On the record
With him a custom-house seems less a place for the collection of revenue than an engine of political influence, through which his dictatorship may be maintained.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner criticizes the use of custom-houses for political manipulation.
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Their existence is a disgrace to civilization; for it implies the common consent of nations to the Arbitrament of War, as regulated by these laws.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.
I am in favor of a tariff for revenue, such a one as will yield a sufficient amount to the treasury to defray the expenses of the government, economically administered.
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