The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-02-14
TARIFF DUPLIOITY.

The condition of tariff matters in Con-
gress is just what might have been ex-
pected. The Republican majority made
loud professions favoring such a reduction
of the tariff as would Tighten the burdens of
taxation where they were the most grievous
to be borne. But such professions were
false to the core. DuPlicity has marked
every step taken by the Republican bosses
and leaders in and out of Congress.
Protectionists and monopolists are
absolutely controlling tariff legisla-
ton in Congress. The welfare of
The people is shamefully dsregarded.
Mr.. Carlisle, of Kentucky, recently charac-
terized the House tariff bill as more protect
i've in its general principles and structure,
more binding and oppressive on the people
and more injurious to the trade and COM
merce of the country than any tariff scheme
ever proposed. There was only an apparent
reduction in many cases, and in Others,
while it made reduction of the revenue,
there was ON increase of the burden of tax
alton. In the wooden and cotton schedule
the Committee had made a large increase
over the Tariff Commissions recommends
tons, but the change in existing laws, while
decreasing the revenue, placed in additional
burden of 81, 900, 900 on the people. The bill
not only increased the duties on cotton ties
four-ifths of which are exported, without
any drawback being allowed, but
1t also increases the duty on bar
rel hooks for casks" Democrats are
endeavoring to correct the vicious character
of the bill, but they have not the power to
succeed. They are not in the majority, and
yet Republicans, with clear majority in
the House, are seeking to make the Demo
cratic party responsible for legislation relat-
ing to tariff matters. The Senate bill is
quite as Ubiquitous as the House bill. Sen.
ator Pugh, of Alabama, few days since
said that 1.-The so-called reductions are in
genious devices to mislead the people and
silence their complaints against oppression
and intolerable taxation. The classiicatlons
of dutisble articles are all made in the in
terest OF the protected manufacturer and
against the consumer. AS rule the reduc-
lions of duty are on articles
of small value and comparatively of
little use to the great mass of con.
sumers, and where the reductions are on
staple articles that enter into general con-
sumption the articles are so classified that the
reduced rates are put on those that are Inn
ported in the least quantity, and on the pre-
tense of a worthless reduction of rates on
non-essentials there is a large increase of
duty on different classes of the same articles
that are imported in large quantities and
supply the American market in part at re-
duced prices to the consumer" The abso-
Lutte justice of the characterizations of
Messrs. Carlisle and Pugh is admitted by all
men who desire tariff reform and the well
fare Of the country. But we hear it asked,
why don't Democrats in Congress propose
substitutes for the bills now under discus
sion? Such questions indicate a condition
Of dementie scarcely q remove from
downright idiocy. Democrats are not
in the majority. They are power
less except to aHtagonize tariff
rascality and expose Republican duplicity.
In these regards they are doing their duty.
They are fighting excessive protection, and