Fair play., 1894-05-12
AN EQUITABLE MEASURE.
eer tary Carlisle sets Forth the Iarih
rol;cH Of tho Remocrate.

fOlsCy OF tn0
Secretary Of the Treasury Carlisle
has authorized the following statement
in reply TO an inquiry nv an Associated
Press reporter as to whether 1t were
true that he had taken part in the con-
fereuces which it has been SAID were
being held for the purpose OF agreeing
upon certain amendments 10 the pend
ing tariff bill:
~ have had no conference upon this
subject with any body except the demo
cratic mem bers Of the senate commit
tee on finance. and therefore cannot
state of my own personal knowledge
what has occurred in any other con-
ferences tha, NAV have taken place
II is true that an effort is being made
10 agree upon such changes in the pend
ing bill as will secure for it the united
and active support Of all the democrats
in the senate The indications now
are that this support can and Will be
secured without making radical changes
in the rates of duty or material a!tera-
tons in the form or structure OF the
taaitf schedules as they were passed 10y
the house of representatives. In fact,
| regard most OF the changes now I'M
der consideration as quite unimpor-
tant, while the remainder are not OF
such character as substantially to
affect the merits OF the bill as meas
ure for the reformation OF the worst
features OF existing legislation upon
this subject. DO net think We ought
to permit differences OF opinion upon
mere matters of detail, or in regard to
small increases or reduction OF rates III
the bill as it now stands, to prevent the
redemption of our pledges to the peo-
pie. and therefore l am in favor of Sc
curing. if possible without any surren-
der Of principle, and withou; abandon
ing any part OF the democratic policy
OF tariff reform such mutual conces.
sions upon these points as will consoli-
date our strength and pass the measure
at the earliest possible date So faI us
the proposed amendments relate to
duties upon important articles of con.
sumption now subject to duty. .he
rates suggested as the basis for adjust
ment are all much lower than III the
present law. while there are only 4 few
Instances in which they are higher than
in the bill reported by the senate com
mittee.
by far the most important single
article upon which a Change of duty is
now proposed is sugar, raw and re,
fined, and it IS strenuously con;ended
by persons interested in the production
of this article that the specific rates al
ready in the bill as reported 10y the
senate committee are higher than the
ad valorem rates which it Is now pro-
posed TO insert Whether this is cor
rect or not depends on the price of
sugar in the foreign markets from
time to time. and therefore it is not
possible to make an exactly accurate
statement upon the subject; but | am
satisfied that the difference, if any, be-
tween the specific rates heretofore pro-
posed and the ad valorein rate now un-
der consideration is SO small as TO be of
no material consequence either way.
At any rate, ! think that differences of
opinion upon this ques ton, which have
always been troublesome and vex-
atious, should not be allowed to defeat
The passage of the tariff bill, and be-
lievc this is the opinion Of all intelli-
gent and sincere advocates Of revenue
reform.
THE repeal Of the Mckinley act and
the substitution OF more just and
equitable measure in its place are OF
vital Importance to the prosperity of
the country, and the people have a
right to expect that all who are really
in favor Of II reduction Of tariff taxa
ton will make such reasonable conces-
sions to each others views as will GER
tainly accomplish these results. If the
country is to wait for tariff reform
until measure is devised which is en-
tirely acceptable in all its parts tG
every senator and representative whose
vote is Necessary to pass it our prom
ises will never be kept"