The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-23
A:REPUBLIcAN OPPORTUNITY.

The Republicans have splendid OPP
portunity to make good their profess
sions in favor Of a proper revision of the
tariff which are 80 generally derided by
the so-called tariff reformers of free
trade propensities. In all Its recent
platforms the Republican party has
favored such a revision of the tariff as
will correct existing inequalities and
properly adjust duties as to give protec-
ton where 1t is most needed. The
Democrats have made several attempts
at revision, but their efforts have been
so entirely and plainly directed at the
doctrine of protection rather than for
the purpose of correcting any evil Of the
tariff itself that the bills proposed have
been condemned as soon as reported to
the public. In the present House two
bills are now pending, one by Mr.. Mills,
the Texas free trade apostle, known to
have the support of the administration,
and another by Mr.. Randall, we'll
known protectionist. While the latter
contains some good points and would be
least hurtful if adopted, both were con-
structed with an idea to sectional inter-
ests, and neither will command votes
sufficient for its passage.
At this juncture there is certainly an
for the Republican MEM
bers to show the country how the tariff
should be revised. Though no one ex-
poets that the Democrats would allow
any new bill or substitute of Republican
origin to pass, the minority of the ways
and means committee should prepare
such bill as their ability and expert
ence will enable them to and present it
that the country may see that there is
one party at least that is sincere in its
professions, and also as proof that the
present tariff may be revised without
harm to any section or industry. Let
the Republicans move in this matter.
We hope that there is truth in the Wash
instcn dispatch contained In .s1yosS, A;caoo
paper yesterday, which says that the
of the House are framing
tariff bill, which they will present ~ a
substitute for the Mills bill. The main
will consist in the repeal of
all the tobacco taxes except the tax up
On cigars and cigarettes and some of the
internal revenue license taxes, the tax
on alcohol used in the arts, and not less
than one-half of the present duty on
sugar. There will also be some changes
in the industrial schedule. For instance,
the wool schedule adopted by the wool
so-called, which recently
net here, will be proposed instead of
he present wool tariff. This schedule
Mr.. Randall refused to accept. 1t pro.
poses substantially the re-enactment of
he tariff on wool of 1867 and is q ma
erlal advance over the rates prescribed
by existing law. The reduction of the
iuty on sugar is the essential condition
IF the Republican tariff bill. The re-
1uction will, however, be 30 arranged
hat it will apply chiefly to the higher
grades of imported sugar, the receipts
from which, it is assumed, will be suf-
fcient in amount to pay the compensat-
ing bounty to the Louisiana sugar plant
srs for which the bill will also provide.
This, in its outline, is the Republican
proposition. 1t of course radically diff
ers from the Mills bill, and differs in
very important particulars from the Ran
lall bill. 1t is not so comprehensive as
he Randall bill in the reduction of inter-
nal revenue duties, and it makes very
'harp cut on sugar which Mr.. Randall's
,ill leaves untouched.
If the Republicans will show their
,and plainly in the matter of tariff re-
'ision, there need be no danger that the
people of the country will 60 back on
hem when the ides of November roll
round.