New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-20
REDUCING THE REVENUE.
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AT
WORK.
DEMOCRATS STILL welded TO FREETRADE
rHDoRIES-SHALL THE SUGAR DUTIES BE
REDUCED OR REPEALED ?-HOw THE
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS STAND
L welded TO PREFERABLE
THE BILL TO BE PASSED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

IBY TELEGRAPH TO TR.BuHE.I
Washington, Feb. 19.-The Committee Ways and
Means is holding daily sessions and is making fair
progress in the preparation OF revenue bill whlch
VIII include such notifications OF both the Tsrih
and Internal Revenue laws as the committee shall
End or believe to be wise and practicable it is the
opinion OF members OF the committee that the bill
will be reported to the House before March 49,
probably about March 10, unless the illness OF Chal-
man Mckinley, who is now staying at Fortress
Monroe, by the advice of his physician, shall become
moro serious and tedious than is now expected. Inc
committee has adopted, the basis OF It's WORK ana
recommendations, the substitute of the Dark Lam
tern" bill, which passed the senate at the last session
Of the Lth Congress. As was to have been expected
the minority Of the committee adheres pretty closely
as rule, to the rates of duty proposed by the
former measure, as well as to the general plan
according to which it framed-the substitution
of ad valorem for specific rates of duty, wherever
practicable.
The Democratic members seem to be more closely
welded than ever TO their freetradc theories, suche
q thing be possible There has been much gossip
spectng the attitude Of Mr. Flower. some Republicans
expressing the belief that Messrs Mills Carlisle
would not End him especially traotsbe ready
blindy to follow them in all their free trade vagarieS
but the better opinion TO be that he will stand
with his Democratic colleagues the committee. and
with his party in the House.
The sugar question is which has occupied a
discussion in the committee. The "Dark Lantern bill
reduced the duty on all sugars not above No. l.,
D. S. 10 IL per cent; and all sugars above No 10,
d. S., 20 per cent. II also reduced the duty on
molasses testing below Sc degrees from 4 cents To
3-A cents per gallon. and molasscs above 90
from cents to cents per gallon. The senate
substitute reduced the average rate Of duty the
sugar schedules, taking the al valOlem equivalent for
basis, from s3.43 per TO Al OF per cent-that
Is TO say, nearly 50 per cent. The Democratic
members of the Ways and Means Committee maintain
their old position.
The Republicans have two propositions under CON
sderation. one is that which the senate adopted last
year the other, which is favored by majority. is TO
repeal the duty altogether and provide for the pay
ment during term Of years Of a bounty Of say two
cents per pound all sugar produced in the United
States, whether from cane, sorghum or beets. This
proposition is understood to have the support of three
Western and two Eastern members; while Chairman
Mckinley Mr.. McKenna. Of California, and Eastern
member prefer tie senate provision. The LOUISIANA
Kansas and California members, who represent sugar
producing interests, not inclined to regard favor
ably the proposition TO pay bounty; and they con
tend that domestic producers cannot stand reduction
Of than 20 per cent from the present rates OF
duty.
The repeal of the sugar duties would cut of about
s56OOO,OOO Of revenue from customs. and il is esu
mated that the bounty would take about sG,OOoOOO
per annum from the Treasury. 1t was estimated by
the Finance Committee that the substitute, as reported
~ the Senate. would reduce the revenue Om customs
about S36,OOO,OOO; and that the total reduction Of
revenue, including the repeal Of the taN on alcohol
Used IN tie Industrial arts, would amount 10 aJo"l
SU5 566,OOO. If there were no question a, 10 the
abty OF the Treasury TO bear the loss OF rj2OpOOoO
OF revenue account OF the repeal OF The sugar Cutc
fcations of the Customs and Internal Revenue laws
there would be little doubt that the sugar duties
would be repealed 10y the House, where The sentiment
in favor Of such action Is extremely strong.
Another matter which the committee has under
ference Of opinion, is the rate Of duty 10 he imposed
on carpet woods and other similar Woois. Inc
ponud At the foreign port OF shipment and five cents
20 nound if valued M more tian twelve cents per
time as much The senate substitute made the raje7
four cents and eight cents pc: pound, l,-pecuveA,
On unsecured woods and Twelve ana tNeIl5 -Iolt
cents Oh secured wOJlS The Demo- F1tc members. oi
course SIN contend for free woods OF ali eiddc- on inc
ground that viii both enhance ne Iilce % H9hsc
wool and cheaper the cost oil "ooI'!l -uup9 anu An
ing 10 the domestic consumer. 1T j, understood ttt
one or more Republican members hold me OPINION
that, with proper SAFEGUARDS against iaNuteht unue'
valuation and classification and il-.d enforcement
Of the law he rate, proposed by w t gI cp1
members are also OF the opinion tiat greater Iedu'
.O soIne UaracraphS Of tic schcdule metals.
peciay those relating TO railway bar OF steel ana ron
The scare about "dchct' WMch the Demo
cratic and Mugwump newspaper are trying 10 create,
with the aid Of FTccTradcr, M Congress, docs not
seem as yet have made visible impression upon the
Republican members OF the WAYS and Means Commit
tee. who thoroughly understand the motives which
Is The fear Of the Democrats that the revenue laws
will be revised by this Congress, act which they
fully realize would be disastrous 70 them a, party.
OF course they also hope by raising dcdcit' bag
bear and other means Of deception, to prevent. If
possible the enactment Of other 10 which tie
Republican party j. pledged, and which the country
expects and demands.
That fair revision Of the Tariff and Internal Rev
enue laws Will pass the HOusc, however, despite the
freetradc crOalfng, and opposition Of the Democrats
and Mugwumps. there is little reason TO doubt
and there is a. little doubt that will follow subsan
tally the lines laid down in the senate substitute. and
provide for about the amount Of reduction in the
revenue.