The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-05

are of such a character that removal OF the du
ties is unob1ectfonabe.
The report here embodies list of abou
fifty manufactured articles from which
lduties are proposed to be removed by the
Mills bib, referring to which list the ma
Jority says:
This is free trade in concrete and the lis
furnishes conclusive evidence OF the, intent OF
tthe House bill which cannot be neutralzed by
the eleventh hour disclaimers of>its supporters
In considerable number of cases the admission
of important manufactured products free OF
duty while the duty IS retained on materials
Would not only extingush directly affected
but would effectually destroy important collat
eral industries In many cases the duty is re
moved not only from materials, but also from
manufactured products in various stages as
well.
CONTINUED AT GREAT LENGTH.
The majority continues its citation in
illustration of this branch of its report at
great length, declaring that in the House
bill every correct principle of tariff con-
struction has been violated in selecting the
articles for the free list, and those upon
which large reductions are made. Larger
space is given to arguing against free wool
than is devoted to any other single subject.
The majority terms Mills bill "a sectional
BILL" and Says:
The removal of duties from cotton ties, bur
laps, to be used as cotton bagging, machinery
for making cotton bagging, jute bags, etc; the
retention of high duties on certain planta-
tion products, such as sugar, at 6S
per cent. and rice at 100 per cent. the
imposition OF duties which would protect
the coalser kinds of cotton and wooden fabrics
manufactured in this section, all point to an at
tempt by the terms of the House bill to dis
crlminate in favor of the planters of the cotton
growing states an attempt made with the vain
hope that it may be found possible to achieve
the permanent prosperity or one sectlon at the
expense of another.
Tt submits table, which it says discloses
the fact that the section Of the country
which furnishes the Mills bill and two
thirds ofeits effective supporters, supplies
but 215 per cent of the industries to be
crippled or destroyed. The report then says:
The discrimination is not less marked in favor
of the people of Canada aud against the farm
ers and lumbermen living along our northern
border from Maine to Oregon.
ADVANTAGES OF A HOME MARKET.
The majority treats at length upon the
advantages of a home market for farm
products, arguing that it is for the highest
interests of the American farmer that the
number of our food consumers rather than
of food producers should be increased, and
that the general prosperity of all should be
secured. 1t further says:
It is true that the decline in the prices of ag-
yicultural products has been very great, but the
value of these when measured by the value of
clothing, farm utensils, or other necessities of
the farmers life, is much greater now than in
any of the years preceding 1850. The majority
sry the controversy between the oppo-
nents and friends of the bill under consideration
is not one over names or phrases. 1t is con-
test between those who support and those VINO
oppose the American system of defensive du-
ties; and thus the conflict is irrepressible as
that which was waged between the respective
friends of freedom and slavery. The debate is
between those who believe that protective duties
InNranI ~ anvaga
policy and those who believe that all protective
duties are indefensible; and in this discussion
the advocates OF the House bill necessarily take
their places among the opponents OF the pro-
tective system.
AN INVITATION TO FRAUD.
The majority regard the sections of the
House bill, intended to modify the existing
laws relating to the tax on distilled spirits,
as certain to open wide the door to fraud in
the collection of taxes on distilled spirits.
1t is estimated, it says, that with all the ex-
isting safeguards there are annually pro-
duced about 100000 to 5000, 600 gallons
that do not pay a tax, and it is
notably true that in some of the
southern markets spirits are sold at price
little above the amount of the tax. The
majority conclude with statement that
they have considered numerous suggestions
for the repeal of all internal revenue taxes
and the abolition of the entire internal
revenue system, but they deem the adoption
of this course at present both impracticable
and unwise, not only because the repeal
of these taxes would create a
large annual deficit, but for the further
reason that the taxes levied on distilled
spirits used as a beverage. and on beer,
should be retained, and legislation to pro-
tect American dairy products from fraudu-
lent limitations should be enforced.
OBJECTIONS TO THE MILLS BILL
The majority expresses its conviction of
the inadequacy of the house bill as a RENE
dial measure for the following reasons:
1. That it would probably increase instead of
reduce the revenue.
q That it provides no remedy for undervalu.
ations but, on the contrary, invites and gives
immunity to fraud by substituting ad valorem
for specific duties.
g. That it does not remedy any of the Unequal
ities or cure any of the defects of the existing
law.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The minority report says:
The republican majority of the committee not
being willing to accept the House bill as a basis
of revision of the existing revenue laws, and to
correct existing evils, decided to strike out all
after the enacting clause, and report an entirely
new bill.
In the preparation of this substitute no mem
Der of the minority of ths committee was con
suited, or informed as to its provisions until il
1888. The chairman of the committee, in May
last, appointed a subcommittee 10 near
such persons wished to bis heard
upon the revenue question, and much
time has been consumed and thousands of pages
have been printed of the statements arguments
and appeals of manufacturers and others. who
demand that the present high rate of thrift tax
alton shall be maintained, and in most instances
Increased; prompted not by any revenue neces-
sites, but alone for the purpose of increasing
their own profits at the expense of co 00O 0o0
tax payers.
ALL THE BARoNs GIVEN FULL SWING
It is safe to say that all the interests benefited
by a high protective tariff have been fully
heard and have had much influence in sha ping
this substitute, while the great body of the
people, the taxpayers, and victims of this policy
have not appeared and have not been heard
The short time that the substitute has been III
the hands of the minority of the committee
and the changes made in the existing classified
tion, as well changes from ad valorem 70
specific duties. and the many compound
duties imposed, render it difficult fol
the minority to approximate with satisfactory
certainty the extent to which taxation is in
creased or diminished upon the articles included
in the various schedules, or what effect these
changes will probably have upon the amount
of revenues to result from such changes. The
essential difference between the House bill and
the Senate substitute is apparent and radical at
the outset in the matter of revenue.
ESSENTIAL POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.
One is framed In the interest of the public
treasury; the other in the interest of private
pocket One is framed in the interest of the
whole people; the other in the interest of BOO
Gnufacturers. One is designed to re luce both
the government revenue and taxation, the tax.
alton especially which bears heaviest on the
necessaries OF life the other is intended 10 raise
IL md To ,.,,