Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-10

TARIFF MATTERS.
The Secretary devotes considerable space to
tariff matters After giving some statistics as
to commerce, he says: The articles now ad-
mitted free Of duty are chiefly necessaries OF
life such as sugar, tea, coffee and other articles
which are not largely produced in this country,
and do not successfully compete with our do
nestle productions.
The removal Of the duty on sugar has re-
duced its price to the consumer and this result
Is not in conflict with the doctrine of protec-
non TO homo Industries, because the limited
domestic production of sugar under the most
favorable protective rates was not sufficient to
influence the price in the home market
The report of the chief of the bureau Of sta
tistics is accompanied by tables showing that
prices tc the consumer OF manufactured arti-
cles. as a rule. have not been increased, but
have been reduced
Under the operations Of the new tariff the
customs revenue has been decreased as far a. Is
consistent with the current needs Of the gov
eminent. By the readjustment of duties in the
line of protection to American labor and Amer
lean industries the free list has been enlarged
by the addition of articles which from climatic
or other conditions are not produced prohtably
nor extensively in this country; adequate pro-
tective duties have been imposed upon articles
that come into competition with our own pro-
auctions; new industries have been established
and others stimulated thereby giving increased
employment to American labor and better con-
troll of our home market TO our own people,
and the price of nearly every article Of COM
mon consumption has been reduced to the con-
sumner.
Inasmuch as . considerable portion Of our
revenues must be derived from duties on i'm
ports, it is the part of wisdom and patriotism
to so adjust the rates as to have regard first to
ful demands Of American labor for remunera-
tive wages.
1 do not believe that any considerable num-
Der of the people desire to see our manufac-
turing industries destroyed or wages reduced
to the European basis, which would be the
inevitable result OF u reduction of duties with
a view to revenue only.
A comparison OF the prices Of goods i'm
ported respectively under the old and new
tariffs where rates have been increased will
demonstrate that the tariff is q tax upon the
foreign competitor in our markets in the sale
OF such articles as are extensively produced
here. and that the duties are in fact thus de-
Quoted from the foreign market value. and are
paid by the foreigner as a tax for the privilege
OF selling his goods here at prices fixed by our
own people competing among themselves in
their own market.
THE CUSTOMS SERVICE.
The Secretary renews the recommendations
made by his predecessor concerning amend
ments to the laws relating to the administra-
ton of the customs service. He quotes them
at length and says:
adequate means for the efficient collection and
protection of the customs revenue, which is
required to defray considerable part OF the
expenses of the government The changes of
twenty years, since the present provision for
defraying the expenses Of collecting the revenue
from customs was made, necessitate new legis-
lation ON the subject.
Ike care of foreign merchandise at the
worlds Columbian exposition will require a
large temporary customs force, which cannot
be provided without an additional appropri-
ton for that purpose. 1t is estimated that not
less than $780, will be required to enable
the department to employ the officers neces-
sary to maintain the custody of dutiable ex-
hibits and examine and appraise and collect
duties upon such articles as may be withdrawn
for consumption.
there VIII be undoubtedly demand for the
privilege OF selling articles for delivery during
the exposition. This will require legislative au-
thority, and 1 therefore suggest the enactment
OF law to authorize such sales under regula-
tions to be prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury, as was done during the centennial
exposition at Philadelphia III accordance with
the provisions or the act of July 20. 1876.
The internal revenue receipts for the past
year show an increase Of 80, 440, 719. 40, mainly
from fermented liquors. The receipts from
manufactured tobacco decreased 81, 1872 72O.09
o S.OO
titled spirits The cost of collection for the
past year was clio, 544.69 greater than the
year before. 1t Is estimated that the receipts
from all sources Of internal revenue for tie
current fiscal year will aggregate sl50, OC0,0O0.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
The deplorable state of the American ship
ping is touched upon and table is given show
ing the gradual loss of trade to this country
since 1857. in which year 70.5 per cent of the
imports and exports passing American ports
was carried III American vessels. The next
year there was a slight increase to 1871 but
since then there has been a steady fall until in
1891 but II e6 per cent is how carried in Amer
lean ships. The Secretary says:
The demand for ships of war will give us
ship wards competent tor building commercial
vessels to any extent, and there is no good
reason why ships should not LIE built here and
transport under American ownership a fair
share VI our exports and imports. Great in
dustries like ship building aud tine navigation
of ships should not be surrendered BY US to
other nations without a determined struggle to
retain them. No backward step should be
taken in the efforts now being made to restore
the American flag to the high seas.
AS TO IMMIGRATION.
As to immigration the Secretary says: Pur-
suant to the evident intent of Congress as ex-
pressed in the immigration act of March 8,
1871. ali COutIdCts Will stdtt DOdruS nave been
abrogated, and the immigration business at all
ports of the United States Is now controlled and
managed directly by the Treasury Depar tment
through a commissioner of immigration sta
toned at each principal port of entry, assisted
by suitable number OF inspection officers
The change proves to be beneficial one Civ
ing to the service uniformity. method and
greater efficiency. Along the international
boundaries the enforcement of the immigration
laws Is Entrusted to immigration inspectors,
who are under the general direction of the col
lectors OF customs in the several districts where
they are stationed. In the interest both of
economy and efficiency, these immigrant in
spectors also perform duty, when necessary, Ill
the enforcement OF the customs laws and the
Chinese exclusion act.
The total arrival of immigrants in the United
States from foreign countries. other than Brit
ish North America and Mexico, during the
year ending June 80, 1891, amounted to $50, 3l9.
against AS, 302 during the preceding fiscal year.
an increase of l0o.Ol7.
The main increase was from Russia and
Poland, amounting to2S, 252, and the next from
Italy, 2i.052.
The main decrease was from England 8. 40.
The immigrants came from the following
places: England, $500; Ireland, IS, 700: Scot
land, II. $50; Great Britain (other), 4iS, Ger
many, lib. 554 Italy, rs, 055; Russia and Poland.
Ii.923; Austria-Hungary 7l,042; Sweden and
Norway. i9.i4S; other Europe, 1862; China.
1856; all other countries, ID. 1873: total $50 3l9
RESTRICTIVE LAWS NECESSARY.
The Secretary says: This extraordinary and