The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-18
TARIFF BILL ERRORS.
Importance of Perfect Punctuation
Growing More Apparent.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE discovery
of errors in the new tariff bill, which may
result in suits TO be settled only in the
courts brings out the Importance Of pune
tuation in legislation. 1t will be remem-
bered that there was error in the con-
fectionery schedule of the Mckinley law
which made a great deal of difference in
the amount of duty to be paid on candies.
This was due to the misplacing of a paren-
thesis. In the bill now before the Presi-
dent the fact that a semi-colon appears
where it was intended that a colon should
be placed has already caused quite a con-
troversy as TO whether diamonds shall be
admitted free or will have TO pay a duty of
% per cent. for cut and 10 per cent. for
cut stones In the same bill and in the free
list there is a semi-colon after the word
seeds where there should be a colon and
if the diamonds are admitted free under
this error, then everything that could come
under the head of seeds will also be adj
mitted free when it is intended that only a
very few varieties named in the bill shall
be included. The assertion is made that the
construction placed upon the law by the
treasury officials will not govern the ad-
mission of these articles, but that the in
tent of the law will govern, but the courts
probably will be called upon TO construe
the law, and the construction of the courts
will stand after a test case has been made
ana decided. 1t Is also SAID tndI cOrrec-
tions can easily be made, but ii was found
to be quite a difficult case TO get punctua-
ton errors corrected when the Mckinley
law was to be changed in this particular.
and it is quite probable that there will be
considerable difficulty encountered in this
case. The proposition to make these
changes are very likely to be loaded down
by other tariff amendments There are
Senators who will make effort to put a
free-sugar bill on every proposition that
comes up to amend the tariff and even to
rhAca lNrI rsfara and nlC
upon the proposition to correct the mistake
which will allow alcohol to be used in the
arts free admission. 1t will be found TO be
very difficult to correct any of the errors
in the bill.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue Miller
was at the Capitol to-day in consultation
with members of the Senate finance COM
mittee concerning the bill which passed the
House yesterday repeating that portion of
the tariff bill which permits the use of al
cohol in the arts and manufactures free of
taxation Mr.. Miller said after these inter
views that he thought the finance commit
tee would take up the bill promptly after
being properly organized. The question has
been raised as to whether this provision for
free alcohol used in the arts would in any
way affect the features of the bill in regard
to the general tax on spirits, but Mr. Miller
expresses the opinion that it will not.
BY direction of. the Secretary of the
Treasury three thousand copies of the new
taF D branch how prnng oce to- be ds
tributed among customs officials. In the
printed parchment, original, signed by the
Vice President and Speaker Crisp, many of
the errors in paragraphing and numbering
left in the bill as it passed both houses have
been corrected, and with the erasures elm
mated the bill presents a very creditable
appearance. Careful comparisons with the
original bill are being made, and the copy
is sent TO the printer as fast as possible.
1t is hoped to have the three thousan
copies ready for mailing by tomorrow
evening In case this is accomplished, it is
expected copies will reach San Francisco
and Portland, Ore, the furthest points, by
the time the bill becomes a law. In that
event all complications will be avoided and
collectors will be enabled assess duties
as accurately as though they had the GER
titled copies, which will be furnished later.