, 1875-01-22

PAD5AGE OF THE LITTLE TARIFF BILL.
A year ago, untlor the pretenso Of correct
ing tie lnnguageof tho Tariff law md render
ing it clear, there WIS bill concocted by
ring III Washington called tue Little Thrift
BILL" THIS bill embraces nbout forty items.
It WINS passed by the House, amended by the
Senate, aud has since been migrating from
ono House to the other upon disagroc-
ing votes. It was, tho other day, reported
from Conference Committee and passed in
tho Senate, and yesterday it passed. the
House. 1t now goes to tho President for his
approval. Tho bill is fraud hut that fect
unfortunately has not intcrfere1 with its
passage. In evory item of tho bill the ox-
istiug tax is increased, and increased
for some special interest, frequently for tho
benefit Of q single firm or maker Of a particu-
lar article. 1t is q contomptiblo robbery Of
tho public. Eyory picayuno manufacturer
who thinks no could mako moro money if
Congress would SO legislato Us to prohibit
competition, rushes down to Washington aud
asks to have an increase Of the tux on mouse.
traps, umbrella-stlcks, clay pipes, md other
articles; md forthwith the Committee on
Ways and Means Of the Congress Of tho
United States reports a bill adding 10,
20, or 80 per cent to tho tux OIL each
Of these articles. This eternal patching Of
tho Tariff lawis not in thointorcst Of rovenuo;
on the contrary, 1t IL to cut of revenue, by
giving tho manufacturer q monopoly, and
forcing the public to pay him q special
bounty.
14f1f RI 714 $+yF Ind In
| lclphin member presented q demand TINT
Congress shall Increase tho duty on silk unl.
brellas from co per cent to 90 per cont in
gold. This iH to cnablo somebody in Phila-
dclphia who makes silk umbrellas to charge
90 per cont moro for lis goods than tho pur-
CHASER could got them for In the absence Of
| this 1nonstrous Tux. Tho "Ittte Tariff bill"
among other rascally things, proposes to i'll
crease tho duty OH tho light still wines Of Eu-
rope to 40 cents Il gallon, or to tho sum Of
100 per cent! The present ta1 Oh that elias
Of wines, costing 10 cents gallon and less,
il a5 coats per gallon, or G3 per cent. This
bill makes that tax 100 per cent In gold,
which, with tho premiums On gold, tho
freight, tho profits Of importers on tho tax,
aud other iucidonces. will make this tax equal
to l40 to LEO per cent in currency.
This proposition is in itself most scandal
GUS Tho country contains largo popula
ton Of Gcrmasls French, Italians, and othel
Europeans, and of Americans too, who ls<
these light Wines as beverage in place Of tht
moro alcoholic and Intoxicating liquils Tlst
lnisfortuno Of tho dny Is. that these llgl.
wines nse not in general uso instead of wills
| Ky. They aro healthy; their ,lse il eonduciv.
to temperance and sobristy. They aro, a:
compared with the spirisuous beverages con
su,ned by the country, as harmless NJ tea o
coiloe. In oil those countries where thcs'
wines are 1,scd exclusively, sobriety is tA'
r,llo, and drunkenness thu raro exception
!. the habituol consumers Of these wines knoy
. nothing ot the delirium, the madness
. tho wreck OF body aud mind, com
mon to those who drink the whisk
/ aud brandy and other fiery and po!sonou
stuf dealt out to tie American people. Thi
proposed increase Of tux OIL light wines Is nc
= in tho interest Of temperance, dooeuoy, Q
J. public revenue. It IL intended to prollbI
. tho importation Of these cheap, harmloa
:. light vines It Ia bill to incseaso the sal
= Ut wllsAy, 1t fssa oil, aud Of poLan. IL