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_.”
On this motion he spoke as follows.
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.