The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-20
Views of the Minority.

The minority Of the committee, comprising
all the Republican members, object TO the pas
sage of the bill on the ground that Congress
made q general revision OF the tariff at its last
session, warranted by the fact that there had
been no general revision since leG4-65. The new
tariff has been in operation since July. lSS3-too
short time TO have given IL practical test.
The bill reported by the majority proposes a re-
duction OF 70 per cent. and not a single interest
In the United States has asked for It. On the
contrary, every interest represented before the
oommittee-manufacturin hboring, and agri-
cultural-has protested against It. The free
trade clubs OF New York and Brooklyn, rep
resented by number OF so-called polit-
ical economists, have urged not this
reduction alone, but the entire abolition of
import duties which In any way discriminate
in favor Of American producers. While all unite
in opposing reduction, some interests assert the
necessity OF an increase of duties for the main
tenance of the industry and the labor employed
therein. The wool growers of the country, rep
resenting every State In the Union. demand the
restoration of the wool duty OF 1867. While the
minority have sought to respond favorably to
this demand of more than a million of their
fellow citizens, the majority, not content with
a refusal OF the request OF this large class of
producers, deliberately propose to reduce the
duties still lower While opposing a general re-
vision, the minority think that there are inc
qualities which ought to be corrected Among
these, they say, wire rods, cotton ties, and tim
plates bear greatly disproportionate duties TO
kindred articles and should be made consistent
and harmonious
",
this time. because, first, 1t will disturb business:
second, it will of necessity force down the price
of labor in the United States; third, this pro-
posed reduction will inevitably increase foreign
importation, and as consequence increase our
revenues to which every interest of the country
Is opposed; fourth, IL il wholly unnecessary, un-
justihable, and in every respect and to every
American interest only hurtful; fifth, IL has none
of the elements of a carefully matured tariff bill:
sixth, the feature OF the bill whichNapplics ad
valorem rates to most OF the schedules affected
NIL
greatly increase the existing evil of under
valuation, and consequent frauds upon the
revenue, as we'll as 10 80 complicate the rule OF
assessment of duties,a to greatly embarrass the
administration OF the law.
The minority conclude as follows: in the be-
lief that the late tariff legislation would remain
without material change for period of yea 3.
business has adjusted itself to 1t, and producers
have entered into contracts and generally ar
ranged their business, in character and volume,
in conformity with IL. All classes of our people
have relied upon its reasonable permanence and
freedom from immediate and radical changes,
80 that every consideration appeals to Congress
TO let the present law alone. and permit the los
mess of the country to proceed without legisla-
tive disturbance. What the country wants most
Is relief from Congressional agitation. All
of the industries Of the country are ex-
tremely sensitive, and Just at this time
when business In more less depressed in
every branch, the threat or fear of change in
PRODUCES an element of uncertainty and dis
turbance throughout the country, the evil eff
fects OF which no one can foreSee. Twenty per
cent. reduction, or any reduction, however
slight, following so close upon the reductions
made last winter, cannot be defended as to n
single schedule Of the tariff, and IA TO many il
can be shown to be wholly disastrous We be-
lieve that. att sufficient trial OF the effect OF
the last revision. II 1t shall appear that the in
dustrial interests of the country can he main
tanned with. and the condition of the treasury
will Justify, further revision, such action Will
be more wisely undertaken by the friends OF
the protective system and wit h less disturbance
to the public prosperity than IL done now by the
avowed advocates Of the destruction OF the
American system of protection"