The Portland daily press., 1867-01-17
The Senate Tariff Bill.


p The tariff bill reported by the Finance Com
mittee to the Senate, though based upon Mr..
Wells's BILL involves several important
changes. The duties on Brandy and other
Alcoholic Liquors are unaltered, but in
Woods and Woolens the rates of the House
bill, passed at the last session, are generally
adopted. On Woods OF the first class, import
ed unwashed, and valued at "a cents or less
per pound, for instance, the duty is now six
cents, rate Mr.. Wells's bill would retain,
while the Committee fix the duty at 10 cents,
and 10 per cent ad udlorem. So upon Sheep
skins and Angora Goatskins, which in the
present Tariff and the bill of Mr.. Wells are
taxed 20 per cent, the new bill imposes 80 per
cent. This difference rules in all the grades of
Raw Wool. In Manufactured Woolen Goods,
Broadcloths, Cassmeres, &C., on which Mr..
Wells proposes duty of q. cents per lib. and4O
per cent. ad calore,a, the new bill imposes 45
cents and 35 per cent. ad ualorem. A proper
tionate increase is made in Blankets and farms,
for which Mr., Wells proposes duty of 10 cents
per pound, and the Committee 20, for quail
Ties of less value than 40 cents per pound. In
other qualities the same rates are fixed goods
valued above so cents paying duty OF go cents,
with 80 per cent ad ealorem. Woolen Hos
iery is taxed 40 cents instead of 20, and Hats
and Caps at so instead Of 25. In Weddings,
Fringes, etc, a proportionate increase is re-
ported by the Committee. They also increase
the duty upon Silk Goods generally. Cotton
manufacturers are well protected by the new
bill. rai-
The. ella sifcations Of the House bill upon
Iron are retained, with slight increase of the
rates. The Committee make no changes in
the duties proposed by Commissioner Wells
upon Coal, and leave the free list with very
little change. An important addition to the
Wells bill is the section of the House bill
which allows drawback on the imported ma
terials used in the manufacture of farming
machines and other tools. ~.
A new section provides that on and after
the first day of April, 1867, there shall be al
lowed and paid, drawback equal in amount
to the import duty paid on all Iron, Copper,
and Corlage which shall be wrought up in the
construction of sailing vessels of the United
States, or used in repairing vessels of foreign
build, documented in conformity with the pro-
visions of the act or December %, 1852, less
five per centum on the amount Of such draw
back which shall be retained for the use ofthe
United States under such regulations as the
Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe; pro-
vided the word Iron as herein used shall not
be construed to include any manufactured ar
ticle ofiron. This is part of the relief asked
by Mr.. Lynch. If it is all that is to be grant.
ed it is inadequate. Mr.. Lynch asks for a
drawback of"all duties and taxes upon all ar
ticles used in the construction of steam and
sailing vessels" Perhaps the better way to
reach the matter would be by special act
but at any rate nothing less than complete
exemption of the materials used in our ship
| yards from every form of taxation can enable
us to compete with foreign builders. Half way
measures will not help us. -..t