The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-05
FLAWS In THE TARIFF LAW.
10 Correct Them Through the Medium Of
the Urgent Deficiency Bill.
THR COMPLICATIONS WITH GERMANY,



,lon of some Of the Democratic managers
in the Senate leads 10 the conclusion that
an effort may be made to patch up
truce OF some sort that will permit
through the medium Of the urgent de-
nciency bill. a correction OF the various
errors now in the tariff law. and which
would have been corrected had the con-
ferrees finished their labors on the bill
before IT was accepted by the House as
1t loft the Senate.
TO devise some means TO accomplish
this result was the object of the con-
ference held yesterday in the room OF
the Committee on Appropriations, and
Immediately after it was over one OF
the senators who attended that confer
cuce was seen in consultation with one
or two Republicans. The object OF this
talk was to ascertain II the Republicans
were still determined that nothing should
be done. But little announcement was
received by this Democratic senator. ana
matters viii now be held in allegiance
until the meeting Of the Finance Commit
tee next Tuesday. Meanwhile Mr.. Cock
rell will probably refrain from reporting
the urgent deficiency bill, i'm the hope
hat some good may come from discus
sion OF the situation at this meeting,
where the leaders on both sides are so
largely represented.
THE REPUBLICANS DETERMINED.
The Republicans are determined TO
make vigorous opposition 10 any change
in the text of the present law, save~rrffder
conditions that the Democrats cannot ar
ford TO accept If the Democrats Will
agree thai certain Increases shall be
made in the tarin rates in the schedules
that were. the Republicans assert
unduly reduced. then the Republicans
will permit the correction 81 evils OF
which complaint is made, and remedy
for which the Treasury Department IN
sists shall be provided. Among these IS
the free alcohol clause, which has prac-
tically been abrogatod by the failure to
provide Treasury regulations for it's en-
forcemcnt. and by the failure OF an appro-
priation 10 carry such regulations INTO
effect. other errors. that becloud the
meaning Of the law, also need attention,
but above all there is an earnest appeal
to Congress to find some way TO remove
the discriminating duty levied against
refined sugar exported TO this country
from those countries that pay export
bounty
THE TANGIE WITH GERMANY.
In this case the only country hard hit
Is Germany, and the law has got the
United States into "A diplomatic tangle
with that country, from wh-th the Sec
Ietary of State appears 10 see no way out
save by the repeal of the obnoxious pro-
vision This one item, more than ali
others combined. Is causing the Admins
tration trouble. and the pressure that has
been brought 10 bear upon the state De-
pariment has been. in measure at least,
transferred TO the Senate, and IL is SAID
ly no less person than the German am
hassador himself Baron Won sauna
Ielts,h. The conferences the representa-
tive Of the German Government has had
with the Secretary of state would appear
40 have impressed him with the inabihty
of that Official to provide the reiel Tor
which the Government asked. In view ol
x.hat the Ambassador is known TO nave
told some senator's, il would seem TO be
altogether clear that the campaign
against American meat products lnauSu-
rated by that Government had grown out
of a spirit of retaliation, and with the
sole end in view Of forcing thus Govern
nent TO retrace its steps in the matter
OF this discrimination against German
sugar products.
WAR on THE INCOME TAX LAW.
The formidable opposition TO the IN
come tax which has developed in Con-
n ~ uliutlHluttlt illi'lS ptilNitbi VII
,ouragement and support i'm Administra-
rion circles. The fight as already stated.
centers around the paragraph in the uI-
rent deficiency bin making an appro-
nriation to carry the law into effect. II
The proposition can be defeated TINS VIII,
of course Kill the income tax by the
congressional method known as starving
g. TO death" That the total revenue or
The Government may not be reduced
from Secretary Carlisle's estimates or
treasury needs, II is proposed to raise
revenue In lieu of the income tax, from
two suorCes, viz: To increase the tax OH
beer. and to revive the tax OF two cents
on each bank check presented Tor pay
,oent From lhtse two sources. II Is sara,
more revenue than is expected from tile
income tax can be derived, and with 1ar
less friction. 1t is acknowledged that the
increased tax on beer can be coliecteu
al no extra cost by the present force OF
internal revenue officers. The bank check
lax practically collects itself
When the new tariff bill was Dehls
urepared the question OF increasing the
beer tax was discussed by the Demo
cratic members of the Ways and Means
committee of the House, but was drop
nod because it was considered Dau pol-
itics" al that time 20 increase that 'aN'
,rbc same reasons, It is said, do not now
obtain.