The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-13

woolens, fax, hemp, jute and linens,
the Industries are left with su6stan-
TALLY the same, II not greater, advant-
ages than under existing laws
Other articles the rates on which
ere 10 be reduced, as cotton,
yarns, threads and cosrser cotton
cloths and sugar, are now du,isbls at
unnecessarily and unTesf onably high
rates. These will find compensation
in the burden OF taxation sought o be
removed for reductions iargreater than
any proposed by the bill. We get
from duties on cotton goods 10000
600. The rates on goods from which
we collect $4,000 OF the amount are
slightly reduced, while the rates on
which we collect the $780, 900 are
unchanged. Sugar, at the present low
price, is left at the high but revenue
rate equivalent TO 66 per cent. At the
present higher rate we collect on sugar
more than onefourth OF all revenue
derived from customs. With the still
existing high, II not unwarrntao Bile,
scale Of current ordinary expenditure,
and the one-hali OF the money obliga-
tons OF the late civil war, yet to be
paid, high rate OF taxation must be
long maintained, and in submitting
the proposed bill affecting the cost OF
shelter, OF part OF the food and OF all
the clothing OF the people, it has been
the effort OF your committee to adopt
such rates OF taxation as will be per-
manent, and as will only need TO be
disturbed by unforeseen national emer-
gency, and al the same time exempt
necessary articles of taxation and
thereby promote domestic industries.
In the bill herewith submitted some
/ OF the embarrassment suggested by
| the Secretary OF the Treasury lin his
letter to the Speaker OF February 10th
LAST are sought 70 be removed, and
whatever is formulated for this pur-
poso has received his approval. It il
not pretended, however, that the com.
mittee has dealt exclusively with
the evils which have exaCted the con
domination both OF the mercantile
classes and of the officers whose duty
it is TO enforce the law. So long as
the present complicated tariff shall
exist and duties are imposed more
than 1000 articles largely subject tC
ad vRlorem rates, these evils will con
tinue. All that Congress can do il
the absence Of a general revision 0
the tariff with new and simple CLASH
6Cations is to provide for each case o
complaint as il arises. In the bill pro
posed the most pressing and promi
nent OF the grievances are deal
with. In addition to tn,
settlement OF such controversies
questions, an attempt has been mad,
10 retax the provisions OF the Law
which interiered with the freedom o
exchange, more particularly with ref
ereDce TO the warehousing OF goods II
bond and their withdrawal for con
sumption or re-exportation. A pro
vision has always been inserted for TIL
allowance OF drawbacks to the full ex
tent OF duty paid upon any imported
materials which have entered into tn
production OF articles exported, TIL
object OF this provision is TO remov
an impeachment to the growth OF on
foreign commerce.
In order to release both tn
merchants and the custom officers fror
annoying exactions and unnecessar
labor II is proposed to abolish all oath
and fees and to substitute in lie
thereof, as in other commercial cour
tries, the declaration OF the importer
but preserving the same penal les no,
imp posed by law for false statements.
A limitation Of $500 hes been in
posed on the value OF wearing appart
and other property which may b
brought in free Of duty by a passenge
excepting tourists arriving in tn
United States from abroad. This pr,
vision, taken in connection with tn
proposed section making it a Grim
either TO give or receive any none
for the passage Of baggage thIoue
the Oustom-house will, II is believes
bring TO an end a great abuse in n
gard to the excessive amounts of baj
= gage brought in free in competitio
; with the merchandise of importer
who have to pay duties.