Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-21
Tariff Bills and the Republicans.

There are strong reasons to hope that
the Republicans Of the House of Repre-
sentativeS will unite on "A well-matured
tariff bill and stand by it firmly. They
cannot do otherwise than to resist to the
utmost The Mills bill which is poorly
masked Free Trade scheme in the interest
of foreign manufac urers and importers.
The Randall bill is decided improvement
compared with the Mills bantling. 1t
would make q large reduction in the reve-
nue., aud would probably reduce the sur
plus all that the necessities of the Govern
ment could possibly allow. While the
measure of the majority of the Ways and
Means Committee would probably make
some rcdu toni the total revenue, though
that l. not certain, and in any event would
do so to "A less degree than the Randall
bill. The opposition of Cleveland aud
supporters to the latter measure shows
their striking Inconsistency and hypocrisy,
for they have been vociferou, in their out
cries against the surplus. The Internal
revenue taxes are war taxes, and have
only been vcuturcd upon in time of war,
and on all previous occasions they have
been repeated rs soon ~ the pressure OF
the debt was removed. They are offensive
to large numbers of the people, and are
susceptible of great abuses and corruption.
They should be promptly abolished, ex-
ccpt perhaps those on spirits not used in
the arts and manufactures. As liquors
used rs Il beverage are n fruitful source of
evil and taxation, it is little matter what
amount of taxes they bear.
The customs revenue is the ordinary
revenue of the government, in peace as
well as in war, and Is largely paid by
foreigners, while the internal taxes fall
wholly upon our own citizens. Mr.. Ran
dall's bill proposes to wipe ont the internal
taxes on tobacco, fruit spirits, aud spirits
used in manufactures and the arts, and
to reduce the whiskey tax to 80 cents on
the gallon. The principle on which he
has revised the tariff is to protect products
which can he rs well manufactured here
IA abrostl, soas the competition of cheaper
labor shall not reduce production and
wages in this country. The estimated
reduction under this bill is from $50 ,000,-
600 to $40. 900, 900 on the internal revenue.
aud $40 200 to s30,000,000 on the
customs tariff.
But Randall's plan covers too much
ground. iisturbs too much existing
schedules and bu siuess arrangements. aud
j. especially Objectionable because it does
not largely reduce the tariff on sugar. 1t
is an Improvement on the scheme of the
Bourbon Mills, vet the Republican mem
bers of the Committee are capable of
preparing much better one. Tariff re-
form should he real, one in the interests
of the people and good government. 1t
is vastly too important To be attempted by
guess or hap-hazarl, and whenever made.
the Judgment of the business men of the
country should he consulted and the full
weight of facts and experience be allowed
as to to the lines and terms of adjustment.
Standing solidly together and consulting
the best American public sentiment, clos
ing the ears against all foreign demands,
the Republicans cannot fall to win success
in the end aud he of great service to the
country.