The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-17
The Senate Tariff Bill.


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Erom Os Tribune.
In the House OF Representatives at the last
session, the Tariff bill, as originally reported,
raised the rates of duty about 25 per centum.
This was great gain for our industry, but the
sober calculations OF the Committee on Ways
and Means were swept away in the confusion of
debate, and the bill, as passed and sent to the
Senate. was materially changed. Still it was an
improvement upon the existing tariff, and we
should have been satisfied had the Senate
adopted it, But the history of protection in
the last session Is one of dispute and and disap-
pointment. The Senate postponed its consde-
ration and this year the Finance Committee
have offered a substitute for the House bill,
elaborate and thorough which still further
lowers the average duty upon our imports. Ot
the points of difference the following are the
more Important
The House bill imposed a duty of so cents
on woolen cloths, which the Senate bill would
reduce to As, though 1t properly retains tue
duty upon the staple or 10 cents per pound,
and 10 cents ad valorem. Cloth importers will
demand a still further reduction, and we fear,
may get it. On carpets the Senate bill strikes
out the ad valorem rate, and re-enacts the
specific duty OF the present tarif-a decided
reduction from the House bill On cigars,
which the House would rate att $3.50 per
pound, the Senate bill places duty OF but So,
retaining, however, so per cent ad valOrem
The duty on flax in the House bill IL $40 per
ton in the Senate bill it is but SIS. A duty of
8 cents per square yard, and 30 per cent. ad
Valorem is proposed on linens, while the House
bill fixed the rate at6 cents. The duties on teas
and coffee are doubled by the Senate bill, one
of the few instances of an increased rate. The
20 per cent. ad valorem upon books is reduced
20 l5.
The Senate bill, however, is much better than
The present tariff, and than that proposed by
Commissioner Wells Cotton manufactures are
well protected the rates of the House bill on
steel. iron, dress-goods, and worsteds are re.
taiped, and, we regret to add. those on coal.
We should not complain ii the bill, as it stands,
were adopted by the Senate; for it is not likely
TO be improved by amendments. Yet the fact
that the present tariff does not prevent our peo-
pie from expendng about $500, 100000 per
annum for imports ought TO convince Congress
that an increase of at least 25 per cent. on the
existing rates Is demanded by our industrial
interests.
We must protect our manufactures thoroughly
If we would elevate our standard of labor.
Unsklled labor, employed in the ruder tolls
does not obtain half the wages paid to manuiac.
turing workmen, and the real labor-power of
the country cannot be utilized without tariff
that shall necessitate its development, To reap
tho value of our strength, we must use it, and
not depend upon the manufactures of other
nations. II here is our granary, our market,
here must be our workshop. So long as foreign
nations, by the help OF free trade, are able to
keep down the prceiof American manufactures,
the wages OF the laborer are kept down, and it
is time that every workman in the land should
know that the enemies of protection are the
instruments of European monopolies, and that
it is they who would give England, France, and
Belcium unrestrained permission to undersell
us in our own markets.