Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-12-06
NOW FOR FREE TRADE.
A Democratic Cut at the Root of
American Protection.
An Act Upon the Lines Of the Walker
Tariff Of 1S46.

Aui III VI lCfOs
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The new
Democratic Tariff bill was given to
the public today by the majority of
the Ways and Means Committee, to
gether with Defense of that measure,
prepared by the chairman, Mr.. Wilson.
The internal revenue feature of the
measure was omitted, and the reason
given for this was truthfully stated by
Mr.. Bynum of Indiana, who said:
THAT part of the tariff bill reported
today is for the reduction Of taxation.
The portion by which we propose to
raise revenue will be furnished later"
This is an innocent confession on the
part of a Democratic member of the
committee, the significance of which
will be appreciated. The separation of
the revenue feature from the socalled
bill to reduce taxation shows the delib-
crate purpose of the committee to avoid
the fulfillment of the Democratic prin-
ciple, declared in the Chicago platform,
OF imposing tariff for revenue only"
The tariff schedules made public to-
day can not really be compared to any
law which has preceded the Mckinley
tarf, but, as whole, it is drawn on
the lines of the Walker tariff if we ex
cept that it is more radical In its pro-
visions. In fact, large number of the
rates given in the proposed measure
| are exactly the same as laid down in
the Walker tariff. In construction it
approaches the tariff which went into
effect in March, 1857, with the vicious
ad valorem system throughout, except
that it does not provide sliding scale
for import duties.
The majority of the Ways and Means
Committee were evidently so determin-
ed on destroying protection and slash.
ing at protected industries that they
failed to protect the American work
ingman against the competition of
prison made goods from abroad. The
Mckinley act made special feature of
this principle of protection, which the
Democrats do not propose to continue.
Taking the schedules in their order,
beginning with chemicals, it will be
seen that the general radicals reduction
will seriously effect the producers of
extracts in all Eastern States. A no.
ticeable illustration is that of pepper
mint, which is reduced from 80 cents
per pound to % per cent. ad valorem.
This cut will be felt by the producers
in the East and as far West as Michigan.
The United States is the largest manu-
iacturer in the world of proprietary
medicines and fancy toilet articles.
The protection afforded, therefore, un-
der the Mckinley bill, in recognition
OF the employment given to vast army
OF people, has been reduced materially.
The manufacturers of brick, not
glazed, have suffered from the competi-
ton of imports under the Mckinley
rate of S1.25 per ton, from England,
most of these shipments being received
at Boston. The proposed bill reduces
the tariff to 80 per cent. ad valorem, ON
account of which the brick and tile
manufacturers may expect sharper
competition from foreign importations.
The higher grades in tiles, plain and
encaustic, are reduced from As to 25
per cent This will enable multi mil
lionaires and those using glazed bricks
and fancy tiles to decorate their man
sions and stables at a much cheaper
rate than heretofore.
The Southern contingent received q
concession in the matter of clay used
in the manufacture of pottery. Kaolin,
which at one time was intended for the
free list, has been granted duty of so
per ton. 1t is very significant feature
of the Wilson bill that clays, or earths,
which are unmistakable raw materials,
the same as iron ore or any other pro-
duct, should be left dutisble. Common
brown earthenwaIe and common stone.
ware have reduction of 20 to 25 per
cent. The reduction is not 80 severe in
the higher grades known to the trade
as c c ware, or the white granite ware.
The latter is cut from 55 per cent. to 80
per cent. ad valorem. which will ser.
iously affect the potteries at Trenton,
Baltimore, East Liverpool and Tiffin,
Ohio, and some in New York State.
. In the higher grades of chinaware