The Helena independent., 1894-12-04
Additional Tariff Legislation.

The tariff act passed at the last session
OF the congress needs important amend
mcnts II IL is TO be executed effectively
and with certainty. In addition 10 such
necessary amendments as will not change
rates OF duty. | am still very decidedly In
favor OF putting coal and iron on the free
list So far as the sugar schedule is con-
cerned, would be glad. under existing ag-
gravatlons. to see every particle of differ
entail duty In favor OF refined sugar
stricken out OF the tarir law, H. with all
the favor now accorded the sugar refining
interest In our tariff laws, It still lan-
Eushes to the extent OF closing rennerics
and making thousands OF discharged
workmen, Il would seem 10 present hope.
less case for reasonable legislation and
whatever else Is done or omitted, | ear
nesty repeat here the recommendation
which / have made In another portion OF
this communication, that the additional
duty OF one-tenth OF a cent per pound
laid upon sugar imported from countries
paying a bounty on export be abrogated.
1t seems 10 me that exceedingly import
ant considerations point to the propriety
OF this amendment.
with the advent OF n new tariff policy
not only calculated TO relieve the con-
sumers Of our land in the cost of their
daily life. but 10 invite a better develop
ment of American thrift and create for us
closer and more profitable commercial re-
lations with the rest of the world, II fol-
lows as "A logical and imperative neces-
slty that we should at once remove the
chief II not the only. obstacle which has
so long prevented our participation In the
foreign carrying trade Of the sea, a
tariff built upon the theory that Il is well
to check imports and that home market
should bound the industry and effort OF
American producers was fltly supple
mented by a refusal to allow American
registry To vessels built abroad. though
owned and navigated by our people. thus
a Willingness TO abandon all
contest for the advantages of American
carriage.
our new tariff policy. built upon the
theory that IL is well TO encourage such
Importations as our people need. and that
our products and manufactures should
find markets in every part OF the habit
able globe is consistently supplemented
by the greatest possible liberty to our
citizens in the ownership and navigation
Of ships In which our products and manu-
factures may be transported The mill
lions now paid TO foreigners for carrying
American passengers and products across
the sea should he turned into American
hands. Ship building, which has been
protected TO strangulaton. should be re-
viyed by the prospect Of profitable em-
ployment for ships when builts and the
American sailor should be resurfNcted and
again take his place. "A sturdy and indus
lrious citizen in time OF peace, and a pa
lrlotic and safe defender Of American in
ercsts in the days OF conflict. The ancient
provision of our law denying registry to
ships built abroad and owned by Ameri-
cans appears, in the light OF present con-
litions, not only to be a failure for good
at every point. but TO be nearer relic of
than anything that exists un-
der the permission of statute of the
United States. ! earnestly recommend its
prompt repeal