Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-05-09
THE NEW TARIFF BILL.
slT Is NOW BEFORE THE HOUSE OF
4 REPRESENTATIVES.

Majority and Minority Reports-A Dissent |
4 ing Report by Congressman McKenna.
4 Sugar and Hides on the Free List-Feat-
ures of the Bill.
4 The reports of the majority and minority |
lot the ways and means committee were re-
ported to the house Wednesday, April l6.
Accompanying them was a report Of Con- |
gresham McKenna, of California, dissenting
from the sugar schedule. The majority re-
port is substantially as follows:
We are advised from the annual report of
the secretary Of the treasury that the ordi-
nary revenues of the government, actual and
estimated, for the fiscal year ending June 80,
4 1880, will be $685., 600, 900, and that the ex-
spenditures for the same period, actual and
l estimated, will be 1898, 600, ZOO, leaving a sur
\ plus of $92, 900, 900.
The estimated amount required for the
sinking fund will be $4s, 1921 JIG. 80, leaving an
estimated net surplus of S49. 67S, Ss3. OF.
The excess of revenues over expenses esti-
mated for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1891, we are advised from the same source,
will amount to S4S, 569, 522. 80, which with the
amount of cash now on hand and available,
reaching nearly 500, 900, 900, the committee
believe will justify a reduction of the revenue
In the sum contemplated by this bill Of $780,
0S6,936, and probably more from customs,
and say &c., 1921, 1878 from internal revenue,
or a total of ST., 1884, 414.
The exact effect Upon the revenues of the
government of the proposed bill is difficult of
ascertainment. That there will be a substan-
tial reduction, as we shall show, admits of no
doubt. 1t is not believed that the increase of
duties upon woods and wooden goods, and
upon glassware, will hav the effect of in
-cressing the revenues. That would, of course,
follow If the importations Of the last fiscal
year were hereafter to be maintained, which,
however, is altogether improbable.
In every case of increased duty, except
that imposed upon tin plate (which does not
go into effect until July l, 1891, and upon
linen fabrics, the effect will be to reduce
rather than enlarge the revenues, because
appropriations will fall off. It was the aim of
the committee to fix the duties upon that
class Of manufactured goods and farm pro-
ducts which can be supplied at home, SO as
to discourage the use of like foreign goods
and products, and secure to our own people
n our own producers the home market, be-
lieving that competition among ourselves will
secure reasonable prices to consumers in the
future as it has invariably done in the past.
We seek by the increased duties recon-
mended not only to maintain but to enlarge
our own manufacturing plants and check
those supplies from abroad which can. be
profitably produced at home. The general
policy of the bill is to foster and promote
American production and Investigation of
American industry.
HOME FAIR WAGES.
We have not been so much concerned about
, the price Of the articles we consume as we
have been to encouraged system Of home pro-
.duction which shall give fair remuneration to
domestic producers and fair wages to Ameri-
can workmen, and by increased production
and home competition to insure fair prices to
consumers.
The committee will admit that free trade
or revenue duties would temporarily diminish
the cost of products consumed by the people,
but it would be 50 only because the foreign
product at a lower price would force down
the home product or displace it altogether,
and If the latter, then prices would at once
advance to the consumers, as experience has
demonstrated, who would be without relief
against the exactions of foreign syndicates
and foreign manufacturers. We would have
to give up a considerable part of our own pro-
'duction that we might for a brief time enjoy
the cheaper products Of other countries and
their products produced by a cheaper labor
than our own, or reduce every element. Of
cost, including labor, to the foreign standard.
Cheaper products from abroad to the Ameri-
can consumers mean cheaper labor at home
and lower rewards to the domestic producer,
with no permanent benefits to the consumer.
Your committee has not sought by the pro-
posed legislation to further cut down prices,
but to provide with certainty against that in.
creasing competition from other countries
whose conditions our people are unwilling to
adopt. We have not believed that our people,
already suffering from low prices, can or will
be satisfied with legislation which will result
In lower prices.
This bill is framed in the interest of the
people of the United States. 1t Is for the bet
ter defense of American homes and American
industries. While securing the needed reve-
nue., its provisions look alike to the occupa-
lions of our own people, their comfort, and
their welfare; to the successful prosecution
of Industrial enterprises already started, and
to the opening of new lines of production
where our conditions and resources will admit.
Ample revenues for the wants Of the gov
eminent are provided by this bill, and every
reasonable encouragement is given to pro-
ductive enterprises and to the labor employed
therein. The aim has been to impose duties
upon such foreign products as compete with
our own, whether of the soil or the shop, and
to enlarge the free list wherever this can be
done without injury to any American indus
try, or wherever an existing home industry
can be helped without detriment to another
industry which is equally worthy of the pro-
tecting care of the government.
The committee believe that, inasmuch as
nearly $40O, O00, 900 are annually required to
meet the expenses of the government, it Is
wiser to tax those foreign products which seek
q market here in competition with our own
than to tax our domestic products or the non.
competing foreign products.
We have not looked alone to a reduction of
the revenue. but nave kept steadily in view
the interests of our producing classes, and
have been ever mindful Of that which is due
to our political conditions, our labor and the
character of our citizenship. We have real
lied that a reduction of duties below the diff
ference between the cost Of labor and produc-
ton In competing countries and our own
would result either in the abandonment Of
much of our manufacturing here or in the
depression of our labor.
We ave recommended no duty above the
point Of difference between the normal cost
OF production here, including labor, and the
cost of like production in the countries which
ri seek our markets. nor have we hasitatAd IN