Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-25
PLUMBERS ABOUT THE TARIFF.

THE DISPATCH has devoted considera'
BILE space to correcting wild statements OF
fact INDUCED in by some of its Democratic
cotemporaries on the subject of the sugar
duties. When its protectionist cotempora-
ries make equally wild assertions it is no
more than fair to point out the errors and
the necessity of greater accuracy. A re-
markable example of that sort is presented
by the Chicago Inter Ocean which, In
answer to an inquiry about the new duties
on firearms, pocket cutlery, pearl buttons
and sugar, made the following assertions In
recent issue:
Firearms of common quality retain the old
rate of duty.
Breech-loaders and superior grades are
lowered.
Sugar is greatly reduced, all under No. IL
Dutch standard being nou admitted free.
Pearl buttons are not specifically mentioned
in either the old or new tariff; presumably they
pay duty as manufactures OF ivory, vegetable
ivory, or mother-of-pe pearl" which is 40 per cent
by new tariff against 35 by old. The cutlery list
is too long for analysis.
Here are five different statements with re-
gard to the tariff. none of them of such i'm
portance as the Democratic misrepresenta-
tions on the effect of the sugar duties. But
the need for accuracy in this connection. is
illustrated that of these five statements by
leading protectlonist journal, on matters
which can be determined by a cursory e1-
animation of the tariff bill, the only one
that is correct is that "the cutlery list is too
long for analysis" which certainly fails to
furnish specific information.
1t is hard to believe that the Inter Ocean
would make intentional misstatements. 1t
is none the less an important fact that on
the entire list of double and single-barreled
shot guns and revolvers, in addition
to the old ad valofem duty of
35 per cent specific duties of from
forty cents to six dollars each are imposed
on all grades from the cheapest to the high
est priced, the only firearms left subject to
the old duty of % per cent being
'tmuskets and sporting rifles" In sugar the
verbal error is made of stating that it is re-
duced when the reduction does not take
place, and the further error is made of put
ing the limit of free sugar at No. 13 instead
NO. H. % lar lrOm pearl UuttOns uOt
being specifically mentioned. they are
mentioned in section No. 429, where, in ad-
dition to the old ad valorem duty, specific
duty of ''two cents per line button measure
of one-fortieth OF an inch per gross" is i'm
posed, while 'ivory, vegetable ivory, bone
and horn buttons" are made subject to a
fifty per cent duty.
Either blunder by itself would be slight
matter; but the habit of making hap
hazard statements about the tariff could
hardly receive more striking illustration
than this collection of errors. No discus
sion of tariff matters can be of any profit
unless it is based upon accurate statements.
All errors of statement with regard to the
duties, whether they are unintentional or the
reverse, can only mislead and falsify the
public Judgment. When we find protec
Zionist organ on one side committing the
errors above noted, and the Democratic
press on the other making the no less radi-
cal misstatement that the margin of protec-
tion to the sugar refners has been increased,
the need for depending less upon the imagi-
nation and more upon the documents for
statements of fact is made very manifest.