Morning journal and courier., 1888-03-12
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. RANDALL'S TARIFF BILL To Cut Off A Hundred
 Millions. THE NEW EMPEROR IN BERLIN. Thousands Look Upon The
 Remains. THE ENGINEERS STILL FIRM. Furious Flight Of A Runa-
 way Horse.
THE ENGINEERS STILL FIRM,
THE LATEST TARIFF BILL.

 ing statement: The bill repsals the entire internal revenue tobacco and on fruit brandies. It also repeals the license tax on wholesale and retail liquor dealers, leaving these, as recommended by Jefferson, so that the ''State authorities might adopt them" It makes alcohol used in the arts free and re- duces the tax on whisky to fifty cents per gallon. On the tariff the bill is careful and complete revision of the whole system. It carries to the free list large number of articles now paying duties and which enter into consumption either raw material or otherwise and in the production of which there is no injurious com petition between this and other countries. In the revision of apply consistent principles to all branches of industry, and so doing our industrial system has been considered as whole and differing from other industrial systems in the fact that the labor in this country receives lars- CT share of the annual products of labor and capital combined than in any other country. This important advantage to the labor inter ests of the United States the bill aims to pre- serve, while at the same time in fairness to all interests, as stated in the Chicago plat form, to reduce and equalize the duties on imports. The principles applied to the re- vision of the tariff in this bill are 1) that the difference in the cost of producing commodi- ties in this and other countries where there is no domestic or other natural causes why they cannot be produced abundantly in this coun- try has been studied and everywhere adher- ed to as the cardinal principle to be enforced in any revision of the tariff. In such scheme all industries of course should stand on an equal footing and in no instance should the powers of government be used to elevate one above another. in other words our sys- tenn must be considered as whole in which all who participate share it's benefits, whether engaged in one industry or in another. One principle has been kept constantly in view and that is the line which marks the differ ence in cost Of producing commodities here and abread-in other words the line of fair competition-is always and necessarily above the poiRt of maximum revenue. Consequent ly to reduce the duties on a commodity below the line of difference in cost, which as stated in the line of even competition, until the line of maximum revenue is passed, necessarily increases the revenues. On the contrary, to raise duties from the line of maximum revenue by lessening importations reduces the revenues. This principle has been kept in view throughout the bill in the adjustment of duties. To determine just where the line of difference in cost falls is, of course in many instances difficult. but it may be safely assumed when importations in any line of commodities is largely increas- ing-no good reason appearing why the things cannot as well be pro duced here-that such .- duties are below the cost line and that the producer If production in the same line is diminished or suspended altogether in this country it becomes proof positive that the advantage is too great to be overcome with out readjustment of duties. In such cases embracing, however, but few articles there has been no hesitancy in preparing this bill to raise duties so as to permit these industries fof fot hair T11a Qh wit nt iy, ha country. Where importations are light and increasing it may consistently be assumed that the duties are quite high enough and in many cases may be safely reduced, and in case the industry is of such nature as to permit trusts and combinations of any kind to raise prices above the level of prices or profits in other industries, then it becomes important that the cost line should be closely adhered to and that has been the aim in the bill in industries where trusts or combinations are supposed to have such power. It is less important, of course, to apply this rule rigidly where prices are regu- lated through free competition in such case under well known economic principles the tendency is always to 8 general level in profits, wages and prices in any industrial system.
 In working out the details of the bill under these principles the aim has been to compare closely and adjust carefully the different schedules, with the object always in view to lower duties wherever possible and reduce the revenues, being careful at the same time to hurt no established industry. The esti- mated reductions under this bill will be on internal taxation repealed seventy millions, estimated reduction on tariff schedules twen- ty-fve millions.
 The bill is the result of great labor and industry and is framed after the fullest in quiry and conference with those directly in terested. The rates will not suit many of those engaged in manufactures, but are deemed fair and proper response to the de- mand for reduced rates in cur tariff laws. A summary of the bill (which is fully twice as long as the Mills bill and relates to many more subjects) follows:
 Section 1. That all laws now in force whereby farmers and producers of to- baceo are restricted in the sale and disposi- ton of the same, and all laws and parts of laws so far as the same relate to the internal revenue taxes herein specified be, and the same are hereby repealed, to take effect July 1, 1888, namely: The taxes on manufac- tured tobaeeos, snuff, cigars, cheroots, cigar cites and the special taxes required by law to be paid by manufacturers of and dealers in leaf tobacco, retail dealers in leaf tobacco, dealers in manufactured tobaccos, peddlers of tobacco, snuff and cigars and manufao- turers of snuff and of cigars. Provided, that on all original and unbroken factory pack ages of smoking and manufactured tobacco and snuff, cigars, cheroots and cigarettes held by manufacturers, factors, ,job- bers or dealers at the time such repeal shall go into effect upon which the tax has been paid there shall be rebate in favor of said manufacturer, factor, jobber, dealer or either owner of said tobacco, snuff, cigars. cheroots | and cigarettes to the full amount and extent of tho tax so paid thereon; but the same \ shall not apply to any case where the claim | has not been presented within ninety days ! foIl fho of vrho of. 1 feet and no claim shall be allowed for less l amount than 50, and any special tax stamp 1 covering taxes repealed by this act may be 1 redeemed for the portion of the special tax | year unexpired at the time of the repeal when | the amount claimed for sush stamp shall not | be less than $5; and all sums required to
 satisfy claims under this act shall be paid l out of any money in the treasury not other- wise appropriated and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt such rules and regulations, and to prescribe and furnish such blanks and forms, as may be | necessary to carry this section into effect.
 Section 9 That internal revenue laws limiting, restricting or regulating the manu-
 facture, sale or exportation of tobacco, snuff
 cigars cheroots and cigarettes are hereby re
 pealed to take effect on July l, 1858, and tha there shall be no drawback allowed upon any
 such articles which shall be entered for expor on or after that date. Provided, that al
 
 force and effect in respect to all oHenses com
 mitted, liabilities incurred or rights accruins
 or accrued prior to the date when ths repea.
 of the taxes specified in this act shall take eff
 feet.
 Section B. That all laws and parts of law imposing an internal revenue tax upon spirit
 distilled from apples, peaches and othe
 fruits are hereby repealed to take effect ol
 July 1, 1888; provided, that no person or per
 sons shall be allowed to manufacture or distil spirits partly from fruits and parly fror grain or other substances without payment c the full tax required by law upon the makin
 or manufacture of spirits distilled from grair
 and any person violating the provisions C
 this section shall be fined not more tha
 $500 or imprisoned not more than one yes
 or both at the discretion of the court, pro : vided further, that upSn all unbroken pacl
 ages, kegs or barrelsfof such fruit spiri there shall be drawIE sk or rebate in fays