Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-14
CONGRESSMAN GIBSON
Talks OF the Tariff and Tariff Rsform
LeEislation.


LeEislation.
A REsrsTER reporter called on Congress
man Gibson yesterday to ascertain his
opinion as TO the probable future legisls-
ton upon some uatters of general interest
Amongst other things Mr. Gibson was
asked as to the probability ofany legislation
effectlng the revenue derived either from
tariff or internal resources at the present
session of Congress.
Mr.. Gibson said that he had no idea
there would be any direct legislation upon
the subject at this session, but he antcipa-
ted that there might be legislation seriously
effecting the tariff, and very much embAr-
ressiDg to the incoming administration IN
It's desire for reform in that matter. he
was under the impression that the Senate
might ratify the San Domingo aud Span
ish treaties, and might renew the
Hiwain treaty, ard at the same
time be thought it was probable tha. the
Nicaragua treaty might be confirmed, ana
the Government committed to the building
OF the canal, and while these things were
not claimed TO be reforms they were COW
ertd I'D un6er the general terms OF "reci-
proeity treaties" and would seriously eject
sny tariff legislation in the future. as might
be easily seen hy reference 70 the DIVISION
between the parties, aud within the parties,
upon the tariff For instance, said Mr..
Gibson" it has been conceded BY Press
dent Arthur in his first message that the
revenues Of the country we're not only too
large, but so laid as toe mbsusss, and, to
great extent, destroy the industrial interests
sf the country. The same idea was ex-
prested by Secretary Gresham during the
brieftime be was acting as Secretary OF the
Treasury and was further, but more elabo-
rately, expressed by Secretary hcCalloch
in his recent report. In addition
to that, it was admitted by
the platform OF both parties in their recent
Presidential race and universally conceded
by thoughtful men in all political parties.
These concessions embrace two IDEAS.
First, that the tariff was so laid as to unduiY
oppress the people by the collection OF q
large surplus for which the Government had
no use, and secondly, that the present tariff
system operated to the destruction OF Amer
ican commerce and the oppression OF pm
yate business enterprises. Any reform
upon this subject must necessarily embrace
a remedy for both Of these evils. Simply
TO reduce the surplus would not relieve the
business interests unless in the reduction
of that surplus it should remedy the evils,
which interferes with our commerce and
hamper private enterprises. Nos 10 bring
about the correction Of these evils
there are two theories, each OF
which has advocates in both parties
The Pro,ectionists strive, By The successful
manipulation Of reciprocity treaties, To 40
reduce the tariff revenue on some essential
articles as to make il impossible tor any.
thing like general relief For instance, II
the San Domingo and the Spanish reel.
procity treaties are confirmed, the sugar
and tobacco plantations Of both the San
Domingo Government and the island OF
Cuba, and all their tropical fruits, will be
brought in direct competition with the
sugar, tobacco and tropical fruit interests OF
the United States. II is estimated that
these treaties, BY the destruction Of the
sugar tariff, will reduce the revenue
$40 600 900; that the tobacco and
trorical fruit commerce will reduce the
revenue from twenty to thirty millions
more making from $50, 900 900 TO CSC, ,OOo,'
900. The treaties will directly effect the
Eastern coast, or the section OF the country
east of the Rocky Mountains. The renewal
of the Hawsiin treaty will destroy
American interests west OF the Rocky
Mountains. preventing the development OF
ell that semitropical section OF the United
States bordering on the Pacihc Coast 20
that il may be safely said that the ratitca-
ton of these treaties would destroy revenue
amounting to between S30,000,0oo and
500 OOO, 900, and for which the American
commerce would receive scarcely any bene-
6t st all, as our exports 10 San Domingo,
Cuba and the Sandwich Islands are
comparatively small Then along with these
projects is an, effort upon the part oftbe same
protectionists interests 10 wipe out the en-
ire revenue arising from internal resources,
making whisky and tobacco free. This
would destroy again in the neighborhood oil
ore hundred millions or more Of dollars that
lie Government now collects from these
sources. Now this would not only redace
The surplus. but ii would prodace a deb.
cheney in the revenue, requiring an addi-
lioLal list Of articles 10 be pat upon the pro
tsc,ed list, and an Increase upon such ariI-
cIes as are not made in the United states
and that the people Of the United States are
conpellsd 10 purchase They cooh no,
raise this de6cieney by increasing the tarif
upou articles manufactured st home a. well
as abroad. because By an increase in the
istiff the importation would stop and there
Voulh thus be no means OF revenue. B0.
this kind of legislation would only reach
ore ct the evils complained OF and
that is the surplus in the Treas
ury. leaving the unjust discrimi.
Mating. monopolizipg and destructive tariff
still in force and fall operation upon the IN
dustrial interests Of the country.
The theory Of those who are known ~
tariff relormers embraces the oppoeitlou 70
commercial treaties that operate only 20
reduce our tariff, while giving us no market
for the products Of American skill and
American labor. They believe that no
couLtry should be allowed TO send lis asti-
cIes free TO America 10 compete with hike
articles OF American prodaet, unless that
country ut the same time opens rs con-
merciaI gates 10 American prodset,, 30 that
our numerous surplus productions and
MANUFACTURES hoo hRHSuiNsIS p
should find an untrsmmelled marte'
in that country. They are a the
sane time opposed to tanh sJS
TEN that SAYS 70 the Suffering lasorers
Of the United States that they may have
free whisky and free tobacco. but that they
shall pay . tar upon their sugar, their med
icine. their cotton shirts, their voolen cloth
ing, their shoes and the blankets that cover
hem. They are wiling for fair reducfioa
in the internal revenue; they vsnt 70 cor
rect the abuses Of that system and 70 make
Il a. /. ought 10 BE- an aid TO de Govern
renf and 70, spoEtiesl machine tos op
preston and barrsssing the people. Nov
ibe resources Of the United States prodses
annually about s400.0Oe, 900. Is takes
somewhere In the neighborhood OF Slsy $50.
900 10 conduct the Government honesty and
economically. In addition 70 this
a9sa foa mn fhis eOunfry abeo-