Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-11
A business PronosItion.


Mr.. Beck has concluded to take the
tariff bull by the horns. The Republi-
can Senators have resolved to add GER
tain amendments to the House internal
revenue reduction bill, which, so far as
thew 90, if adopted, will be quite con-
eession. Disguise it as the protection
ORGANS may, the question of Federal
taxation will play leading part in the
next Presidential campaign. 1t has
o1rpadv been made an issue in Maine,
and everywhere the masses are taking
decor interest in the subject. Even the
Tariff Commission promise to attempt to
formulate something practical IN the
premises.
Mr. Beck. however, gives notice Of
amendments to the internal revenue re
duction bill, which, if adopted, will be
a long step toward the desired end. he
proposes that duties on imports shall be
reduced ten per cent. all around after
January l next, and further reduced ten
per cent. after January l, 1884. rms
ooes 10 the root of the matter. but
this is unwise, unphilosophical, and
therefore undesirable, " say the protection
ORGANS Why? The tariff was increased
in precisely the same way, and why can
# not be likewise reduced? tits demon
s,rable that reduction of ten per cent.
next year and ten per cent the succeed
ing year in the duties on imports would
not cripple the government.
Mr.. Beck's plan may not be philo'
sophical, but it is eminently practical.
If adopted and tried, it would speedily
solve the problem of fair trade or mo-
nopoly. For if, as the probabilities are,
the government could discharge all its
obligations in the face of the proposed
reductions, the inquiry would then arise,
why not reduce further? 1t is probable,
though. that Mr.. Beck's proposed reduc-
tions would give us practically tariff
for revenue. and no further reductions
would be justified. The government
would not suffer by the adoption of Mr.
Beck's plan, but the mOnopOlists, like
the manufacturers of Bessemer steel, Mr.
John Roach and his colleagues in ship
building, the spool thread coterie, and
others that now reap enormous profits
by shutting out competition, would be
compelled to let others live and profit
Mr.. Beck's amendments are clear.
practical business propositions. The
Tariff Commissions report must be
drafted and presented before it can be
Judged of. Mr.. Beck proposes definite
change, the effects of which are readily
calculated. The protectiOnists are dis
posed to retain the bulk of the internal
revenue. Yet taxation should be reduced
appreciablY, and since internal taxes are
to be retained, the only remedy left and
the better one at that's to reduce i'm
port duties. Mr.. Beck proposes that ten
per cent. of the manufacturers profits
shall be left with the people next year,
and further ten per cent. the year after,
when our 'fnfant" industries should
strike out for themselves. This is bust
ness, but, as the Philadelphia Telegraph,
protectionist organ, admits, "Our
tariff is political, and not business
arrangement" and we are not likely TO
have change till the people insist upon
it. Mr.. Becks amendments will hardly
prevail, but they will serve to again
show the burden carriers who keep the
load on their shoulders.