The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-02

THE NEW TARIFF BILL,
IT SHOULD. COMMEND ITSELF TO
EVERY PRoTEcTlONlST.


ssts Especially Considered-Reduction
in Revenue That VIII ResuIt-A Most
Complete and Impartial Bill.
The most prominent characteristic of
the Mckinley tariff bill is the evident
care with which the condition and needs
OF all branches of American industry
have been considered.
The trainers of the bin have not as
suned, as has too frequently occurred
before, that they possessed all the infor-
nation that was to be had in respect to
the requirements of the American people.
They have been willing to listen and to
learn. What is perhaps more remarka-
BILE, they have not hesitated even at the
latest moment to undo what they had
done, as soon as they became convinced
that something better might be done.
This very spirit is in itself an invita-
ten to any persons representing Ameri-
can industry who may find themselves
aggrieved by any portion Of the bill, to
make known their grievances, with con-
fdence that if these grievances are well
founded they will at some stage Of the
proceedings De remeG1ed.
There are still several stages at which
the bill will be open to amendment.
First-When it reaches the committee
of the whole.
! Second-When it is reported back to
the house.
Third-When it reaches the finance
committee of the senate.
Fourth-When it goes into the senate.
Fifth-When it reaches, as it undoubt-
edly viii, committee OF conference.
At any one of these stages amend
ments may be offered, and if they can
be justified. may be adopted. No one
should, therefore, look upon the bill in its
present stage as completed; and 10 doubt
every member of the committee which
has framed the bill viii be pleased at
any time during the proceedings, before
the bill becomes a law, to receive infor-
nation or suggestions by which the bill
may be rendered more perfect.
AS the bill now is it is probably the
most comprehensive and the most intel
lgent bill of the kind ever framed IN the
interest of American labor and industry.
Every year since 1882 congressional COM
mitbees have been carefully investigat-
ing the subject and taking testimony
from experts in every direction. Within
the last two years this testimony has
covered almost every field of industry
and labor. Hardly any subject which
can be named has failed to receive care
full investigation. Yet, as at the last
moment, some changes were made be-
fore the bill was brought into the house,
80 other changes will doubtless be made
and the bill be rendered still moro COM
plete before it becomes q law.
The peculiar and characteristic feat
ure of the Mckinley bill may be found
in the all pervading care which it has
given to-the agricultural interests of the
United States. Wherever it was found
that an agricultural product was suffer
ing in consequence of impOrtatiOns of
like foreign products, the duty has been
so increased as TO prevent further injury.
At the last moment, in order that no pos
sible ground could be found to justify
complaints from American farmers,
sugar. on which a comparatively low
duty had been fixed, was made duty free,
and bounty, practically equal to the
existing rate of duty, was given to Amer
lean producers. By this change it was
intended that American sugar culture
should be- amply protected, while, at the
Same t4lns, the enormous revenue hitherto
COLLECTED from the import Of sugar
Shotid be abolished.
In consequence of these increased rates |
80 To- al
the rates chiefly on the higher grades of |
wooden goods: but as these advances are |
mainly in the interest of the farmer, the |
largest part of Our industrial population,
they ought rot to be objected to by the |
farmers themselves.
The changes in the carpet wool SEIZED |
ule, agreed upon last week by beth wool |
growers and manufacturers, if adopted, !
viii leave the whole of the wool sched- |
uie nearly as 1t was before the tariff act |
of 1853 was passed, and will permit cor
responding ctInnges in the goods sched- |
uie, whiea viii remove the most serious |
objection to the new bin, and at thesame |
time give reasonable Protection to the |
industries concerned.
The higher rates imposed by the new |
bill on tin plates cannot fail to receive
the appreciation of all who are CONVEX
SAINT with this Industry. 1t is believed
that the construction of the law which
admitted iron plates coated with tin at a
lower rate than the same or similar
plates without the additional coating
was a grievous mistake, and has resulted
to this country In an enormous loss. No
doubt can be entertained that within a
very brief period, under the proposed
law we shall manufacture our own tin
plates to the extent of $25, 900 or
$50. 600 coo annually in value, cheaper
their price. reduce the revenue to the ex-
tent OF s. 600 900 to $s,009, 600 annually,
and provide for our own people an in
dustry of the highest Importance.
We cannot help regretlng. however