Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-21

soma Knowicuge or now iaD1rfuus anu p.tns-
taking their Efforts could ever hope 10 possess
| We have not forgotten that we represent the
people who are many as well as the protected
interests who are the few, and while we have
dealt with the latter In no spirit OF unfrlendli.
ness W. have feet that II was our duty and not
| their privilege 10 make the tariff schedules
Those who concede the rights OF benenciaries
TO NJ their bounties must necessarily commit
TO them the framing and wording OF laws by
which these bountes are secured 10 them. A
committee Of congress thus becomes merely
the amanuonsis Of the protected interests II
has been shown so clearly and so often in the
debates Of this house that nearly every i'm.
portant schedule Of the existing law was made
In its very words and figures by representa-
ives Of the interests It was framed to protect
that II is unnecessary In our report TO present
the record proof OF this fact but It may not be-
amlss TO cite further evidence to show that this
Is not only the necessary rule, but the open and
avowod method Of framing protective tariffs
When the senate substitutes for the bill
passed by this house In tho fiftleth congress-
which substitute is o real basis for the existing
laW-was being prepared, Senator Hoar. OF
Massachusetts, appeared before tho senate sub
committee and used this language Instead
OF coming before your subcommittee for
formal hearing on our Massachusetts indus
tries thought the best way was to carefully
prepare table Of all the various industries
perhaps some sixty or seventy in all and ask
Brother Aldrich 10 go over them with me
ana ascertain what the people wanted in each
case and II there were any cases which the
committee had not alreads done exactly what
the petitioners desired. or had not inhexibly
passed upon the question could have hear.
ing before you, but ind In every instance the
action OF the committee as Me Aldrioh thinks
II likely TO be, Is entirely satisfactory TO the
Interests represent with the exception Of one
or two, and the papers in regard to these cases
1 have handed TO Mr. Aidrich
No stronger indictment Of the whole protect.
i've system could be made than that which IL
uneonsciously carried In these words Of a
United States senator that laws which Impose
lasss oH the gteat una Of tho people must DO
written In Language so technical that the most
Intelligent citizen cannot fully understand
them, and that rates OF taxation should he die.
tated by the selhshness and greed Of those who
are to receive the taxes
We have believed that the nrst step towards
that reform Of the tarin should be release Of
taxes on the materials Of industry. There can
DO no substantial and beneficial reduction
upon the necessary clothing and other com.
t1ris OF the American people, nor any substan.
uil and beneficial enlargement OF the field
OF American labor 20 long as we tax materials
anu processes o. production Every ~ upon
the producer falls with in"-,s, ,.o I'm ~,
consumer s.y ry tax on The producor 'I IN
tnis country IL protection to his competitors
In all other countries and 80 narrow is his
market as TO limit the number and lessen the
wages OF those to whom he can give employ.
mont Every cheapening in the cost or enlarge.
ment Of the supply OF his raw materials, while
primarily inuring to tho benefit OF the manu-.
hcturer himself passes under free competition
INN dately
IL may be said that we are not Justified in
making so large reduction in revenue at n
time when government receipts and expendi.
lures can no longer DO balanced and when some
nf
be sought for. We have been compelled
to retain some articles upon the dutiablc
list ami TO leave some duties higher
than we desired because OF the present necessl.
~ OF the treasury, but we have not felt that
any temporary shrinkage OF revenue should de
ter us from carrying out as etIectually as We
could the instructions given by the American
people when congress was put into power
our osn experience and that OF other coun.
tries has shown that the decrease Of taf in
duties immediately operates for such an en-.
largcmcnt Of commerce. OF production and con.
sumption as rapidly 10 make up any apparent
loss Of revenue threatened by hose reductions
most important change n the bill proposed
from the present law will be found In the gen.
cril substitution OF nd valorem for specific
duties. This must ALWAYS DO the characters
tic OF the revenue tariff levied upon a large
range OF articles, especially when they include
the plain necessarles OF life
II Is the purpose OF the present bill TO repeal
In toto section Of the tariff act OF October 1,
"a, commonly but most enormously called its
reciprocity prov ion That act placed sugar,
m'lnsscs, coff'c, tea AL hides on the free list
b 1 authorized the president, should he be sat
tshed that the government OF any other
country producing such articles Imposed
duties upon The agricultural or other products
OF the United States which he might deem re-
ciIroct NY unequal ami unreasonable. to su..
pcud the provision under which these articles
49, 70 admitted into this country free This
section has brought no appreclable advantage
to American exporters and It is not in inten.
tlun or eject provision for reciprocity but for
"a talintI,u