Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-08
TARIFF REFORM,

OF the urgency Of the need of revising the
tariff there is no question. 1t is conceded hy
even the strongest supporters OF the present
system. The only question is as 10 how idi
cal the changes should be, and, as far as the
present Congress is concerned whether its
brief tenure of life will allow it 10 fully aud
satisfactorily answer the public demand. On
this latter point there is considerable doubt
but with the report OF the Tariff Commission
10 guide its deliberations Congress ought to
do at least someihng-to make beginning,
if nothing more ON this important work.
The report alluded to is an Unexpectedly
satisfactory document, and, as far as can be
Judged from the somewhat meagrc abstract
of it which has been given to the press, its
recommendations will commend themselves
to the public The commission very s,nsibly
recognize the fact that high duties have a
tendency TO create prejudice, to encourage
unsafe invt stmcnts of capital, TO cause Il
plethora OF certain commodities; that the
time has come when a reduction from high
war rates can safely be made, and That the
increase in the productions by the older in
dus,ries is sufficient to admit of a reduction
without impairment Of ability to compete.
Starting from this postulatc, they 50 on to
recommend reductions of The larlll
averaging somewhere between twenty and
twenty five per ccnt-the reductions not
being made by fixed ratio, but with
careful discrimination, the EFFORT being, The
commission say, To make the reduction apply
to commodities of ncct ssliy general con
sumption, unl To diminish or withhold the
reduction upon commodities of high cost, re-
uui, ing more labor, ami which, being con
sumcd principally by the more wealthy class,
could bear higher duties, at the same time
supplying revenue, and encouraging the high
q arts without being oppressive in their
opcrntion. The commission have also sought
invariably 10 make II discrimination be-
tween the late of duties imposed upon
manufactured product, and upon the raw
material or partially manufactured pro
duct of which 1t is made, the object being
TO impose higher duty upon the latter
As to specific changes, the reduced tariff
fixes the dnties on steel rails ut Sl1.02 per
ton, or eighty cents per 100pounds as nsiins'
the present rntc of S2S per ton. All ct or
horizons of the IRON scheme are consistent with
this There is an entirely new schedule of
chemicals based upon scientific methods, and
a schedule upon metals arranged upon new
plan. The reduction in wool IS said in the
report to be of such a character as will COM
mend itself to the public, the greatest rcduc-
ion being upon the article of blankets, upon
which the tariff was particularly excessive. No
duty is reco mmcnded on quininc, and
the duty on wood pulp is abolished, al
though that on wood and lumber is retained
The commission recommend an enlargement
of the free list, though they say that the list
has already been enlarged by previous leg
isa,ion to such an extent as to embrace
nearly one-thrd in value of merchandise i'm
ported in 1881 50 that lit c room is left
fer reform in this direction.
Another feature Of the report may be al
luded to in passing, though 1t is no: an essen
tial part of it, and that is the proposal for
the establishment of a Customs Court, be-
fore which disputes involving the nature or
value of dutablc goods shall he tried. llith-
crto appeals from the collector have been
carried to the Secretary of the Treasury and
in the department his opinion has been final.
Obviously, petty details, which involve a
minute and extensive knowledge of tie
technicalitcs of trade have no business lc-
fore Cabinet officer, who cannot in the ma
ture of things, give an invariably accurate
and just opinion. Cases of this character are
so frequent rs seriously to cmbarrass the
Department, and the scheme of court of
experts would obviously relieve this cmb0r-
rassmcnt and in many ways secure II more
satisfactory administration of the customs
avs.
On the whole the general character of the
report is cmincn,ly satisfactory. and If its de-
tails prove of the same character ii will am
ply vindicate the creation of the commission
in which Senator Morrill, and o,hc. scadfast
friends Of the protective system took SO nc
tive part. And with the result of the care
full and thorough investigations before them
for their guidance and instruction the mem |
bcrs of Congress should be able to perfect
scheme of legislation that will be everything |
that could be desired. Indeed i, is urged in |
some quarters that Congress pass the bill just |
as the commission reported it, and if any de-
lecls were subsequently, found in it, correct |
them by supplementary legislation. But
he least it can do is, us President Arthur
said, 10 So revise the tariff system us 10
,qhaize the public burdens among all classes
md occupations, and bring it in closer har-
nony with the present need. Of industry.