Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-02-09

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"The considerations which have
been presented touching our tariff
laws are intended only 70 enforce an
earnest Recommendation that the sur
plus revenues Of the Government be
prevented by the reduction Of our Gus
toms duties.
"But the reduction Of taxation de-
manded, should be 20 measured as not
to necessitate or justify either the loss
OF employment by the workingtnan.
nor the lessening Of his wages; aud
the profits still remaining TO the man
ufactnrer.
"It il not proposed 10 entirely re-
lievs the country of taxation. II
must be extensively continued as the
source Of the Governments income.
at may be called protection or by
any other name, but relief from the
hardships and dangers Of our pres
ent tariff laws should be devised
with especial precaution against inn
periling the existence of oar manufae-
turing interests. But this existence
should not mean q condition which,
without regard to the public welfare
or a National exigency, must always
insure the realization of immense pro-
fits instead of moderately profitable
returns."
It will be seen that his only reme-
dy is in the reduction Of tariff duties.
No intimation 10 gwen as to what
special reduction should be made, and
it is mnst be conceded that any ac-
ton is handicapped BY the protection
clauses. Nothing must be done that
will imperil the existence of our man
ufacturing interests, or the employ
ment OF the woFkingman, or that will
lessen the reasonable prodts OF the
one or the present wages of the other.
These are far from being expressions
in favor OF free trade: on the contra
ry, the most biased protectionist could
scarcely desire more, for even he
would not demand that his system
should be allowed to ENSURE the re-
alization of immense profits, instead
of moderately profitable returns" 1t
is only upon this class of imports, the
President desires the reduction secur-
ed. He will at once be met with the
denial that any such manufactures ex-
list, and it would be difficult 70: him
to specify them; certainly not to The
extent that the lessening of the duty
would produce anything like the re-
duction required. The very fact Of
the importation of the assaulted article
in large amounts and the collection of
large duties thereon. would seem to
negative the theory of inordinate or
unreasonable profits in the manufac-
ture here. Doubtless there are inc
qualities In our tariff laws, which
should be adjusted. and where any
article is found to be unduly protect.
ed in the manner described, the pro-
per remedy should be applied without
delay, whether it puts more or less
money into the Treasury. This is not
the matter under consideration and
to which the President refers. What
we wish to learn is in what manner
the tariff can be reduce in accordance
with his views, so that our constantly
increasing surplus, may be either
speedily or eventually disposed of.
The net surplus for the past year
was about 800, 100000 and that of
the present year is estimated at Sll3,-
100000. The total customs duties
collected for 1887 (year ending June
30th), was $2l2,O32, 424 Bureau of
Statistics). The reduction to dispose
of the surplus must, therefore, be at
least onc-hdlf of this sum.
The total duties collected on man
ufactured articles Ito which the Presi-
dent especially refers) was Sol, $685.
Soc, and adding that on crude or raw
materials and partially manufactured
articles, the total is only 800, 200, 900,
so that it would require all these to
be placed in the free list to produce
the desired sum. Sugar realized $751;
100000, and all other articles, mainly
Injuries, $54, 100000.
He says nothing concerning sugar,
and, judging from experience, it would
prove of doubtful expediency to reduce
that duty. notwithstanding the i'm
mense importation and large revenue
collected, the price of sugar has ruled
very low, and it is by no means GER
tain that the reduction of duty would
lessen the cost 10 the consumer. No
one favors any reduction on Injuries.
Now, il added TO this showing, it
should finally appear that the Presi
dent Is mistaken as to the great profits
realized in manufacturing under our
tariff, and that the trusts" to which
he refers. instead Of being for the pur-
pose of maintaining prices at or slight
ly under the importing figures, are
mainly combinations for protection
against disastrous competition and
financial destruction,-then, any re.
duction of the tariff, short Of entire
abolition,-from creasedimportation
caused by the displacement of the
home supply. would, in all probabili.
ty, lead TO increased customs receipts,
and thereby an increased instead of
diminished surplus.
1t has always been the policy of
this Government to obtain its current
revenues from tariff duties, and at
times, without regard to the protec-
ton Of home industries,-a tariff for
revenue only. being a form of free
trade. The imposition of an internal |
revenue tax has been foreign to its