The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-04-23

Liberal synopsis of the Majority of the
Ways and Means Committees Report.

Liberal synopsis OF the Majority OF the
Ways and Means Committees Report.
The majority report begins with statement
OF the financial situation, and estimates that
the surplus at IL end OF the present fiscal year
will he so, 600 0O0, AMI deducting the sum
quired to make payments on the sinking fund
the net surplus OF receipts over expenditures
will be S43,6iSsS3. The estimated surplus of the
next fiscal year will be S43 $50, j22 which, with
the amount OF cash now on hand and available
reaching S90,OOOOJOl VIII Justify reduction OF
the revenue in the sum contemplated by the bill
reported so 1916 93j, and probably more from
customs and say Sl0327,STs from internal reve-
nue. or total OF 81 264, IA.
The report SAYS "lhe exact effect upon the
revenues of the Government OF the proposed
bill is difficult of asccrtanment. That there will
be. IA substantial reduction, as we will show, adj
mts OF no doubt. IL is not believed that the
increase of duties upon woods and WOODEN goods
and upon glass ware will have the effect or in
easing the revenue. That would, of course
follow ii the importations OF the last fiscal year
were hereafter 10 be mainta ned, which, how
ever, Is altogether improbable. The result hill
be that importation will be decreased and
therefore the amount Of revenue collected from
these sources will be diminished. In every case
of increased duty, except that imposed upon
tin plate (which does not so into effect until
July l, 1891 and upon linen fabrics the effect
will be 70 reduce rather than enlarge the
of. 1t was the aim of the committee
to fix the duties upon that class OF
manufactured goods aad farm products
which can he supplied at ONE, 10 dis
courage the use of like foreign goods and prod
ice and secure TO our own people and our own
producers the home market, believing hat COM
petition among ourselves will secure rsasO lable
prices 70 consumers in the future, as IL has in
Variably done in the past. We seek by the in
creased duties recommended not only 10 main
tain Dat 10 enlarge our own manufacturing
plants aud check those supplies from abroad
which can be lrOttably produced AZ home The
general policy of the bin is to foster and promote
American production aud liberalization OF
American Industry. We have not been so much
concerned about the prices Of the articles
consume as we have been TO encourage n system
Of home production that shall give fair romu
neration TO domestic producers and fair wages
20 American workmen, and by increased produc-
ton and home competition insure falf piices 10
The committee admits that free trade or reve-
nue. duties would temporarily diminish prices,
but argue that II would be az the expense of the
domestic products, which would be displaced,
and then prices would again advance and the
country be left at the mercy OF foreign syndi-
Gates and manufacturers.
The report says: Cheaper products from
abroad 10 the American consumers means
cheaper labor at home and lower rewards to the
dom estic producer, with no permanent benefit
20 the consumer Neither CONDITION would
prove blessing 10 the Uaited States.
That country il the least prosperous where
low prices AID low wages prevail One OF the
chief complaints now prevalent among our
farmers IL that they can get no price for their
crops at all commensurate 70 the labor and cap
ital invested in their production. Those who
differ from must believe that even further
AGRICULTURAL depression is not desirable for no
other consequence can result rom their eccen-
trio Theories. They advocate cheap prices as
the chief object OF the industrial policy they
commend TO the country. This means perma-
nently low prices for agricultural products
we'll as for manufactured goods. This bill is
framed in the interest OF the people of the United
States 1t is for the Letter defense OF American
homes and American industries Ample reye-
nues for the wants of the Government are pro-
vded for by this bill ald every reasonable en-
c1uragement is given TO roductive enterprises
and 10 the labor employed therein. The COM
SfunCh as
O0O,0OO are annually required 10 meet the ex-
penses Of the Government, IL is wiser 10 tax
those foreign products which seek market here
in competition with our own than TO tax
domestic products or the non-compsting foreign
products.
~The committed responding as Il believes TO
the sentiment OF the country and the recon-
mendations OF the President submit what they
consider TO be "A Just and equitable revision OF
the tartf, which, while preserving that MEASURE
OF protection which IL required for our indus
trial independence, will secure a reduction OF
the revenue both from customs and internal
revenue sources. We have not looked alone to
a reduction OF the revenue but have 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.
I'VE have realized that "A reduction Of duties
below the difference between the cost q labor
and production i'm competing countries and our
own would result either in the abandonment OF
our auufa.turing here or IN the depression of
our labor. Either result wOuld bring disaster
have recommended no duty above the point OF
production here including labor and the cost OF
like productions in tine countries which seek
our markets nor have we neglected TO give this
measure OF duty, though IL involved an
increase over present rates. and showed an adj
vance OF percentages and advalorem cquiva-
lonts. We have not sought TO make n uniform
rate OF duty upon all imported articles. This
would have been manifestly unjust aud inequi-
table"
DETAILS OF THE BILL.
The committee closes its argument upon the
genernl subject OF the tariff by a quotation from
the last annual message of the President and
then proceeds TO al scuss the details of the bill
taking up first the general provisions intended
20 prevent frauds. such as the limitation Of ex-
emption from duty OF wearing apparel 60 the
value OF $50. the omission Of the present pro-
vision for free entry OF goods wherein the price
paid included the duty. and the protective clause
relating 20 registered trade marks. The report
next treats OF the changes that have been made
in the duty imposing schedule OF existing law.
OF chemicals, II says that many not produced
in the United States are placed on the free list
10 benefit the consumers mainly manufactur-