The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-06
Tariff Commission.


The Senate has passed the bill for the ere
alton of commission to revise the tariff
laws by vote of 80 to 15-twelve of the
affirmative votes being Democrats. The
commission is to consist of nine members,
to be appointed by the President and Sem
ate, and to report not later than the first
Monday in January next. either,a judicious
tariff bill or revision of the existing tariff
upon basis of justice suited to all inter-
ests. The bill is now being discussed IN the
House, the representative Democrats OPP
posing and the Republicans susta ing it.
This bill constitutes the most rational
method of adjusting the inequalities of the
tariff laws, and reducing them down to
uniformity and practical justice. The tariff
laws have been passed at different times,
some before the war, others during the war,
and still others Immediately after the war,
in obedience to the demands OF the treasury
for revenues. The great cost OF the war
and the immense indebte dness resulting
therefrom, required tariff duties common
surate with the burdens of government,
while the condition of our manufactures
were such as to demand policy that would
encourage and build them up. The laws
passed to meet these requirements were de-
vised not as system, but as emergencies
arose, and consequently the whole arrange
ment partakes OF patchwork, evidence of
want of harmony and that uniformity
which operates even justice in the enforce
ment of the laws. 1t was recognized that
it would be next to impossible for Congress,
with so many conflicting views to reconcile
and with such varied interests represented,
to agree upon just and acceptable modi-
fication of the tariff legislation. and hence,
several sessions ago Senator Eaton, of Con-
necticut. introduced bill to create tariff
commission to be composed of select men,
with reference to their knowledge and ex-
perience in the operations of the tariff,
whose duty it should be to revise the laws,
equalize the duties, and give the result of
their labor in a practical, uniform system.
The bill passed by the Senate embrace s
this idea, and when it has received the
sanction of the House, we have no doubt
the whole system will be methodized and
the general interest promoted.
The debate in the House will be pro-
tracted, but it will only be to give members
an opportunity to furnish campaign thun-
der in their various districts for next falls
election. The passage of the bill will be a
final disposition for long time to come OF
the Democratic fallacy of tariff for reve-
nue. only" or free trade, and will assure a
system that will opearte to furnish revenues
to meet the demands of government, as
well as to stimulate and encourage the manu-
featuring industries of the country. The
effect will be to deprive the Democratic
party of the only issue it had, for the cam
paign of 1884, for the relegation OF the
whole subject to the commission, will re- |
move it, as paramount question, from the |
and esidential elections
With this measure law, it is difficult to
predict upon what the Democracy will 60 |
into the campaign of 1854, for upon all 9th
affecting governmental policy. |
there isnot room to question the correctness
Of the policy of the Republicans in the light
Of the prosperity which now attends the
country and the ach Movements which have
been accomplished through Republican
craftsmanship.