The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-03-09
The New Tariff Bill.
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After three months of careful considera-
ton, the Democratic members of the Ways
and Means Committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives have submitted tariff bill which
will reduce the amount of tariff taxes paid by
the people of the United States $52, 100000.
The reduction by the extension Of the free list
amounts to $22,0OO,000. On wooden goods
$12,25O0O0; on sugar, $12 100000 jute, hemp
and fax, $1,500000. Other items going to
make the reduction in the tariff are chemi-
Gals, china and glass, provisions and cotton.
Gamers as well as housekeepers will be in
terested in knowing that the new tariff bill
makes a considerable reduction on tin, which
will save our people no less than $5,000,0O0
year. Sugars that pay duty of lao cents
per pound will be assessed 1.15 This seems
to be small reduction but it will enable us
to sweeten our coffee and make our cakes at
u cost of $12, 100000 less than now The
duty on manufactured wooden goods will be
materially lowered, which will give US
cheaper clothing. Flannels, blankets, &c.,
are to be reduced from 70 to 40 per centum
nd valorem, which ought TO reduce the price
of these indispensable articles of home COM
fort at least one-third.
The bill very properly proposes no re-
duction in the tariff on luxuries. The duties
on jewelry, silks, wines. &c, remain just as
they were.
Taken altogether the bill is fulflment
of the pledges made by the Democratic
party in its platform. 1t will probably pass
the House but it is not likely that the Senate
will pass it.
1t is said that Mr.. Randall has bill ready
to present to the House to antagonize the bill
of the Ways and Means Committee. His bill,
five may Judge from his record on the SUBJ
ject of reduction of the tariff, will endeavor
to make a reduction so as not to affect the
great monopolies Of the country, and with.
out any reference to the good of the people
at large.
The new bill does not make as sweeping
changes as could have been desired, but it is a
step in the right direction. 1t has been framed
80 as to do the least possible injury to the man.
ufacturing interests of the country, while
at the same time the welfare of the great
body of people has been carefully looked
after. 1t may rightly be termed "the poor
name tariff"
The Washington Post says oft:
1.-THE committee has acted wisely in franz
ing moderate measure Vicious as the pro.
lection theory is, oppressive as it has been on
most Of those whom it has falsely professed
TO benefit, our industries have been adjusted
to it, and no party or faction proposes such
a sudden righting of wrongs as might make
a bad matter worse. This bill is but a step,
not leap nor stride, but a carefully con-
sidered step toward the ultimate object of
revenue reformers. 1t leaves wrongs un-
touched and touches but lightly In some
places where, but for expediency, firm hand
would be placed. 1t is compromise neces-
STATED by the facts of the situation but it
meets the pledges of the Democratic party,
1t meets the pressing demand for reduction |
ofredundant revenues, 1t gives Republicans
no just cause of complaint or opposition, it |
seconds the bugle blast of the President and
1t answers fairly well as a definer of Demo-
cratic demands on the tariff branch of the
revenue question"
The Baltimore american also says:
"The new tariff bill Is constructed for the
most part in accordance with the two Demo-
cratic ideas-that articles used by the poor
should be taxed less heavily than those con-
sumed by tho rich, and that the raw mater
ials of manufacturers should pay no duty at
ALL