Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-03
Badly gen,1eber 5nnrnal.
Augusta. Tuesday Morning, July 3.
Tariff Changes.


Most Of the changes made in the tariff
law passed last winter, went into effect
the first day of the present month. A
statement of the changes with opinions
concerning them by leading merchants of
New York occupied considerable space in
the Tribune of Saturday
In chemical products the duty is lower
in nearly all cases. Borax. boracic acid
and borate Of lime, however, which we're
free, will now pay from three to five cents
pound, and the tax on spirit varnishes
and preparations of opium has been almost
doubled. A number of spices, Of which
pepper is the most important, have been
put upon the free list. Crockery and
glassware will pay from 10 to 80 per
cent. more than heretofore, with the ex-
ception of certain kinds of glass bottles.
Iron and its manufactures make very
important item in the list. Speaking gen.
orally, the new tariff upon these articles is
lower than the old one, the exceptions be-
ing iron ore, on which the duty is raised
from 20 cents to Is cents, and cast and
wrought iron. which will pay 1912 per
ton, instead of from 80 to Sc. The prin-
cpal reduction IL in railway bars made
partly or wholly of steel. These have
come down to Sl7 per ton, tall Of from
$40 to 1880.
Sugars will pay from % to so per cent
less than before; and the tests will be
made by the polariscope-an improve
ment upon the present method. On cigars
the change has already gone into effect,
and dealers and smokers alike rejoice at
the lowering of rates. Tobacco wrap
.pers. however. pay double what they did
"a change due to the late immense inn
portation Of Sumatra tobacco for this pur-
pose.
The duties on cotton and cotton goods
are slightly reduced throughout the whole
list. Those on hemp, jute and fax goods
remain about the same. Those on wool
and wooden goods show reduction in
some cases quite material. For instance.
the old tariff on woods was 10 cents a
pound, plus per cent Of the value, and
IL cents, plus 10 per cent. according to
quality. The new tariff is 10 and II cents
pound. Silk and silk goods stand
about as before.
Two important reductions are those on
manufactures of paper not otherwise clas-
al 10
dried pulp for paper makers use. from 20
TO 10 per cent.
A number of other articles have been
put upon the free list, among which may
be noted unwrought glass plates for opti-
cal instruments, macaroni and vermicelli.
parchment, and engravings, etchings, etc.
more than 20 years old. Paintings and
sculpture, on the other hand, have ad-
vanced from 10 to 80 per cent. 1t will
be remembered also that many changes in
the internal revenue vent into operation
on the LIST inst. The tax on checks, drafts,
patent medicines, matches, etc is taken
off entirely-a change for which every
body Is thankful. Speaking broadly, the
principal changes throughout are toward
simplification and reduction. Many arti-
cles will pay specific duties instead of nd
ralorem-a good change; many others
which formerly had imposed upon them
both specific and an ad ralorem tax,
have one OF these removed-as, for in
stance. wool
There is better and more definite
classification than before. and disputes As
to the Interpretation of the law are not
likely TO be so frequent. Business men
generally do not seem to anticipate any
great changes from the new schedule
Business prospects are bright. everybody
seems pleased. and if there is no further
agitation and uncertainty in tariff matters.
the country will easily adjust itself to the
changes now made.