New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-22
a second cron - '"NS -
NEW TARIFF LEGISLATION.
SMALL PROSPECTS FOR ANY THIS YEAR.
DOUBTS AS TO THE PROBABILITY OF ENACHNG
AN INCOME TAX OR IMPOSING TEA.
COFFEE AND SUGAR DUTIES.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBCNE.

COFFEE AND SUGAR DUTIES.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNE1
Washington. April 21.-The prospect Of tarlh legs
| ation within the coming year does not at present
appear 10 he bright. Secretary Carlisle mas deem
able TO devote considerable time to listening TO oFai
suggestions from David A. Wells Thomas Il. slear-
man and other eminent Free-Traders who are anxious
to assist him in the preparation Of Tariff Dill 10
be submitted 10 the Ways and Means Committee OF
| the LIIId Congress, but ne has not yet found an
opportunity TO read. much less to study and si thc
enormous miss Of written and printed material re-
ating TO that subject which has been pouring into
the Treasury Department: in steady stream during
the last six weeks.
The draft Of n bill prepared by the committee OF
the Reform Glib OF NcwYors, II is said, did not
strike Mr.. Carlisle dumb with admiration, although
one OF its chicf fea.urcs-the substitution OF az
valorem for specific duties-is which he strongly
favorS, and II IS understood that no has received
| numerous communications from leading Democrats.
| including "tarir reformers'' well as sugar
coated PrOteconists," in various parts of the coin-
try severely ctciSing and strongly protesting against
different provisions OF that extraordinary production
II one fairly Judge from the expressions or
Democrats In Washington. many OF them arcaov
| realize that the "condion" which cOnfrOnis the
Administration Is difficult and serious
than that which existed when Mr.. Cleveland sent his
freeradc message to Congress In December, 1857,
and that It will be necessary TO exercise the utmost
caution In dealing with the subject of tariff legislation
Nearly all Of them with Colonel Morrison that
the great problem will be TO collect sufficient revenue
| to meet the appropriations made by Democratic
| Congress to carry on the Government; and while
| many Of them favor tax on incomes, it is by no
means certain. If indeed II be probable, that
measure for that purpose could be enacted at the
| next session, with the election Of new Congress
| impending.
| Neither does It seem probable, II one may Judge
| from current expressions OF Democratic opinion In
Washington that duties will be imposed on coffee
| tea and sugar, as some Democrats have suggested
Coffee and tea admitted free of duty under the
Walker tariff Of lS46 and the Tariff act Of s57 and the
war duties were abolished In 1872. The specific duties
| Of IL cents a pound on raw sugar and 6 cents
refined sugar. imposed by the Tariff act OF 1842. were
replaced by uniform duty OF 80 cent ad valorem
BY the act OF 1916. which rate reduced to -
cent in 1857. After years experience with free
sugar under the present law, Congress will probably
hesitate long time before reimposing duty that
necessary Of life With the present rates OF duty
there been a large increase in the imports OF
dutiabe well of free merchandise. Tie Increase
In the value Of duiabe merchandise imported during
March, 1893. as compared with the corresponding
month Of 1892. nearly S54OO 900, and the In
crease for the year ended March 3D. 1902. exceeded
S34 900, 900.
He would be a wise statesman indeed who should be
able to say how far present rates OF duty should be
reduced In order TO increase the revenues from Gus
toms, II he should not pay any regard TO The
effects OF heavy increase OF foreign Imports upon
domestic industries, and the consequent; dimnution
OF the purchasing power Of American consumers.
such a problem would probably stagger even the late
chairman Of the Ways and Means Committee or the
present chairman OF the ComInittee on Finance They
as well rs thoughtful and considerate Demo
Gratis however probably realize that the CONDITION
which confronts the country is serious one and
one which Will not permit any rash experiments In
revenue legislation.