The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-01-16
TONNAGE DUTIES.
A Message From the President in
Regard
70 DlncrentIal Tonnage Duties, Accom-
panied by Letter From Secretary
Bayard-An Equalization Of
Duties Reco m mcnded.
sEcnrrAnY nArARplp VIEWS.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5---The President yes
terday sent to Congress u message, without
Recommendation, but accompanied by let
tor from Secretary Bayard and large batch
Of correspondence in regard TO differential
tonnage duties, Secretary Bayard reviews
at great length the history Of legislation af-
fecting tonnage dies; gives the correspond
encs that has passed between the United
States and foreign countries in regard to it,
and recurs to the fact that the claim Of Swe-
den and Norway for refund Of duties is
based upon clause In a treaty between that
country and the United States, which pro-
vides that neither country shall pay In the
ports OF the other higher rate OF bnnage
duty than the vessels aof that coun-
try In 1897 the secretary recites that
Sweden and Norway had two rates Of duty,
as the United States nov has under the
Dingley bill Mr.. Clay, Is Secretary of
State insisted that United States vessels
should be allowed to come in at the lower
rate OF duty. After much correspondence
on the subject. tho government OF Sweden
and Norway acceded TO the request OF Mr..
Clay-re 'unded all dues collected in excess
of the lower rate After the passage Of the
Dingley bill establishing two rates OF ton
mage dues, viz: Three cents per ton on
each vessel entering the ports OF the United
States, not to exceed fifteen cents per an
mum for each vessel entering from Canada,
West Indies and South American countries
and double this amount for vessels from
other foreign countries, Sweden and Nor
way made application to have their vessels
admitted at the lower rate OF duty and for
refund of all tonnage dues collected In ex-
cess OF the lower rate,
Mr.. Bayard recommended this, but the
commissioner Of navigation held, TO whom
the Secretary Of the Treasury referred the
recommendation Of Mr.. Bayard for report,
that the commissioner OF navigation was by
law created sole and final judge ION all
questions relating TO the collection OF ton
mage tax and to the refunding Of such tax
when collccted.n Commenting on this au-
thority OF the commissioner Of navigation
Secretary Bayard suggests that the law
should be amended n that the Secretary OF
State should have ''voice in the decision
OF treaty and cognate international que5-
tions.r The Secretary points out that Ger
many and the Netherlands have abolishAl
tonnage dues 10 American vessels and have
made demands for refund OF dues. Other
obstacles are pointed out such as when a
vessel comes from one country and stops en-
route TO tn United States and the tonnage
rates of these countries are dissimilar
which rate, the higher or lower, should be
charged.
In conclusion Secretary Bayard says: in
regard TO questions raised by the claims Of
various governments under their treaties
with the United States for the three and
fifteen cents rate Of tonnage duty, the under
signed bogs TO suggest that the present corr
dltion OF matters would he greatly simpli-
fed. II not by the abolition, at least by the
equalization OF tonnage duties on the basis
OF uniform charges OF three and fifteen
cents; and this without reference TO any
question Of treaty construction In respect
TO which specific recommendation
for reasons stated has already been made.
Such an equalization OF duties would OK.
tend the same relief 10 commerce with all
parts Of the world as has already, by the
acts OF 1884 and 1885, been offered 10 CON-
mercial intercourse within certain geOgraph.
ical areas. This change In the law having
been effected, the invitation for reciprocal
abolition Ct dues would still remain as an
offer OF yet more liberal treatment on the
most advantageous basis Of this country
In this way the interests Of our commerce
would be subserved aud the Government
would enjoy the additional advantage Of
having so adjusted It's laws as to be free
from future demands ba ed upon It's con
ventioual agreements, and from the neces
sity OF claiming for them less liberal con
struction than the other high contracting
parties are willing 70 admit"