New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-20
THE NEW TARIFF ELL.

Tho Republican members of the Committee
on WAYS and Means have completed the new
Tariff bill. after much investigation and care
full weighing of conflicting interests. On a
GREAT number of points the members were
agreed and on few compromises were reached
which it is expected the Republicans VIII
unitedly sustain in the committee and III the
House. The bill has for its basis the one adopt
ed bv the Senate at the last session. but IN
many essential points appears to be an improve
mcnt unon that measure. Further examination
and discussion may justify notifications. but
in nearly all essential features the measure
seems to answer very faithfully the wishes and
oXpectations of those who elected Republican
President and a Republican majority OF the
House.
In the election Of 1883 the tariff question had
tho foremost place. and two objects were dis
tinctly avowcd by voters of the victorious ma
iority. They wished the protective system not
only upheld but completed. by correction OF
omissions and defects which experience had
brought to light in the schedules relating to
manufactures and by more just protection Tor
agricultural products. Reduction OF revenue
was desired. but it was the avowcd purpose OF
the majority TO effect il without lesScnlnS the
defence of American industries. These wishes
of the people appear to have governed the
Republican members of the committee. By
rodnction of duties not intended or not now
REQUIRED for protection they have cut down the
revenue about 10000, 900. They have placed
in a separate agricultural schedule for the first
time. and have materially brOadencd ana IN
creased the duties on farm products. lhcy
have corrected numerous defects which years
of experience have disclosed in the tariff OF
1883. and have stopped many leaks which had
been opcncd by the ingenuity of foreign rivals
or importers, or by rulings Of hostile Admin
istratiOn.
Public opinion has been distinctly recog-
nized and obeyed, also in dealing with some
of the most important combinations by which
the cost of products to consumers has at times
bccn enhanced. The Sugar Trust will have
left a margin of only ; per cent between the
duty on raw and the duty on refined sugar
which is too small to support any unreasonable
exaction The barbed-wirc combination sees
the duty on fcncc-wire placed at siX-tenthS OF
a cent per pound which is now the duty on
wire rods The combination Of few makers
10 fix prices of steel beams and glrderS, III
which prominent Democrats are conspicuous,
sees duties on such products reduced from 20
cents to siX-ten,hs Of a cent per pound. Prob
ably the combination Of steel rail producers
which does not fix prices but regulates prOduc-
ton is a chief cause of the reduction from 81
to Sl3 per ton in the duty on steel rails, which
has been higher than the manufacture in It's
present development requires for its defence.
The copper combination finds duties on copper
reduced One-half.
The failure Of the tariff to encourage the
manufacture of tin plates is rcmcdied hy 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 woollcn
duties are arranged TO give the manufacture
condensation for the new duties on wool, and
/ 0 per cent on yarns, > o per cent on goods, and
60 pcr cent on clothing. Duties on hemp, flax
and lutte manufactures are increased to 30 per
cent. with specific duties on collars and cuffs,
in order to promote the manufacture OF linens,
and duties on fax are raised, but on cotton
bagging there is "a reduction. There is an in
crease in the duty on cutlery while hand sew
ing needles are placed on the free list, and the
cotton, carthcn and glassware schedules are
not materially altered
The great feature Of the new bill is the rad
| ical increase in duties on agricultural prod
| uctS. Besides the important advance i'll duties
on wool, as recently stated to II cents on
clothing, - cents on combng, 1-2 cents ON
| carpet wool below II cents in cost and cents
| on such wool above that value, there are duties
substantially in accord with the expressed
wishes of farmers, on barley, hops, wheat and
buclwhcat seeds, milk, butter and its substi-
tutcs, eggs and yolks, potatoes, onions and
vegetables, animals and hides There is also
a reduction in the duty on binding Irvine This
branch of the tariff will call for special exam
nation, but the changes thus far reported APP
pear to be cminently justified by the needs Of
| agriculture.