New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-29
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DEMOCRATIC TARIFF TALK.
MAKING PROFESSIONS OF MODERATION.
TIE FREE TRADER IN THE BACKGROUND-wHATMA1
BE ARGUED FROM THE PAST.
[RY TELEGRAPH mol TnE TRIBuNR.I

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.I
WAsHTNGToN, Dec. 2S.-The Democratic members
of the Ways and Means Committee are beginning to
define their views on the tariff and nearly all Of
them anxious to show that they are not " free
traders" For example. Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas,
says 4" 1 don't believe there is free trader on the
committee. lam Democrat aud believe in % revenue
tariff, bnt am not free trader | am for revenue
reform, but want it accomplished gradually. 1
am opposed to radical or sudden charges in the
tariff. want to make better and more just and
equitable tariff without in any manner disturbing
the business interests of country"
REVENUE FROM CUSTOMS REQUIRED.
Mr. Mills of Texas. more courageous. He
says 81 am in favor of the lowest amount of taxa
tion that will produce the required amount Of
revenue from customs. In imposing revenue duties,
| would lOOd to the question of revenue alone,
holding that it is not the duty of our Government
to interfere in the private business of any of its
citizens, except when necessary to protect them
against injustice wrong. Absolute free trade is
imposSibility at this time; but great reduction
of duties on manufactured goods is possibility,
and am in favor of reaching it. There is number
Of articles that ought to be placed the free lst
such for instance, raw materials that enter into
the manufacture of iron, wooen, cotton aud other
products. The manufactured products would, of
course, be reduced in price, when the materials
Instead of having free importation of everything We
want to get a revenue from imported articles,
and the duty should he low enough to encourage
importatOns."
A REVENUE REFOGMER'S VIEWS.
= Mr. Bount, of Georgia, remarks: " This is ques-
tion of theory and practice. If they mean by free
trader revenue refOrlner, then their definition ap-
plies to me. believe in a revenue tariff. but
don't see how we can get to revenue tariff for
years to come without great injury to many of our
industries. believe in revising our tariff and IN
reducing many of the duties where that can be
done without injury; but don't believe that now
is the time to repeal our international revenue
laws"
THE RECORD or THE PAIrY.
Actions speak louder than words. When tho
last tariff bill was under consideration in the Com
mittee of the Whole last Winter tbs extreme FREQ
trade Democrats initiated policy Of obstruction,
which they hoped would be successful, aud which
was only defeated ut the last moment by a radical
change of the rules of the House. This policy IN
cluded the constant Offering and discussion or
amendments, under the i've minute rule. lew OF
these amendments were offered in good faith, but
most of them were simply for the purpose Of delay
the object of which, the defeat Of all tarlu leglsa
tion-everybOdy perfectly understood; for IL was
freely admitted by the men who were put forward
rs leaders. One of them is now member of the
Ways and Means Committee. Day after day, ne
and Mr. Springer and Others kept up the fire OK
cXtravagant, absurd and incOnsequental amend
ments," and they We're supported almost sohdly by
the votes of the SOnthren and Western Democrats
present. No record of those votes was kept, but
not a Democrat who is now member OF the ways
and Means Committee distinguished himself ny
voting against single one OF the propositions offered
Had he done so, the fact would nave oeen
noted.
When the bill at last passed the House. every
Democrat who is now a member of the Ways and
Means Committee voted against it except M.
Hurd, who was not in Congress.