The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-27
Mr.. M0rrisOn's Latest.


There will be abundant Opportu
nifty for criticism of the details of Mr.
MOrrisOn's tariff hereafter, and in his
bill there is no lack of occasion for
such criticism. But it seems proper
at the outset to consider the measure
in its broader aspects. 1t is a bill for
which no reasonable excuse can be
offered. The country needs no such
change of duties. 1t is not an honest
measure. Professedly designed to cut
down the revenue. it would probably
increase the revenue if passed pro-
fesSedly framed to simplify the tariff,
it would make the law far more com
plicated and confused. 1t introduces
an element of confusion and contro-
verSy, which would lead to much
litigation, in providing that many
important changes shall be in opera
tive as to imports from countries
which impose duties on exports. 1t
introduces another and exceedingly
mischieyOus cause Cf confusion, un
certainty and litigation, in proyid-
ing that certain specified duties shall
not be enforced if they ext eed GER
tain per cent ad Yalorem. Ii reduces
great many duties each a little, not
enough to serve any useful purpose
from free trade ponLof view, and
yet enough to make the tariff less
effective or wholly ineffective for the
defence of home industries. 1t is ut
terly and ridiculouSly unscientific, in
retaining determinations intended
for protection, while cutting down
the rates just enough to defeat the
only object of such determinations
1t places on the free list the products
of some important industries. which
would thereby be Frustrated with
most disastrous results to labor.
The pretence that this bill would
simplify the tariff is too shallow for
serious discussion. AS to a large class
of articles, it would have the follow
ing effect: There are now specific
duties on different qualities and quan
| titles of articles in those classes, and
the only question for importers, for
customs officials, or for the courts. is
whether given article is of the quail
ity defined ; if so, the duty is now so
much per pound, or per yard, or per
gallon. But the proposed bill would
require, first, an investigation of the
laws of foreign countries to ascertain
whether any duty on exports is I'M
| posed and second, an investigation
of our laws to ascertain whether any
duty on exports that may be imposed
by such country is sufficient to put
into effect the proviso of the proposed
bill, or whether that prOvis0 would
he vitalized only by export duties on
! the same articles and third. an ill.,
/ vestigation of the market prices in
foreign countries to ascertain whether
the specific duty would exceed GER
! tain percentage of the foreign cost.
This is Democratic simplifcation. If
Mr.. Morrison or anybody else under,
takes to defend this ahOmnably com
plicated mess of conflicting duties. he
will have lively time of it in Con-
gress and before the people.
The Free Traders have every rea-
son to oppose such bill. because it
recognizes and continues a host of
determinations which exist only for
the purpose of protecting home in
dustries. But Protectionists have
equal reason to oppose it, because
they want no duties which merely
burden the people, but do not suffice
to build up competing industries here
and thus to give the people Ultimate
ly a cheaper home supply. OfaIl con-
ceivable tariffs, such tariff AS the
one proposed would be the worst. 1t
is as if Mr.. Morrison had deliberately
tried to impose the maximum of bur-
dens with the minimum of resulting
benefits. The bill ought to be prompt
ly kicked into the waste backet, by
the unanimous votes of sincere Free
Traders and sincere Protectionists, as
equally offensive to both. ~. Y.
Tribune.
After EortU Vparq