Year: 1859




pleasant rumors of disposition on the part
of the chairman Of Ways and Means in the
House of Representatives, to concur in some
sort of an arrangement for the increase of
the tariff If our information were not 50
authentic, we would utterly refuse to credit
any such story of gentleman in whom we
repose the implicit confidence heretofore ac-
corded to Mr.. Phelps constancy. Since,
however, our own positive advices are cor
roborated by the general testimony, we have
no choice but to accept the fact of his defec-
tion to the Protectonists.


What the consequences of this sudden
and surprising surrender may be is more
than we can pretend to foresee; but we
would fain hope it will not be of any serious
damage to the interests of free trade. Yet,
if the existing arrangement be once disturb
ed, we will not answer for the ultimate result


1t is of no use to speculate about the mo-
tives which have determined the chairman
of Ways and Means to report plan for the
revision of the tariff. 1t will be more per-
tinent and practical to exhibit the folly and
futility Of the enterprise.


The ostensible aim Of an increase of i'm
posts is to provide for the exigencies Of an
exhausted treasury But these necessities
are instant and urgent, while the possible
income from an addition to the duties cannot
be realized for considerable time. In any
event. then, loan will be indispensable.
Does it not occur to Mr.. Phelps that no
other expedient will be requisite for the
supply Of the deficiency? The present
tariff is by no means so unproductive as the
Protectionists represent. In fact, it yields
an abundant revenue for an economical ad>
ministration. Sixty or seventy millions a
year should be enough to satisfy a Demor
cratic Executive. And this in the dry tree
when the energies of commerce have not
yet rebounded from the paralysis of last
summer. Already business is reviving with
encouraging activity, and accordingly the
receipts into the treasury are fast approach
ing an equality with the expenditures. In
ali probability, the present rates of impost
will soon suffice for the utmost necessities of
government.


We are not informed of the details of Mr..
tPhelps's arrangement; but if he merely
proposes reduction of the free>list, We
have nothing to say against the suggestion
Tea and coffee should by all means be made
to bear their proportion of the public burden.
They are exempted from taxation on nc
principle of philosophy and with no view tc
the general interests. They are spared on
the preten, ,e that they are necessaries; where
as it is precisely the necessaries of life that
are properly liable to exaction, since they
are Of universal consumption, and the bur-
den they bear will be distributed among all
classes of the community Besides, they are
not of domestic production, and every cent
they Weld will be returned to the treasury
If it be the purpose of Mr.. Phelps to pro
pose tax on these articles, We must applaud
the particular recommendation, even while
= we deprecate any modification of the existing
arrangement.


The danger is lest, when once a revision
of the tariff is undertaken, the Protectionist
may form combination sufficiently stron!
to determine the new revenue system il
their own interests. 1t is the impression 0
4 the best informed persons in Washington
that il the tariff be touched in single par
f ticular, it will be substituted by scheme
the most iniquitous and oppressive ever en-
{ acted Hence the extreme aversion of al
| free trade Democrats to any innovation.
3 We cannot but regret that so little con
sideration is accorded by Democratic Repre-
! sentatives to the principles propounded IL
Mr.. Cobb's admirable report. If the chair
man of Ways and Means will be guided b,
S the philosophy of that paper, he can be il
no danger of falling into the Federal polio!
F.! of specific and restrictive imposts Fo
e ourselves, we tender the Secretary of tn
! Treasury an assurance of our appreciation o
the frmuess with which he maintains th
e faith of States Rights Democracy agains
+: Influences of no common potency. Calhoun


himself could not have expounded the phi
9 lOsophy of free trade with superior ability
nor have defended it with more consPicuou
}. IiutreVidity. In times past Mr.. Cobb wa
s thought to have exhibited some indifference


to the interests Of the South but the atone
Q ment he now offers will more than restor


his original popularity. We hear of move
:, ment among the protectioniSts to comp'
a him either to acquiesee in the suggestion
n of the President, OF else to abandon h


place in the Cabinet. We.have no fear th'
\ be will be unequal to such an emergenc.
d The nerve of which he has already give


satisfactory proof, will not fall him in a


alternative Involving loss of Office or b.
l. trayal Of principle.


9. It is certainly a surprising commentar
d on the sincerity of Democratic profession
e. that they have no other remedy to sugge'
n, for a deficient treasury than an increase
70 taxation. If we are really so concerned t'
m an economical administration and so aver
at to imposing burdens on the people as
OF pretend, why did it not occur to our state
l. men to propose reduction of the expenc
h lures to level with the income of the 60
A. ernmsntY 1t is false and idle plea
Is urge that there are no abuses to redress al
re no extravagances to curtail. Advert to &
IN enormous appropriations demanded by t
Oh War Department, and the scarcely less one
lis Gus exactions for the support of the Nav
ak accept the admissions BY inc Postmnst
SO General of grievous abuse II that branch
II the public service, contemplate, in sho
ne the waste and extravagance in every cham