New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-06
An ABLE DOCUMENT.

The report of the majority OF tne oehdte
Finance Committee on the House Tariff bill
is document of remarkable power 1t begins
with brief review of the objects which make
revision of the tariff desirable, and shows that
the House bill would not reduce but would
probably much increase the enormous surplus
revenue; that it provides no remedy for under
valuations, though these frauds are vastly IN
creasing but on the contrary, " gives immunity
TO unlimited fraud by the substitution OF ad
valorem for specific duties"; that it does not
remedy any of the anomalies or cure any OF the
defects of existing law, but 81 by obscullty oil
phraseoogy and by faulty construction would
indefinitely multiply the confusion that now
exists''
The committee discusses at length the sub
stitution of ad valorem duties, by which when
foreign prices are abnormally low protection
is reduced and depression is intensified; while
when foreign values are highest rates are high
est. and restriction enlarges into prohibitlon."
II would exclude the coarser and commonef
cottons and woolens, such as are largely con-
sumed by the millions, but would encourage
the importation without restraint OF the inner
fabrics which may be properly designated as
luxuriesn If there were no other objection TO
the House bill, this substitution of ad valorem
for specific duties ought to defeat 1T
The changes of rates proposed by the House
bill are criticised with great acuteness The
proposed free list the Senate Committee pro-
nounces "free trade in the concrete" which
furnishes conclusive evidence Of the intent
of the House bill.'' In many cases, where a
manufactured article is placed on the Tree hS'
n duty is retained on the material which Wouio
act as prohibition of production III this couh-
try. Soap and looking glass plates are III
stanced, with tin plates. Amazing absurdltles
are pointed out, which illustrate the lncom-
petence of the trainers. Some articles arc free
under one description, but dutiable under an
other. In a great number of instances ma
terials are dutabe at one rate and products
from them at lower rate. All machinery,
il is pointed out, would be constructed IN
part of copper, in order to SECURE 2dmssion al
30 per cent, while the duties on the iron and
steel. which are more important materials,
would remain at higher rates. Bags OF lute
for grain are free for flour, vegetables OF
other purposes, are dutiable at 20 per cent.
Wool. beans and peas are made free, While flce
is dutiable at 81 % per bushel and sugar Is
subjected to high duties.
The pretence that the bill would secure free
raw materials is shown to be deceptive. The
PROPOSAL to admit wool free is discussed at
length, and with great array OF facts; the
sectional character of the bill is exposed, and
its peculiar tendency to favor Canada While
destroying the home market for many Northern
farm products. But bare enumeration OF the
effective points made IN this admirable repor
would be, like the report itself, SO long that
some would fail to peruse it.
II is the greater pleasure to be able to COM
mend this report unreservedly, because IHE
TRIBUNE cannot entirely commend the changes
Of duty which the Senate Committee has pro-
posed But the committee itself proposes to
continue hearings and the collection OF in
formation while the bill is under discussion,
and so contemplates that notifications may be
found desirable. Nor should this be thought
strange. when it is considered that the Senate
Committee has had but two months In which
TO examine the House bill, upon which SIX
months have been spent, and to prepare an
otHer. 1t was not to be expected that task
50 great could be performed without any mis-
takes or errors Of Judgment whatever in so
mo