The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-30
THE TARIFF TINKERS.
Carlisle Says Democrats Are
Trying to Get Together.
PLEDGES MUST De REDEEMED.
Csoeeossoas - Re Naae Here sDA YAsRo,
without ssersaeiae Fri.espiss-IAs
Pregrsnns n Congress-

WAsHrssrcs CRY. April 9.-Secretary
Carlisle has authorised the following
ssassment in reply to IN inquiry by IN
Associated Press reporter as so whether IL
sas true that he bad taken part in the con-
iersnces which IL has bsen said were being
held fos the rarposs Of agreeing upon
certain anendments 70 the pending tariff
bill:
II have had no conference upon this
subject with nybody except the Demo
cratic members Of the senate committee on
finance, and therefore cannot state Of my
own personal knowledge what has oc-
Cured IA any Of these conferences that
may have taken place. /: 10 true an
effort IL being made to agree upon such
changes in the pending bill as will
secure for II the united and active support
81 ali the Democrats in the senate. The
indications now are that this support can
and viii be secured without making radi-
Cal changes in the rates of duty or material
alterations In the form Of structure of the
tarin schedules ~ they we're passed BY
the house. In fact, regard most Of
the changes now under consideration
- unimportant while the remainder
are not Of such . character ~ suhstan-
TALLY to affect the merits OF the bill 40 .
measure for the reformation of the worst
features OF the existing legislation upon
this subject do not think We ought TO
permit differences Of opinion upon mere
matters OF detail or in regard to
small increass or reduction of
rates in the bill a. IL now
stands 70 prevent REDEEM ption Of our
pledges to the people, and therefore am
In favor Of securing, il possible without
any surrender Of principle and without
abandonment Of any part Of the Demo
cratic policy Of tariff reform, such
mutual concessions upon these points
~ will consolidate our strength
and pass the measure IT the earliest
possible date. So far As the proposed
amendments relate to duties on important
articles Of consumption now subject to
duty, the rates suggested Is the basis for
adjustment are much lower than IN the
present Law, while there are only few in
stances In which they are higher than In
the bill reported by the senate committee.
BY far the most important single arti-
Gle upon which change of duty is now
proposed Is sugar. raw and refined, and it
In sirenuously coniended By persons inter-
bill as reported by the senate
committee are higher than the
cd valorem rates which it is now
proposed to insert. Whether this 10 cor
rect or not depends on the price OF sugar
In the foreign markets from time to time.
and therefore 1t 10 not possible to make
an exactly accurate statement upon the
subject. but / am satisfied that
the difference, If any, between the
specific rates heretofore proposed
and the ad vaiorem rate now under
consideration Is so small a. to be of no
material consequences either way. At anv
rate, think differences Of opinion upon
this question. which has always been
nd
be allowed TO defeat the passage of the
tariff bill. and believe this is the opinion
OF all Intelligent and sincere advocates of
revenue reform.
THE repeal Of the Mckinley act and the
substitution Of more equitable measure
- OF vital importance to the prosperity of
the country. and the people have right
70 expect thas al who are really in favor
OF reduction OF tariff taxation will
make such reasonable concessions
TO each Others views as will
certainly accomplish these results.
II the country 10 to wait for tariff reform
until measure is devised which IL en-.
tirciy acceptable in all its parts TO every
senator and representative whose vote is
necessary to pass 1t, our promises will
"Ars any changes proposed in that part
OF the bill which relates to the income
taxi" was asked.
ut 10 well known" said the secretary.
shat there has from tho beginning been
considerable opposition TO the proposed
income tax. even among those who have
voted for and supported the bill with
that feature in it. Much Of this oppo-
sition has been based upon the provisions
Of the bill which prescribe the methods
OF ascertaining and collecting the
tax. some Of which are alleged to DO arbi.
trary and inquisitorial. In my opinion
many of these Objectionable provisions
ought TO be and can be safely omitted from
the bill, and other Changes can be made
which the advocates of an income tax can
consistently accept and which will at the
same time remove the principal objections
Of its opponents and secure their support
of the bill"