Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-04
The Tariff.

We received from Washington by telegraph
aud published few days since synopsis of the
new Tariff Bill proposed to the House of Repre-
sentatives by the Committee OF Ways and Means,
read twice and ordered To be printed. In COM
mon with others of our fellow citizens we have
waited somewhat anxiously for the text of this
document. and the extraordinary omissions in
the synopsis were attributed 10 telegraphc mutt
lations. We hoped for some explanation of
them when the official report should be received.
We regret TO say that the printed copy of the bill
furnishes no solution of the mystery. The same
significant omissions occur in this as in the synop.
sis: and the reader who is familiar with the sub
ject will find his wonder increasing without any
reaction from the title to the conclusion
liz appears to have been prepared entirely in
the interest of clique of manufacturers and
spectators, and their hand can be traced in il
throughout all its provisions 1t extends the pc
riod during which the extra 80 per cent. imposed
Tor sixty DAYS upon all imports shall be collected
up to the 30th of June: but there it leaves a
large variety of imported products, making no
provision for them except they may fall back
under the old schedules of former tariffs.
We see no alluson to coffee, spices, most var.
cites of fruits, many articles of drugs, salt, and
other merchandise which il was thought would
bear very high tariff. and which will be left on
the LIST OF July if this bill is adopted. to be adj
mitted at a far lower rate than the one now col
lected, as the % per cent. limit then expires
This cannot be accidental. as many other articles
now mace in this country, or held 10y spectators
on this side Of the ocean are taxed enormously
on future importations.
As an illustration of the spirit which has pre-
vailed in the composition of this remarkable
proposition, take the single article of palmeaf
iaus. We select this because there can be no
pretense that either revenue industry Is in any
wav connected with the proposed legislation. and
II is therefore fair criterion by which 10 Judge
of the whole production. The average yearly
sales OF this article prior 10 lcbO, were about
5000 cases OF 500 each, the cost in China being
three quarters of cent to one cent per fan In
addition. there were sold annually from two TO
three hundred cases of the better qualities cost
ing from two to twelve cents eacn. In 1883,
ireghts for bulky articles ruled very low, and
the trade beng stimulated from other causes,
over 80. 600 cases of the fans nearly ten years
supply, were imported and LEFT on the market.
The receipts since have averaged less than 600
per annum, and.as the Southern demand has been
partially cut or large part of this enormous
supply is still undistributed 10 truth. about
$4,000 cases of the importation of 1889 are still
unbroken, and held for consumption by very
few dealers and SPECTATORS in this city and Bos-
ton. Now duty of two cents each i 10 be
leNleC on lTeSu lmpOrtAtiOle. WHICH, Win
elimination against foreign vessels, and gold at
80 per cent premium, will make nice little pro-
lection for the holders equal to four cents for
each fan. We certainly have three years sup
ply on hand, and Congress is called on Tor special
legislation to aid the holders in such petty
speculation.
Our readers may think that this is small
matter in itself, and quite agree with them:
but il is a straw which shows the way the Wind
of favor Is blowing end NAV be taken as an in
dex 10 the whole report. We do not know that
the committee who have prepared this bill are
aware OF the influences under which they have
acted; but il would seem If the minute atten
ton they have given 20 certain details, must
have suggested 10 them the striking omission of
very important general interests. and that this
feature OF the project could not have been acct
dental 1t remains TO be seen how this plan will
be received by the majority of the House when it
shall come 10 for discussion We have had an
intimation that il is to be pushed throug by unu-
sual pressure, and without the usual latitude of
debate: but such q purpose may be easily de-
feated.if the conservative members of the House
will be true to their constituents
The bill provides for a renewal of the struggle
about goods in bond. asst applies the rates
10 imports remaining in warehouse on the first OF
July - Journal of Commsrce