Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-02-16
A Tariff Commission.

The Kasson Tariff Commission bill,
which has been reported to the House
by the Ways and Means Committee,
differs from the Morrill, bill, now under
consideration in the Senate, in that il
restricts the inquiry To the tariff and
leaves TO the House of Representatives
whatever modification Of the internal
revenue laws may be considered cxredi.
ent or necessary.
Mr.. Randall has given notice that at
the proper time lie will move an amend
ment providing that the commission
shall consist Of two members OF the
Senate. three members of the House
and four civilitn experts. This ptovi.
-ion was only defeated IN the committee
by one vote. II is not probable that
the Senate will conser', in any event.
even II II should pass the Morrill, bill. to
strike out the provision requiring the
commission tn report upon the reduc.
iion Of intrrnal revenue. as the que-.
tions are so intimately connected that
thew must he considered together.
The commission scheme excitPs oppo.
sition among free trade or revenue
tariff advocates as well as among the
mon who believe that the inequalities Of
the existing tariff should he removed
while many prntectinui.ts believe that
it Il not arranged upon = protective. hut
upon pt"hibitiye basis. All these
classes believe that commission hill is
simJly \ scheme Of DELAY. They are
convinced that the question m1y be
dealt with l'y existing e. mmittces quite
as inteliigihly and much NOR rxpedi.
tously thsn bv q commission. Aud the
probability - that the House will refuse
lu delegate tts authority 10 this matter
or to risk the DELAY whlrh mu,t inevIta
bly result.
Some solid speeches may he expected
on the geaPtzl pursliou ni Ih. tArltF in
the pending di-cussion. in .riie oi nil
the iro'h. Mr.. Kelley Mr.. Mckinley.
Mr. Russell sud Mr. Robeson will uo
doubt speak from the extreme prUtec.
ZIONIST stsndtolut. aud ~av Hll that can
he said. Mr. Randall. Mr.. Kasson and
Mr. Robinson. OF Massachusetts,. being
men of conservative type of mind, will
prob ibly speak from the view of mild
pTotectionist, who concede the necessity
If revision. Mr. Morrison. Mr. Cox, of
New York. Mr.. Carlisle, Mr. Tucker
and other we'll informed Members will
make speeches from the view of tariff
for revenue only.
These sperche. will. no doubt, show a
knowledge of the question IN ali its
hearings, which is not surpassed by the
same number Of men in the country,
whether rallied experts or otherwise.
These men are the leaders of opinion
in the House on this question. as on
most Others. The report Of 3 commits.
: on must come under review by them
and their colleagues, and there is no
reason to expect that they themselves
cannot reach : common ground without
the iptervent tion Of outside influence as
we'll ~ with II. The House il peculiar.
~ jealous of its functions and quickly
resents whatever has the appearance of
dictation. No reason, therefore. exists
Why the House should not take up the
tariff and the internal revenue systems,
consider them at once, and proceed 10
lop of any abuses which adhere 10 eth.
sr or both. The sentiment Of the coun-
try IL ready for tariff discussion and re-
vision II Is not ready 10 have the ques.
ton shelved when IL will meet nothing
bat delay.