Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-08
BECKS TARIFF COMMISSION
BILL.
He Says that He is Responsible for it
some of its Features-Its Prospects.

He Says that He is Responsible for it
Some of its Features-Its Prospects.
Mr.. Beck said to-day, says a Washington
special of Jas. 6, that while he had spoken to
two or three Democratic Senators about his
revenue commission bill, 1t was entirely his
own measure. Whatever was good in it he
claimed the credit for, and whatever about 1t
was bad must fall on his shoulders. The few
men he had spoken to on the subject had said
they were glad he was going to offer such
bill, and he had reason to hope that It might
pass the senate and House Of Representa-
tives. Mr.. Beck believed that a commits
sion made up OF able men from the two
houses would be able TO gather infOrma-
ton before next December which would
be Of the greatest possible value TO
the House in preparing legislation on tariff
and internal revenue subjects 1t could do
me work much better than a commission Of
outsiders, anu would nave kt lts hands the
benefit OF the labOrs OF the last Tarln COmms-
SION His idea was that besides reductions
of import duties, there was room for very de-
cided notifications OF the present customs
and internal revenue machinery, which would
greatly simplify the system and be of much
helm 10 the business interests OF the coun-
try. He did not doubt that such
commission as he proposed would recon-
mend large reductions in the present
tariff rates. 1t was time. MIR. Beck thought
for tine Democratic party to do something in
the line Of tariff reform. There was no time
for legislation on the subject at this session,
bf with a comprehensive report OF the
revenue commission ready for it in December
there would be plenty of time for the Forty
ninth Congress to take action. and 1t would
have no excuse for not doing so. Mr. Beck
was inclined TO think that the commission
sb0uld he composed of members OF the House
Committee on Ways ana Means and the SEN
ATE Committee on Finance.
AIR Beck's bill follows very closely the
sn1rif and letter of Secretary McCullOch's an
mai report In this report Mr.. McCullOch.
after sDeak king of the imperative necessity Of
enlarged foreign markets for our manufac-
lures EXPRESSED the opinion that the lnfor-
nation required for full understanding OF
yvbat stands in the way of an increased eX-
p0rtatiOn can be obtained by no better means
fhan the appointment of commission. Sueh
a bodV the Secretary thought should be
composed of men not welded to doctrines oI
free trade or protection; fan. mlndeu
quiry thoroughly. comprehenslyely, ana
111nnsrttsIIy Mr. McCullOch pointed
ont that the inquiry could not be prosecuted
in time by the Ways and Means committee;
and suggested that members of the House anu
the Secretary Of the Treasury, eX-Othclo, would
furnish the best material for a commission.
The Secretary believed that If a commission
was appointed il should at the outset regaru
two points as settled-that the public reVe-
nues are not to be in excess OF what Is required
for the support OF the government and the
gradual reduction Of the public debt, and
that our manufactures are not to be put IN
jeopardy by radical and sweeping changes IN
the tariff.
In estimating the chances Of Mr.. Beck's
measure IN the lower house, IL it should pass
the senate, it is believed that the bill would be
sunDOrted by the followers of Mr.. Carlisle.
When the bil creating the Tariff Commission
was under discussion in the House Mr.. Car
Isle made an unsuccessful effort to have it so
amended As TO prOvide that the members of
the commission should be members OF Cen
greSs.