Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
sUNDAY..........JANUARY 10, 1886
The Tariff.

We are glad to learn that the Demo-
Gratis on the Committee Of Ways and
Means of the House Of Representatives
have by Q majority vote, or committal'
decided that in framing new tariff the
attempt shall be made so to adjust its
rates as to secure its passage by the
Senate. That would seem to be 9 prac-
teal, busipess-like method Of dealing
with the tariff, and therefore statesman
like.
III majority Of the Democrats on the
House Ways and Means Committee are
willing thus to yield something to the
views, or If you prefer it the preju-
dices. Of the Republican majority in
the Senate, it would seem to follow
that there is good prospect that the
country will soon have new and bet
ter tariff. Surely it needs a better
one. We have said again and again
that the present tariff is the worst the
United States Government ever had un-
less the MORRILL, tariff was worse
one.
But if the tariff is to be revised, as
undoubtedly it should be, Congress
ought to do the work as expeditiously
ss possible. The businessmen Of Rich
mond know from experience that trade
and traffic and manufacturing in this
city are affected injuriously whenever
bill to reduce the tax on tobacco is I'M
der consideration in Congress. This is
one reason why we wish to have all in
.ternal taxes abolished. Similar inju-
rious effects result to manufacturing in
terests in the North, and in the South
too. whenever tariff bill is under con-
sideration in Congress. The manufac-
turing establishments affected by the
bill almost necessarily stop. The man
ufacturers dare not make goods so long
rs the rates Of customs-duties on arti-
cles such as they manufacture are un-
settled and unknown.
Mr.. HEwITT's hobby is the admis-
sion of raw materials free. This
change in the existing tariff would suit
northern better than it would suit
southern manufacturers. Virginia has
in great abundance Goals and ores
in other words, raw materials-which
she may not wish to have brought into
injurious competition with foreign Goals
and ores any more than she wishes to
have her leaf tobacco brought into in
furious competition with Sumatra to-
bacco. or her manufactured tobacco
into injurious competition with tobacco
manufactured outside Of the United
States where the tax of eight cents per
pound on such tobacco is not operative.
The men who know it all are not
troubled by any doubts as 10 what IL
were best to do. They would at once
f. abolish all customs.duties that are pro-
tective in their operation and enlarge
the free list indefinitely. Fortunately
for the country, there are statesmen in
Congress who will see that the republic
+, shall suffer no detriment at the hands of
these doctrinaires. The tariff is bust
ness question, and as such ought to be
regarded by Protectionists, Free Ira
ders, Revenue. Tarifites, and all others.
The Committee Of Ways and Means is
composed Of all these classes. Mr..
CARLISLE made up that committee of
Just such men as ought to be upon it.
OF course such committee will never
consent to report bill providing for a
horizontal reduction Of customs-dutes.
Such q bill would aggravate the evils
Of the existing tariff.