The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-03-26
The New Tariff Bill.
lew York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
The Republican members Of the Commit 4
tee on ways and Means have completed the /
new Tariii bill, after much investigation and /
careful weighing Of conflicting interests. On I
a great number of points the members were 4
agreed. and on a few. compromises were /
reached which il is expected the Republicans /
win unitedly sustain in the Committee and 1
IN the House The bill has for its basis the 1
one adopted by the Senate u the last session /
bat in many essential points appears to be 1
an improvement upon that measure. Farther (
examination and discussion may justly |
notifications. but in nearly all essential fea- I
lures the measure seems to answer very
faithfully the wishes and expectations Of
those who elected Republican President
and a Republican majority ofthe House.
In the election of 1883 the Tariff question
had the foremost place, and two objects we're
distinctly avowed by voters Of the victorious
majority They wished the Protective sys-
tenn not only upheld but completed, by cor
rection Of omissions aud defects which ex-
psrience had brought 10 Eight in the schei
ules relating 10 manufactures, and by more
Just Protection for agricultural products.
4 siuction Of revenue was desired. but il
was the avowed purpose of the msjority TO
affect il without lessening the defense Of
American industries. These wishes of the
people appeared to have governed the Re-
publican members Of the Committee. BY
reduction OF duties not intended or no, now
required for Protection they have cut down
the revenue about s3em0O00 They have
placed ia a separate agricultural schedule
for the FIRST time, and have materially broad
eaed and increased the duties on farm pro
ducts. They have corrected numerous de
fecls which years Of experience have dis
closed 10 the Tariff % $50, and have stopped
many leaks which had been opened by The
in ,enuiry OF foreign rivals or importers, or
by rulings Of hostile Administration.
Pabhc opinion has been distinctly recog-
nized aud oteyed. also. in dealing with some
Of the most important combinations by
which the cost Of products 10 consumers has
az times been enhanced. Tie Sugar Trust
will have leii margin OF only 3 per cent.
be.ween the duty on raw and the duty on
relined sugar, which Is too small to support
any unreasonable exaction. The barbed-
wine combination Sees thedp;y On fence wire
/ placed al siK-ienshs Of cent per pound,
wlich Is now The duty on iron rods The
/ combination of few makers 10 fix prices Of
steel beams and girders. in which prominent
! Democrats are conspicuous. sees duties on
such products reduced from . cents to
six-genths Of cent per pound. Probably
/ the combination Of steel rail producers,
which does not fix prices but regulates pro-
duction. Ia a chief cause of the reduction
( from sl7 to SIS per ton IN The duty Oh steel
rails, which has been higher than the man
ufaciure in lis present development requires
7 for It's defense. The copper combination
fnd, duties on copper reduced one half
The fai.ure Of the Tariff TO encourage the
manufacture Of tin plates is remedied by an
adequate advance in the duty. Tin remains
free. and il Is believed that the new duty Of
> cents on the finished plates will insure
the development OF the manufacture. The
wooden duties are arranged 10 give the man
ufactare compensation for the new duties on
wool, and 40 per cent. on yarns. So per cent.
on goods, and 90 per cent on clothing. Du-
ties on hemp. TAX, and jute manufactures
are increased 50 per cent. with specific
duties on collars and cuff. ia order 10 pro
mote the manufacture Of linens. and duties
on fax are raised, bit on cotton bagging
there Is reduction. There is an increase in
the duty on cutlery, while hand sewing
needles are placed on the free list, and the
cotton, eArthen, and glassware schedules are
not materially aitered
The great feature Of The new bill is she
radical increase in the duties on agricultural
products. Beside the important advance in