th their values and the percentage they bear to the total importation:

Articles. Value. Percentage.

Sugar and molasses $76,738,713 13.29
Coffee 46,723,318 8.09
Wool and its manufactures 44,656,482 7.73
Silk and its manufactures 40,393,002 6.99
Chemicals, dyes, drugs, and medicines 35,070,816 6.07
Iron and steel and their manufactures 34,563,689 5.98
Flax, hemp, jute, and their manufactures 32,854,874 5.69
Cotton and its manufactures 28,152,001 4.88
Hides and skins other than fur skins 20,586,443 3.56

Of the entire amount of duties collected 70 per cent was collected from
the following articles of import:

Percentage.
Sugar and molasses 29
Wool and its manufactures 15
Silk and its manufactures 8
Iron and steel and their manufactures 7
Cotton manufactures 6
Flax, hemp, and jute, and their manufactures 5

The fact that our revenues are in excess of the actual needs of an
economical administration of the Government justifies a reduction in the
amount exacted from the people for its support. Our Government is but
the means established by the will of a free people by which certain
principles are applied which they have adopted for their benefit and
protection; and it is never better administered and its true spirit is
never better observed than when the people's taxation for its support is
scrupulously limited to the actual necessity of expenditure and
distributed according to a just and equitable plan.

The proposition with which we have to deal is the reduction of the
revenue received by the Government, and indirectly paid by the people,
from customs duties. The question of free trade is not involved, nor is
there now any occasion for the general discussion of the wisdom or
expediency of a protective system.

Justice and fairness dictate that in any modification of our present
laws relating to revenue the industries and interests which have
been encouraged by such laws