The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-12-06
rHE pINoLEY coMpRoMsE nllL

NANAAN - ANAiN sNAs AFAASANNh NAAN W
the party he has 50 efficiently represent
ed in the ways and means committee,
when the Dingley bill is spoken OF as a
remedy devised and chosen by the Re
publcans to settle the tariff question,
says the New York Tribune. by its
terms that bill was limited in operation,
and was to have effect only until a Re
publican or else a Democratic measure
could be matured after the presidential
election. Not one Of the Democrats in
the present congress was willing to ae-
oept Il even as a temporary comprOm-
Use, and now the situation has been en-
tirely changed by a new decision " the
people. More than seven million Amer
leans have voted for VIM. Mckinley, be-
lleving that he could be trusted to carry
out the assurances given day after day
in his wise and manly speeches some
journals protested because he constant
ly urged the necessity Of tariff revision,
and they called Il a fatal mistake. but
the people voted for him, Ii is right 10
infer that they wanted. not an eNpur-
gated edition of Mckinley, not the sort
OF Mckinley the free trade journals
would have manufactured. but McKin-
man who 50 frankly exhibited himself
and his convictions is the man who
viii be president. and with Republi-
can congress can take up the tariff
problem within four months. The Ding
ley bill was a plank TO bridge over this
difficult and doubtful year. but no Re-
publican would propose it now as a
sufficient remedy.
1t is even a question whether II would
bring the revenue required. In the last
year Of President Harrison the McKin-
ley duties yielded not SsOOO.O00 more
than expenses. In the last fiscal year
the present tariff yielded $ss. 100000 from
duties on sugar which was formerly
free, but cut on s72,O5S,OOO from other
duties. so that it yielded in all $42.-
275. 900 less than the customs revenue
in 1928. The Dingley bin would add |
50 per cent OF the Mckinley duties on
wool and woolens, but on imports equal |
to those OF 1898 this would yield less
than the present revenue on imports
Of wOolens greatly stimulated by ad
valorem duties. 1t would ad 50 per
cent of the old duty on lumber, which
would be not more than 81, 100000. All
the remaining duties (woolens, lumber
and sugar excepted yielded last year
Sl0s. 900. OO0, and the increase of 10 per
cent on these would add not more than
s15.OOO.OOO TO make up a deficit Of over
$40. .OOO. 900.
This is not the worst, Except in the
woolens and lumber schedules where
old duties could be partially restored.
the bill was framed TO secure Demo-
cratic support in the present senate.
and would continue all the offensive |
determinations which have made the
present Democratic tariff so objection
able. In a great number OF cases that
measure reduced or took of duties for |
a purely sectional or partisan reason.
and by raising all alike the Dingley bill /
would prolong every such offensive ia
and where duties have been
taken off entirely for such reasons
would still leave the articles free of
duty. Il would perpetuate many
changes which were made in sheer.
blind ignorance. putting different pro-
lrcts ct the same Industry utterly out
Of line with each other. It would not
merely continue. but increase most
all the special favors granted
IN the act Of 1894, except those granted
10 the sugar and whisky interests
These were so many and so great that
wen the New York Times denounced
he bill as packed with favors granted
he monopolies in order to secure the
Totes Of certain Democratic senator's;
Ind Mr. Cleveland scorned 1t TOO thor
,ughly to sign it, But in every in
tance the Dingley bill would increase
he favors thus granted by shameful
Democratic bargains. If nothing better
Ould be done last winter, with the
'alance of power held by the same
Democratic senators who had dictated
he present tariff. something better can
t least be done next spring.
The one thing to be gained. II this
ill could be passed at the coming short
ession, would be partial and made .
Iuate relief for few industries a little {
arlier than 1t could be gained other
gise But at this time. when It is no ]
onger necessary to meet a sudden
and to provide revenue for a {
rhole year to come. there is not the
anne reason for prolongiag and making
1ore offensive by the votes Of Republi-
ans the Objectionable features Of the {
resent tariff 1t is in their power to I
end to the president some brief and r
imple bill, based in the main upon the
Of the act Of 1890 and not
pom the barter and sale Of 1894 IT |
rould surely be better TO restore, as far I
$ may be practicable or in present con- /
ltions desirable, the principles Of the I
ct Of 1890 under which great prosperity !
-as realized, than to prolong for year t
r more the characteristic features a
,hich made the act OF 1894 discredltab1e t
o congress and disastrous TO the coun- t
ry. j
OLD PEOPLE.