The Portland daily press., 1888-04-04

The Mills tariff bill, with the majority and
the minority reports of the Ways and Means
Committee are before the House of Repre-
sentativcs at last, just four months after the
opening OF the session. As 1t has been the
steady contention of the Democratic party
in Congress and out Of Congress that the re-
vision of the tariff now attempted has been
planned for the good OF the people OF the
country, and the relief Of the overcrowded
treasury. 1t might be expected that the bill
would bear equally upon the people OF all
sections Of the country, and also promise
such a reduction Of theTevenue as to obyi-
ate the inconvenience OF surplus in the
treasury. As matter of fact it promises to
do neither of these things. The people OF
the United States have not been consulted.
In the four months during which the COM
mittee have had the bill under consideration
the majority have refused to hear
many of the people whose interests
would be most seriously affected by the pas
sage OF the BILL Not only have they refused
hearings to the representatives Of the indus
tries of the country; they have not even ad-
mitted the minority of the committee to a
bill has been framed, not for the benefit of
the people of the country, but for the benefit
OF the administration wing of the Demo-
cratic party. 1t has been framed by bar
gaining between the representatives of DEM
ocratic States, like West Virginia, Carolina
and Louisiana, who are held up to its sup
port by the assurance of favors to the rice
and sugar planters and to the prominent
West Virginia manufacturers. Mr.. Mills
and his friends feel confident that they have
extended their log-rolling operations so far
that enough Of their party are interested to
give a majority to the bill. Not only
is the bill partial to the industries of Demo-
cratic States and unjust to the interests Of
States like Maine, that are known to be
staunchly Republican,, and therefore not a
measure for the benefit Of the people, but it
is almost as great a sham in the other re-
spects in which its supporters urge its ne
cessty. 1t is not an honest attempt to re.
lieve the treasury of the embarrassment Of
duties to such an extent as to threaten the
ruin of great and important industries; but
experience has repeatedly shown that a dim
instion of duties tends to stimulate for
eign importations, and thus really in
crease instead Of diminish revenue. Thus,
in the two great and important objects
which its friends herald as its mission, 1.-The
revision of the tariff to benefit the whole
people and to relieve the treasury of bur-
densome surplus-the Mills bill is sham.
The people have not been allowed hearing
wherein they could show up its discrimin-
ations against some Of the great industries in
which they gain their living; and the teach
ings of experience that the amount Of revenue
depends not only upon the rate of duty. but
even more upon the quantity of importations
have been MS thoroughly, IL not so con-
temptpously disregarded. But Mr.. Mills
and his friends cannot prevent discussion OF
the bill on the floor Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, as they have around the table OF
the Ways and Means committee; and when
it comes up week from Doxt Tuesday Its
weaknesses cannot be shielded By srclusion
nor any unjust provision CLOSED by an arbl'
trary vote to take up the next section.