The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-23
REVENUES.

We have now arrived at the period
when the war of the rebellion was ap-
preaching, which was to change the
country's entire financial policy and his
tory. New elements entered into the prob
lem, caused by a startling and unprecedent-
ed increase in governmental necessities;
new features were to be introduced which
were destined to exercise a wonderful and
lasting influence in augmentinS the pros
perity, power and glory Of the Republic.
The extreme free trade" enactment of
1857 had wrought its ruinous work. Not
only was the private business of the couh-
try plunged into the wreck of Il universal
panic, but the revenues of the Nation We're
so injuriously affected that they had been
for three years insufficient to cover the
expenditures, and in that period the pub
lie debt had been more than doubled, to
meet the Deficiencies. The Republicans
came TO the rescue of a Democratic EX-r
ecutiye Administration and succeeded Ill
passing the bill through the House, but
would have failed in the Senate but for
the madness of secession, which drew
away so many Democrats from that
august assemblage.
THE MORRILL, TARIFF.
The bill which has become well known
as the Morrill, tariff and which, with
increments and changes, stood for nearly
30 years, or until the mckinley Bill
was enacted in 1890, Was introduced by
Hon. Justin S. Morrill,, of Vermont, on
the 18th of March, 1850, and passed the
House of Representatives in May OF that
year. In the House the bill was Loyalty
supported by John Sherman, of Ohio, who
stood with Mr.. Morrill,; Thaddeus Stevens,
of Pennsylvania, was also prominent IN
the discussion. The opposition was rep
resented by Barksdale, of Mississippi; Val
landingham, of Ohio; Phelps, of Missouri,
and others. The poverty of the Treasury
and the excessive impOrtations threaten
ing American production were urged on
the one side; while ON the other the ques-
ton of method was raised and in some
cases simple obstruction seemed to be the
object. The principles underlying import
duties We're considered with large breadth
and great vigor.
The Senate refused to act upon the
measure in that session; and at the next
. session. as the Committee on Finance was
so constructed as to fail to represent the
majority of the body, special committee
was appointed with instructions to report
the bill back within a week. Secession
of Rhode Island, brought up the bill, and
advocated its passage in an exhaustive
speech Senator Hunter, of Virginia, led
the opposition. He admitted that add
tional revenue was needed, but he wanted
to raise the lower duties then collected by
n certain percentage and to reduce the
free list. Only after conference between
the two Houses did the bill pass. Mr..
Morrill, estimated that it would produce
S65 $50, 0O0 year; Mr.. Sherman agreed
that in times of prosperity that expecta-
ton would be justified. but for year or
two the receipts could not be so much.
1t actually yielded, in opera ton. $4,000
coo in 1862 and $69. 100000 in 1868.
THE MEASURE AND ITS NOTIFICATIONS.
A general increase was made in rates,
and many duties were changed to specific
sums from rates varying with value.
Iron in bars was changed from "a per
: cent. to S15 ton; window glass from 10
per cent. to charge of from one to five
cents square foot; wooden manufactures
from "a per cent TO - cents pound, and
25 per cent. on value. Cottons We're
changed from 10 per cent. to specific
prices on the square yard with 10 per
cent. added. Copper, which had been free,
was subjected to an imnost of two cents
a pound. On woolens generally with spe-
cific rates an additional charge by value
WAS Uaue 10 compensate 1tE luS uulS
levied on raw wool.
Seven States had proclaimed ordinances
of secession before this act was passed,
and the demands of the National Govern
ment began to increase with a rapidity
calculated TO paralyZe weak minds. The
special session of Congress. which assem-
bled on July 4, 1861, had no more i'm
pOrtant task than to provide money for
the National Treasury. Mr.. Stevens,
from ha Committan on WayS and Means
however, announced that no general re-
vision of the tariff would be undertaken.
By an act which bears date Aug. >, 1861,
the rates We're advanced, and tea and cof-
fee. with some other commodities, were
subjected to duty. The like process of
general increase was carried still farther
by the act of Dec. "a, 1861. The aim was
the same in the statute of July IA, 1862.
BY joint resolution of April %, 1864, all
duties, except upon white paper, were in
creased 80 per cent. for 60 days. On June
80, 1864, a permanent increase was pro-
vided for. Mr.. Morrill,, in explaining the
bill, declared that its primary object was
10 increase the revenue, and at the same
time to shelter and nurse our domestic
products from which at that time we
We're drawing much the largest receipts
into the Treasury. March 3, 1865, an
other bill was passed to adjust the duties
on imports to the internal taxes. which
had been augmented. On July % law
of four pages was found to be necessary
for corrections and adjustments of i'm
posts. March 2, 1867, the imposts on
wool were increased.
DRASTIC INTERNAL REVENUE LAWS.
The heroic struggle to preserve the life
of the Republic caused resort to be had
for third time 10 internal revenue or
'eXcise" taxation. BY the act of July
1852, afterward greatly extended, the
bravest assessments ever made We're put
in operation and almost every mode of
taxation known tc mankind was adopted.
The treatment was indeed heroic
The motto seemed to be wherever you
find an article product, Il trade, pro-
fession. or source of income, tax itr'
The system was so comprehensive and
minute in its details, that the exemption
of any article from taxation was the eX-
cepton rather than the rule. 1t was i'm
posed ut first with so little thought and
discrimination that it was naturally found
unsuitable in many particulars, and was
subject to frequent notifications. At
least enc revenue bill was passed at
every session Of Congress, and within the
period 1SG1-7 more than % such bills be-
came laws. The tendency of such a meas
ure furnished frequent opportunities for
runarnJc nmnu1mapfS Snma nf tboco