Wichita eagle., 1888-08-18
A POLITICAL BILL
False Pretenses of the Mills Bill Ex-
posed.

pOScds
''The Mills bill ought TO be beaten be-
cause IL does not secure the necessary re-
duction OF the surplus Il is q condition
which confronts Us. not theory. This
is. as the quotation from the presidents
message would imply. the language of q
Democrat 1t is spoken by Democrat
who has resisted the ruling tendencies in
his party. and is no; ia accord with il on
its present policy. but who is, reverthe-
less. supporting Cleveland and Thurman
this year. And. like most criticisms
Of party from within. II is truthful.
though unpalatable The Pioneer Press
showed. few days ago. that the
Mills bill Is strictly a party and not
revenue measure 1t win not reduce tho
surplus 10 the necessary extent IL may
not reduce il at all Reductions OF duty
are always followed by some increase 81
importations. and it is among the articles
placed on the free list. which would have
insured reduction. that the Democratic
caucus has made havoc. Ii will not secure
Tariff reduction nor tariff reform. Tho
moving purpose OF those who framed it
is now demonstrable from list of tho
most important changes that have been
made in the bill since it came from tho
hands Of the committee.
The following is list of the leading
articles which were on the free list when
Mr.. Mills made his report TO the house.
and upon which tariff rates have since
been restored by agreement OF the Demo
cratic caucus: Flax, glue, gelatine. isin-
glass. hcorice juice, bone black. linseed.
lime. marble, kaolin. unmanufactured
earths, essential oils. plunls end prGues.
hatters' fur, paintings Snd statuary.
paper pulp and plaster of paris. Tho
revenue derived from these articles dur
ing the last fiscal year was So. 39l .953
Eearly all Of them come under tho classi-
fcation of raw materials. which the
party asserts. as d principle, should be
left untaxed and IN almost every
case II is possible 10 trace directly tho
political influences that led to u
restoration OF the duty. II was on mo-
ton of Mr. Wilson. of Minnesota. that
linseed was struck or the free list. No
body knows better than Mr. Wilson how
slender ase the chances of his return 10
congress. II the duty on "a commodity
produced extensively in his district were
repealed by :he congress of which he Is u
member he need not even have made "a
campaign Mr. Lawler. OF Chicago, was
ut the bottom Of restoring the duty on
glue cut of similar Difference 70 his con-
stituents. And item after item Of the
changes quoted, changes which at once
destroy 10per cent. Of the reduction which
BIZ Mills declared that he intended 10
make Nv additions "a the free LIST. were
made fer immediate party effect in given
localities Il IS rot q newly awakened
concern for threatened Americans inter
ests. but a concern fo% the Democrntic
party Ia the November elections. that Is
The formative principle Of the Mills bill.
II is evident. fruga his exposure. that
congressman and people out II congress
should cease TO refer 10 this bil as
measure Of surplus reduction. or On of-
fort, however crude. 20 reform the tariff.
Il has no moro relation 10 these objects
than has the raising Of Democratic cam
paign fund. As far "a tariff reform Is
concerned. The New York Sun has good
reason for It's jubiiant cry that ''ths great
Mills bill and the two eloquent Breckin-
ridges, and with them the chief tariff
sTnasher Of them all Grover Cleveland
hira self. are al the time carried surely
and irrosistibly toward the sold groand
80 long occupied By the man tho people
love and confde Ia. the patriotic. high
minded. true Democrat and reforming
statesman. S1rn Rainfall" The Demo
cratic party is entitled 10 get out Of tho
Mills bill what aid and colntor. II can.
But TO sl.surns that tho bill is anything
morn than campaign document. 20 ar
ranged Is 10 give needed assistance 10 tho
party In doubtful districts, wh.ie pretend
Ing to benefit tho whole country oy re-
duciEg revenue. Is attempted deception
too weak to deceivs.-St. Paul Pioneer