcrplexngy Increased, since they
will get no nelp from tho importer.
abolition OF the present provisions OF tho law Tor
reduction OF duty upon damaged goods s also urged
The memorial closes as follows: In conclusion the IN
dersgned beg respectfully to point out honorable
body that duties Of cents pound ON coffee aud 10
cents on tea womb yicld nearly double thc amount
OF revenue 20 be got By taxing the oaterals now
ON the free list such duties the equitable pOHsl
people would pay the Government would receive More,
over they are easy to collect do not invite 10 fraud and
wond scarcely be felt by the individual paying them.
undersigned would regard the bill amended above
proposed as great step In the direction Of REFORM and
believe would then receive the hearty support oi
omiss. IL would be accepted by manufacturers,
importers traders and consumers as an Immense relief
from the crushing burden Of the present tar aud would
20 farther restore prosperity to The Nation than any
measure now before the country.