The Democratic advocate., 1888-10-13
For congress,
HERMAN STUMP,
The Senate Tariff Bill.

The long promised Senate substitute for the
Mills bill has at last come to light, after
months of dark. lantern conferences and secret
committee room work. The House Ways
and Means Committee was censured for dila-
toriness in producing a revenue bill, but, be-
ginning de moro, it formulated one and pre-
sented it to the House in less than three
months from the time the committee was ap-
pointed. With the Mills bill before it, and
with the benefit of the full discussion OF its
provisions from every conceivable standpoint,
the Senate committee was about two months
and half in bringing their substitute in. 1t
is well known that the Republicans were di-
vided as to the propriety of going upon record
as to the tariff, in the way of presenting
bill, and the measure was delayed in the hope
that the Democratic House would propose an
adjournment, and thus deliver them from "a
hole" But they misunderstood Democratic
sentiment. The Democrats of the House are
anxious for an adjournment: and have been
for two months, but they are in earnest in
their movement for tax reduction, and they
did not, and do not, propose to allow the
Republicans to plead want of time to formu-
late and pass bill 1t is not for the House
to propose adjournment, but the Senate.
The Republican substitute for the Mills bull
which was presented to the Senate last week,
is a remarkable measure, viewed in the light
of the Republican national platform. That
party deliverance declared against the sur
render of any part of the protective system,
vet the Senate bill makes 4 cut Of fifty per
cent. on sugar. Here, at least, is one smTen-
der of the protective system, but as the sugar
of this country is mainly produced in state
that gives an overwhelming Democratic ma
iority, the Republican Senate probably con-
cluded that nothing was to be lost by the sur
render. Jute and jute butts have been put on
the free list, and so has rice, but then these
are other Southern productions, and the South
is hopelessly Democratic.
When the committee came to woods and
woolen goods, however, the protective system
glowed out in all its beauty, and to help a
waning cause in Ohio and other wool growing
states, the present duties were not only main
tanned, but actually increased. Alcohol. used
in the arts. is relieved from taxation, thus
opening the way to frauds by which whisky
also can escape taxation, and opium is one
of the additions to the free list.
The Republicans now want to make it ap-
pear that opium is in the free list by an error,
but they cannot so plead, for ii is also referred
10 as being on the free list in the majority re-
port presenting the bill TO the Senate. IT
COULD NOT GET THERE BY MISTAKE. Not only
is opium put on the free list, but idols were
admitted free by the Burlinghame treaty, and
the Senate tariff bill admits joss. sticks duty
free in order that their celestial brethren may
worship without fiscal burdens. Republicans
should not desire to shrink from the respon-
sibility of making opium and joss sticks free,
for their candidate for President was not only in
favor of unrestricted Chinese immigration. but
was also in favor of granting citizenship to the
Chinese. Their bill is only in line with the
sentiments of their candidate. What would
the Chinese be without free opium, free idols
and free Joss sticks? Without these conces-
sions he would not be able to underworld the
American laborer, and then what would be-
come of the American manufacturer? What
would trusts do? And what would the Re-
publican party do without the contributions
Of trusts and combinations with which to de-
bauch the people.
The bill gives cheaper sugar, makes long
step toward free whisky, encourages the de-
moralzing opium, joints by giving free trade
in opium, makes heavy cut on tobacco, and
increases the tax on clothing, blankets, car
pets and other wooden manufactures. 1t not
only surrenders the protective system, in part,
against the declaration Of the Republican
platform, but it denies the authoritative as
sertion few months ago put forward, that
there would be no surplus this year. for its
authors claim that it will effect reduction of
some SIS, 100000
Not only is the bill burlesque, so far as
meeting the public demand for tax reduction
goes, but it is in direct conflict with the Re.
publican national platform. 1t is only for
campaign use, however, to huabug the peo-
pie, and will not be passed before the elec-
ton. 1t is being discussed, but it is likely II
will be laid aside next week and a recess pro-
posed until the middle OF November.