Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-12-05

4
S5, 4GO, 300 is collected. Its use for theae
purposes would doubtless be largely in
creased were 1t not for this tax, which 10
equivalent 20 about $50 per cent OF ~
value. This is q direct and onerous
burden upon our industrial interests and
upon the consumers of the articles pro-
duced, for which there now seems to be
no necessity or excuse. As alcohol may
be exported without the payment Of this
tax, a direct and ruinous discrimination
is made in favor of foreign manusac-
turers, to tho serious detriment OF our
own Industries.
The proposition to remove this tax, it
would seem, should commend itself to
the advocates of free raw material for use
in domestic manufactures. II certainly
should meet with favor from those who
demand the free admission OF wool, on
which there was collected in the last
fiscal year, the sum OF So, 862, 2i1.76,
and the production of which has been
stimulated to the notable benefit OF our
agricultural interests, by rate OF duty
about 200 per cent less than the tax on
alcohol.
The proposition to exempt alcohol for
use in The arts has met with the objection
IIAL WOulu l1SttH5t kuO hltlpuhy ~
collecting the taxes on other distilled
spirits, but the Senate amendment to
House bill 9l51 of the last Congress
seems to provide the necessary safe
guards.
lii case the tax should be removed both
from tobacco and alcohol used in the arts,
the reduction thus effected would be
about S37 100000, leaving q balance
from internal revenue OF about $97,-
500, 900.
deduction in receipts from customs
presents tho only other advisable means
FOR diminishing the revenue. This can
be accomplished:
First. BY reduction in rates OF duty
upon those articles which, by reason OF
inconsiderate legislation, or changes
which have occurred i'll the development
OF our industries, are found to be exces.
sive.
Second BY increase i1 rates upon arti-
oles which have not been successfully
produced here, because not adequately
protected the obvious eject of which
increase would be to stimulate domestic
| production and diminish importations
and revenue. II is plain that such arti-
4 clea should either be fairly protected or
4 placed upon the fr9e-ist.
| Third. BY transferring to the free list
articles which, from climatic or other
causes, ore not and cannot be success
fully produced here, also articles which,
under existing conditions, we cannot
economically produce IN sufficient guam
titles 10 meet the nee5s OF our people, or
to serve the purpose Of competition with
foreign productions, and articles the pro.
dnction OF which is Of uncomfortable
Importance.
Whatever differences of opinion there
may ba with regard TO the best method oil
disposing OF the surplus revenue, and
preventing the accumulation Of money in
the treasury beyond the proper needs Of
the government, and however diverat
may be opinions al 10 the abstract ques
ton OF taxation for revenus purposes
customs and internal, there is genera
agreement that revision of the tariff
and customs laws il urgently needed.
believe it to be the dominant senti
ment OF the country that, in the adjust
ment of duties on imports, protection t.
home industry should be governing
consideration. While there is wild
divergence OF Judgment on this PROPOSE
tiun, it can not we'll be denied that it j
the settled policy of this government tina
such duties shall be so levied as to result
in the protection of labor, employed il
domestic industries, from destructiv
foreign competition.
One of the fundamental objects in th
levying of duties on imports, declared i
: the preamble of the first tariff act pssse
by Congress in 1883, was the encourage
ment aud protection Of manufactures
The doctrine thus proclaimed has broad
ened with our advancing civilization an
growth. aGd its wisdom hes been demon
stgated by the marvellous development {
those industries, protected by the hig
duties, demanded by tho necessities c
. the government incident to civil war.
1t sue Id, however, be remembers
that the primo object in the imposit!o
!, OF these high duties was the raising {
I revenue, and rates were adjusted TO thu
? end, rather th9n TO the protection an
Z development OF domestic industries.
u came about, therefore, that the measul
OF protection was capricious and unequ
Gnd some industries were greatly pro
pered, Wills otberH, equally favored
:, natural resources and conditions, eth,
: Iauguished or fai ed of development.
Onthe slverquestion the secretary max
/. the following recommendation Issl
:. treasury notes against deposits of silv
;, !. bullion at the market price when deposit,
z payable on demand in such quantities
silver bullion as will equal III value,
y the date OF presentation, the number
:, dollars expressed on the face Of the not
y at the market price or 81 yer, or in gol
:, :, ut the option Of the government; or
y ailyer dollars at the option of the holde
= Repeat the compulsory feature Of Il
: present coinage act.
I, y After lengthy arguments in support
y this recommendation, the secretary add
i, He is dull observer OF the condition al
u u trend of public sentiment, in this cou
~ try, who does not realize that the co
y timed use OF silver as money, in SOL
2 form is certain. No measure can be pl
/. scented to which it may not be possible
= find objections. This one is suggest
~ =. with view to promoting the joint uae
= silver and gold as money, and with t
y tnll confidence that It will secure oil I
y. ~ advantages hoped for, from any of Il
y, - plans proposed, without ineufring TIL
!, real or unprecedented dangers.
y The balance Of the report cove
"a lengthy details of the operations OF t
II treasury department.
"a
n CURPsES ON A RAFT.
b. New YcRE, Dec. 4.-Ihe captain
- the NorWepiAn bark Christian Scriv