Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-07-03
TARIFF LEGISLATION.


The Philadelphia Record, in abiding
to this peculiar Pennsylvania and New
England theory Of raising Government
revenues says;
Senator Wallace intends introduce
ing o resolution in the Senate provid-
ing for the creation Of u commission to
take up the work of tariff legislation
80 suddenly terminated by the failure
of the measure reported by the Com.
mittee of Ways and Means. The com
mittec is TO consist of one member of
the Senate, to be appointed by the
President of the Senate; one member
of the House of Representatives, to be
appointed by the Speaker thereof, and
three citizens Of the United States not
now holding any Office under the Gov
eminent, one OF whom shall be a prac-
tical farmer, one n pratical manufac-
turer and one an experienced mer-
chant, to be appointed by the President
OF the United States. Its duty will be
to inquire into the operation Of the ex-
isting tariff and Internal revenue laws,
and ascertain what changes, II any,
should be made IN them for the promo
ton of industry and the benefit of the
public revenue. II will have power
to sit in open session at the seat OF
Government and elsewhere, TO employ
clerks, to subpoena witnesses and ex-
anime them under oath, and will be
required to hear the complaints and
Suggestions Of citizens of the United
States engaged in agriculture, manu-
features or commerce. The commits
sion is to report, If possible, to the next
session of Congress such legislation as
IL may deem necessary in the light of
the sworn testimony and other infor-
nation obtained. Fifteen thousand
dollars are to be appropriated TO defray
the expenses of this inquiry. This
resolution OF Senator Wallace ii is TO
be hoped will receive the sanction Of
Congress. 1t is not probable that any
commission selected would be able to
agree upon q measure of tariff reform
that would ccu an unquestioned as
sent. Tariff Legislation will eventually
DO controlled by one everything con.
~sideration, TO wit to obtain the larg-
est revenue from the least taxation,
In the struggle over the details the
future adjustment will certainly be
made rather in the interest Of the mas
than in the interest of q section. The
Record has not been able TO agree with
those rampant protectionists in Penn
~sylvania who make indiscriminate wal
upon all persons who desire TO recon
slider the present tariff laws. There IL
not the least doubt that the present
system exacts two dollars in taxation
for every dollar II yields in revenue
and it is just as little doubtful that I
wise policy, taxing with just consider
alton the interests Of every part Of th,
country, dictates an immediate change
The commission II is proposed TO au
thorixe can do much to gather and
formulate necessary information pre-
paratory to intelligent action. II is 1
pleasure 10 have a representative o
Pennsylvania take the lead in q move
ment Of recognized necessity. TIL,
pleasure will be redoubled II Pennsyl
vania keeps the lead in the matter o
such vital Importance to hcr people
and does not throw away her influenc'
In the Quixotic championship of sys
tenn instead Of q vigorous defence O
her own special interests"