SYMPATHIES OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD NOT TO BE REPELLED.
SPEECH IN THE SENATE, AGAINST INCREASE OF TEN PER CENT ON ALL FOREIGN DUTIES, JULY 29, 1861.
In the consideration of the Tariff Bill at this session, Mr. Sumner differed from friends on some of the points involved. One of these differences occurred on his motion, July 29, 1861, to strike out the following clause:--
“That, in addition to the duties now imposed by law on goods, wares, and merchandise not enumerated in the foregoing section, and on all goods not herein otherwise provided for, hereafter imported from foreign countries, there shall be levied, collected, and paid _a duty of ten per centum ad valorem, to include all merchandise subject to or exempt from duty by former laws_.”
MR. PRESIDENT,--I think we had better take a vote on the simple proposition, because in that way we shall arrive at the precise wishes of the Senate. I therefore move to strike out the words just read; and if I can have the attention of the Senate for two minutes, I think I can explain why they should be stricken out.
It will be remembered that in the latter days of the last session a new tariff was adopted; but, owing to the disturbed state of the country, and the impediments to commerce, it is not too much to say that we have no present experience of its operation. We do not know to what extent it will supply revenue. While thus ignorant of its operation, it is proposed to make an important change, being nothing less than to pile another story upon what is already criticised as too high. In addition to all existing duties, we are asked to impose a further duty of ten per cent. In the present exigencies of the country, if there were reasonable assurance that out of such extraordinary tax the revenue would be advanced, I should have nothing to say against it,--on the contrary, I should hold up both hands for it; but, so far as I am informed,--and I have taken pains to inform myself,--there is no reasonable ground to believe that the addition of ten per cent extra upon present duties would yield any additional revenue.
MR. POLK. If the Senator will allow me to interrupt him----
MR. POLK. I will ask if the result of his investigations is not that the addition of ten per cent would actually decrease the revenue?