The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-12


revenue, respectfully reports that III SAID mes
sage and accompanying documents the President
has deemed it his duty to give to Congress infor-
nation as follows:
To make a start in the proposed reduction of
nue. from imports, a tariff commission has been ere
ared In coed faith it undertook the work. In its
report to Congress it said that early in its delibera
tons the commission became convinced that a sub
stantial reduction of tariff duties demanded not
by mere indscriminate popular clamor, but by the
best conservative opinion of the country. Such
duction of the existing tariff the commission regards
not only due recognition of public sentiment and
q measure of justice to consumers, but con
ducve to the general industrial prosper ity and which
though it may be temporarily announcement. will ulti
matey be beneficial to the special interests
affected By such reduction Entertaining these
present a scheme of tariff duties in which
substantial reduction should be the distinguishing
feature. The average reduction in rates including
that from the enlargement of the free list and the abe
lion Of duties charges and commissions, at which
the commission has arrived is not less an average
than 20 per cent and it is the opinion of the commits
sion that the reduction will reach p per cent.
''The chairman of the Senate committee on
Finance, in explanation of the bill before the
Senate, last year, which, after various amend
ments became law, estimated at 80, DOC. 600 the
reduction of revenue which would follow the
changes in the tariff proposed thereby. These
calculations have not been verified. So the
question still presses, what legislation is neces-
sary to relieve the people OF unnecessary tax
Your committee find that in the first
six months, ending Dee 81, 1883, under
the act Of March 3. 1883, (the new
law, dutiable merchandise was imported into the
United States valued at $3.50 1913 109 on which
duties were paid amounting to $96 514, 1876, being
1891 per cent. on the value thereof In the
corresponding six months of the year 1882, under
The old law the value of dutiable imports
amounted TO $3.50. s56 2I3 and the duty paid was
SIP $50, $50. or AZ % per cent on the value. 1t
thus appears that the average cost of importing
goods valued at 800 was only /. "a per cent. less
under the new than under the old law This
exhibit Of reduction in rates made by the act OF
March 8 1883, amounting to l. IL per cent OF
duty. is subject to an unlmportant mod
ifcation resulting from changes in value
and other conditions some Of which in
crease and others reduce the comparative
nd valorem rates. The nominal reduction made
by the proposed bill is 20 per cent, or one-ffth
OF present rates. With the Morrill, tariff limita-
ton in the bill, and the liquor and silk schedules
omitted. the actual reduction. on the basis OF
last years imports, will not exceed ID. "a per
cent on the whole importation Of dutiable goods.
Together, the average reduction by the tariff
commission bll-the act of March J. lSS3-and
that to be made by the proposed bill, do not
equal the reduction at which the commission
aimed
Wood sawed lumber coal and salt are of
such universal use among. and so necessary to
all people, that In view OF the present abundant
Treasury receipts, it is not deemed advisable
longer to obtain revenue from tax on these ar
ticieS- The decrease IN revenue, as shown
by the receipts under the new law, other than
that resulting from the nominal reduction of
/. IA per cent, results from falling off, to the
value of nearly SO 600 600 of imports in the first
half of the year under the new law as compared
with the first half of the previous year under the
old law The reduction in revenue receipts UNI
der the bill reported is estimated Mt $3l 900 600
on the basis of last years imports To the eX-
tent of that $3l 900 600 the bill will relieve the
people OF unnecessary taxes. 10 that extent
taxes will be reduced directly, as a measure of
justice to consumers, and indirectly in largely
Increased proportions
VIEWS OF THE MINORITY.
The minority of the committee, in presenting
their views say it is a noteworthy fact that not
single interest in the United States has asked
for it--neither manufacturer, miner, laborer,
farmer, nor consumer has asked or desired the
proposed reduction. On the contrary every
interest represented before the committee on
ways and means has protested most earnestly
against the change recommended by
She majority of the committee. We
nave said that no interest has asked
asked for it, We should have excepted the free
trade clubs Of New York and Brooklyn, which
were represented before the committee
by number of socalled political economists,
urging not this reduction alone, but the entire
abolition of import duties which in any way
aud they favored this proposition because it is a
step ia the direction Of absolute free trade de
claiing their preference for the collection of the
revenues of the government by direct taxation
of domestic products and duties upon commodi-
ties that cannot be produced in this country,
such as tea and coffee. With these exceptions,
every interest in this country has spoken with
the strongest emphasis in opposition to the bill.
We are opposed 10 the bill, because,
First-It will disturb business 1.-THE discussion
If it in committee has already done this; it will
unsettle values, retard incipient enterprises,
ripple those now established, impair confidence
tmong business men which is so essential TO our
development and prosperity, and bring no c0un-
lervailing benefits
Second-k will, of necessity. force down the
price OF labor in the United States; it will slim
ulate imports, increase competition from abroad,
which can only be successfully met by reducing
the cost of home products. We cannot too
strongly emphasize our opposition to any legis-
lation which even tends TO reduce our labor to
the foreign standard, either III price condi-
ton. The maintenance of fair and adequate
pay for American workmen Is indispensable to
fieir well-being, and the education of their fam
lies is essential to the good order of society
the stability OF our institutions, and the welfare
and progress of our country.
Thrd-This proposed reduction will inevitably
increase foreign importations, and as a conse-
quence will as all experience teaches, increase
our revenues, TO which increase every interest of
the country is opposed.
Fourth-It is wholly unnecessary, unjustifa-
he and in every aspect and to every American
interest only hurtful The enormous increase
Of capital and wealth in the country during the
last fifteen years, under the protective tariff.
now forces capital TO seek employment
in tho development of our mineral, agricultural
ana other resources. TO the advantage and gain
Of all cur people; and a change modification of
tho system will create such doubt of successful
enterprises as to check this useful tendency and
thwart a national Development of progress which
is without precedent IN the civilized world
Probable Fate of the Measure.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
WAsHINGToN March ll.-To-day a commit