The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-20

abroad in competition with the cheap labor
OF India and Egypt, believing that 1t was
sufficient for the private tax gatherer o
follow the farmers in the markets Of his
own country, and not pursue him into all
the markets Of the world. Cotton bagging
can be used but once. and we have thought
it but just to extend the drawback system
TO such bagging made OF jute butts, which
used upon our exported cotton, a privilege
which the exporter of wheat can readily
now enjoy, coupled with the further advan-
tage that the same bags may be used for
successive expectations of grain.
In the schedule of spirits, wines and other
beverages the changes made are slight,
and with the view TO production of in
creased revenue from these very proper
sources of revenue taxation.
REVENUES CUT TO THE BONE.
1t may be said that we are not justified
in making so large a reduction in revenue
at a time when government receipts and
expenditures can no longer be balanced,
and when some new sources of temporary
revenue must be sought for. We have been
compelled to retain some articles on the
dutiable list and to leave some duties higher
than we desired, because of the present ne
cessity of the treasury, but we have not
felt that any temporary shrinkage of reve-
nue. should deter us from carrying out. as
faithfully and as effectually as we could,
the instructions given by the American peo-
pie when this Congress was put into power.
our own experience and that of other coun-
tries has shown that decrease or tariff du-
ties Immediately operates such an enlarge
ment of of production and con-
sumption, as rapidly to make up any APP
parent loss of revenue threatened by those
reductions.
A most Important change in the bill pro-
posed from the present law will be found
in the general substitution of ad valorem
for specific duties. This must always be
the characteristic of the revenue tariff
levied upon a large range of articles, es-
pecially when they include the plain neces-
II is the nurnose of the present bill to
repeal in toto Section 8 of the tariff act of
Oct. 1, 1890, commonly but most erroneously
called the reciprocity provision Tnat act
hides on the free list, but authorized the
President. should he be satisfied
that the government Of any other her
or other. products of the United
unequal and unreasonable, to suspend the
provision under which these articles were
admitted into this country free. This sec
ton, which has brought no appreclable al
vantage to American exporters. is not, In
intention or effect, a provision for rec
iprocity, but for retaliation.
The majority report is signed by the
Democratic members Of the committee. The
Republican members will hereafter sub
NIT a minority report, attacking the Will
son bill and majority report.
The Senate Wants Information.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE Senate
committee on finance. at it's meeting this
morning, decided upon the form of circular
letter TO be sent to merchants. manu-
ufacturers and producers by the committee
for the purpose of securing ana
opinions as a guide TO the committee in
passing upon the merits OF the tarflr Dill
when it shall reach the Senate; II is uno
any hearings until after the House Shall
nave passed the Wilson BILL