The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-12-01
THE NEW TARIFF BILL.

The new Tariff bill to be presented
to Congress, which will meet on Mon
day next, is published. 1t is distinct
ly on the line of tariff reform as laid
down in the Democratic platform,
and in accordance with the expressed
views of President Cleveland. 1t is
not a radical measure, calculated to
break down American industries, but
it is aimed at the favoritism of the
Mckinley tariff, under which special
duties were levied for certain manu-
facturers to give them a monopoly of
the home market, in return for liber-
al contributions to the Republican
campaign fund Its effect will be to
cheaper the necessaries of life, at the
same time affording incidental pro-
lection to American manufacturers
In short, it is tariff for revenue, not
for protection for projections sake
alone.
One distinguishing feature of the
reform bill. as contrasted with the
Mckinley bill, is that duties are levied
ad valorem, that is on the value of
the articles imported, and not by the
yard or pound. The latter has been
found to be an unfair method, taxing
oftentimes cheaper grades OF goods
used by the people generally, as heavi-
" as the more costly goods used by
the wealthy classes. The bill is to
take effect on the 4th of March next.
The reduction of the revenues of
the government, under this bill, on
the basis of the importations of 1899,
is estimated at fifty-five million dol
lars, but it is believed that the stimu-
lus it will afford to importations will
make up in great measure for the de-
ficiency. The remainder of the sum
needed for the support of the govern
ment will probably be derived from
an increased tax on spirits and an as
sessment on legacies, rents and corpo-
rate incomes over a certain amount.
A large number of articles used by
American manufacturers are placed
on the free list, the effect of which, it
is hoped, will be to stimulate various
industries and enable our manufacture
ers to sell their goods cheaper. For
instance, sulphuric acid, which is
largely used in the manufacture OF
fertilizers, is to come in free of duty.
The duty on castor oil is reduced
from IS to 35 cents Ter gallon, and the
duty on linseed OIL which was secret
ly raised to 80 cents by the conference
committee on the Mckinley bill, after
each house had openly voted for a
lower duty, is put at Is cents gal
lon. Pig lead being reduced from 2
to cent a pound, lead paints are cor,
respondingly reduced.
In the pottery schedule substantial
reductions are made. Plain white
ware is dropped from the high sched-
ule in which it mysteriously crowded
itself Decorated ware is reduced
from 60 to As per cent; undecorated,
from 90 to 40.
In common window-glass, where
close combinations have kept up the
prices to consumers under the shelter
of duties averaging 100 per cent, a re-
ductfon of more than one-half has
been made in all the larger Sizes
There is no doubt that these rates will
permit very healthy growth of the
industry here.
In plate glass reductions are made,
the largest sizes from 80 cents to 30
cents per square foot. Of silvered,
from 60 to 35 cents.
Tin plates are reduced to 40 per
cent, a little more than one-half OF
the Mckinley rate. This duty is suf-
ficient to foster any American tin
mills, and will be regarded as a boon
to packers.
The duty on sugar is to be reduced
one-half and the bounty paid to Ameri-
can sugar growers is to be gradually
abolished. 1t is now one cent per
pound. The reduction will be one
eighth of cent each year,
The present taxes of 50 and $2.75 a
pound on certain kinds of tobacco
wrappers is reduced about one-half.
This will enable many small establish
ments, which were blotted out by the
Mckinley tariff, tie resume operations.
Wool is placed ON the free list. The
hope INDUCED that heavy tariff on
imported wool would stimulate the
sheep industry and benefit farmers
has been found delusive. Under its
operations the price of wool declined,
from the fact that certain proper
ton of foreign wool is necessary in
working up the coarser American
product, and the high price of foreign
wool restricted the use of our own
wool and beat down the price.
Coal and ores are also placed on the
free list. With our immense deposits
of ores, our labor-saving appliances
and the skill and industry of our
workmen there is 10 apparent reason
why we can not compete with any
country in the manufacture of iron, for
instance, and at the same time bene-
fit our own people by lower prices on
iron manufactures.
Altogether, the bill is strictly on the
lines of tariff reform in the interest
of the masses and not of certain class
es. A reduction in revenue, if il eases
the burdens of living on the farmer,
mechanic, laboring or professional
man, will be blessing, although
greater economy in government ex-
penditures may be made necessary
thereby.
As matter of course the bill is cri-
ticized and ridiculed by the protected
manufacturers and their friends, who
have been the sole beneficiaries of the
Mckinley bill, but it is the peoples
bill and if adopted substantially as
the committee has prepared it, better
times will come for all the people,
Hon. William l.. Wilson, chairman
of the Committee which prepared the
bill, in explaining its provisions,
says:
sThe boldest innovation of the bill is its
large free list of raw materials. Taxes upon
production are double wrongs. They gather
and cumulate on the consumer of the finished
product. They hurt labor by narrowing the
market for what it produces. Coal and iron
are the foundations of modern industry. Ma
terial progress is measured by the amount of