Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-08-04
A POLITICAL |
False Protenses of the Mills Bin Ex-
posed.

posed.
''The Mills bill ought to be beaten be-
cause it does not secure the necessary re-
duction of the surplus. 1t is a condition
which confronts us, not a theory" This
is, as the quotation from the presidents
message would imply, the language of a
Democrat. 1t is spoken by a Democrat
who has resisted the ruling tendencies in
his party, and is not in accord with it on
its present policy, but who is, neverthe-
less, supporting Cleveland and Thurman
this year. And, like most criticisms
of q party from within, it is truthful,
though unpalatable. The Pioneer Press
showed, a few days ago, that the
Mills bill is strictly a party and not a
revenue measure. 1t viii not reduce the
surplus to the necessary extent. 1t may
not reduce 1t at all. Reductions of duty
are always followed by some increase Of
importations, and it is among the articles
placed ON the free list, which would have
insured reduction, that the Democratic
caucus has made havoc. 1t will not secure
tariff reduction nor tariff reform. The
moving purpose of those who framed it
is now demonstrable from a list of the
most important changes that have been
made in the bill since it came from the
hands of the committee.
The following is q list Of the leading
articles which were on the free list when
Mr.. Mills made his report to the house,
and upon which tariff rates have since
been restored by agreement of the Demo
cratic caucus: Flax, glue, gelatine, ism
glass, licorice juice, bone black, linseed,
lime, marble, kaolin, manufactured
earths, essential oils, plums and prunes,
hatters' fur, paintings and statuary,
paper pulp and plaster of paris. The
Ing the last fiscal year was So, 391, 953.
fication of raw materials" which the
left untaxed. And in almost every
case it is possible to trace directly the
political influences that led to q
restoration of the duty. 1t was on mo-
ton of Mr.. Wilson, of Minnesota, that
linseed was struck off the free list. No
body knows better thar Mr.. Wilson how
slender are the chances of his return to
congress. II the duty on a commodity
produced extensively in his district were
repealed by the congress of which he is q
member, he need not even have made a
campaign. Mr.. Lawler, of Chicago, was
at the bottom of restoring the duty on
glue. out of similar Difference to his con-
stituentss And item after item of the
changes quoted, changes which at once
destroy 10 per cent. of the reduction which
Mr.. Mills declared that he intended to
make by additions to the free list, were
made for immediate party effect in given
localities. 1t is not a newly awakened.
concern for threatened Americans inter
ests, but a concern for the Democratic
party in the November elections, that is
the formative principle Of the Mills bill.
1t is evident, from this exposure, that
congressman and people out of congress
should cease to refer to this bill as q
measure of surplus reduction, or an eff
fort, however crude, to reform the tariff.
1t has no more relation to these objects
than has the raising of a Democratic cam
paign fund. As far as tariff reform is
concerned. The New York Sun has good
reason for its jubilant cry hat "the great
Mills bill and the two eloquent Breckin-
ridges, and with them the chief tariff
smasher of them all, Grover Cleveland
himself, are all the time carried surely
and irresistibly toward the solid ground
SO long occupied by the man the people
love and contide In, the patriotic, high
minded, true Democrat and reforming
statesman, Sam Randall" The Demo-
cratic party is entitled to get out of the
Mills bill what aid and comfort it can.
But to assume that the bill Is anything
moro than a campaign document, SO ar
ranged as to give needed assistance to the
party in doubtful districts, while pretend
ing to benefit the whole country by re-
ducing revenue, is attempted deception
too weak to deceive.-St. Paul Pioneer
Press.