The Delta independent., 1888-10-09
DELTA DELTA COUNTY COLORADO TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1885,
THE TARIFF DISCUSSION.
The Two Reports Submitted With
The Senate Substitute Bill.


The Senate Substitute Bill.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.-The majority
report on the tariff bill declares that the
demand for a careful and thorough revis-
ion of the tariff laws is imperative-First,
to reduce the national revenues. which arr
now excessive. second, to protect honest
importers and domestic producers from tie
disastrous consequences resulting from
fraudulent underyaluations of imported
merchandise on which ad valorem rates Of
duty are levied; third, TO remedy the de.
fects, anomalies and incongruities which
have been from time to time discovered in
the tariff schedules or which have hesn
created by erroneous decisions Of the
treasury department. fourth, to secure the
re-adjust.>snt aud equalization of tariff
rates, rendered necessary by modlhed
business conditions, Improvements in
methods OF Z production, radical changes
In prices or by new elements or sources OF
competition; fifth, to give relief and pro
lection to many indust.ie les now suffering
on account OF inadequate rates levied on
competing products.
The public demand for { reduction OF the
revenue, the majority says, is more urgent
on account Of the inexcusable retention in
the national treasury or on deposit in ma
tiOnal banks of vast sums of money in ex-
cess of the amountrequired TO pay current
demands upon the treasury and TO meet at
maturity the obligations ofthe government
This sum, with additions which will accrue
within the next four months before anyleg-
islative action reducing the revenues can
be effective, 1t declares will be sufficient TO
pay in full the outstanding ~ per cent
bonds due in 1871 ,amolniing to S22I 10000.
This accumulation, IT Insists, could and
should have been pr liiiably avoided by a
prompt return OF the money collected from
the people to the channels OF trade
through the psrchase Of United States
bonds that could at e'I times have been OBJ
tanned for prices which 10 the government
would have been equal 10 the investment Of
other wise Improbable funds at rate OF
interest of Hotltss than 9 per cent
The majority expresses its conviction of
the inadeluacy OF the House bill as RENE
dial measure, for these reasons: First, tha.
il would probably increase instead of re-
duce the revenue; secoEd, that IL prJyides
no remedy for uudeIvaluation, but on the
contrary invites and gives immunity II
fraud by substituting ad valorem for spe-
citic duties; and third, that it does not REM
edy any inequalities or anomalies or cure
any defects Of the existing law.
The report Of the minority makes docu-
ment of twelve printed pages. Ii begins
with Il statement that in the preparation of
substitute for the House bill no member OF
the minority of the committee was consult
ed or informed ss to its provisions until 1t
was reported to the full committee on Sep
tember rs. The minority recites the work
of the sub-committse in hearing statements,
arguments and appeals OF manufacturers
and Others who demand that the present
high rate Of tariff taxation shall be main
tanned and in most instances prompted not
by revenue necessities, but alone for the
purpose OF Increasing their own profits at
the expense OF 10OO0,Olo taxpayers. Con-
tinuing, they s&, "it is safe 10 say that
all the Interests bened!ted by a high pro-
tective tariff have teen fully heard and
have had much influence IN shaping this
substitute, while the great body of the peo.
pge-tsxpayers and victims OF this policy
have not appeared and have not been
heard.
1t is then said thst TIE short time this
substitute has been In the hands Il the
minority has made it diff cult TO ascertain
is e1rects, but The essential difference be-
tween the House bill and the Senate suSs.i
tuto is apparent ana radical at the outset in
the matter OF revenue. The one is formed
in the Interest o. the public treasury, the
other in the interest of private pockets.
The one IS formed in the interests OF the
whole people. tho otuer in the interests Of
$4,000 manufacturers. The one is designed
TO reduce bota the observation-disclosures and
taxation, the taxation, especially which
bears heaviest on the neoessaries Of life
The other is intended to raise the public
revenue indeed, but to maintain private
revenue by increasing and restoring taxa
zion on all necesSa Saries of life.