The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-03
CAPITAL TARIFF TALK.
Baltimore sun Correspondence.

the tsrif measure. hides must be protected,
1t is further believed that II senator Jones
has assumed this attitude there can be
little question the other republicans VIII be
forced to accede to his demands. His vote
is wanted to insure the passage Of the oill'
and he is able to dictate terms. The franz
| era OF the tariff bill are not in very de-
lightful position. The New England and
other Eastern manufacturers of leather
goods still protest against duty on hides.
| and have even gone so far as 10 predict
the overthrow Of the republican party II 1t
! is imposed. The Western republicans, on
| the other hand, continue equally persistent
| in favor OF the duty. and as their votes are
| necessary TO the passage OF any kind OF
tariff bill. they can not we'll be ignored.
a democratic senator. who discussed with
q representative Of the sun the ombarrass-
ments of the republicans over this question,
said that, in his opinion, the Eastern man
ufacturers would he forced TO submit to any
terms the Western men might Insist, upon.
look TO for such special legislation as they
demand" he said and they are the last
demand" he said. and they are the last
people In the world who can AFFORD 10 Of
fer any persistent objection TO hides or
any other article in the dutiable list The
controversy W hich has arisen over this par
ocular matter OF hides, tae senator con-
tinued. shows how unreasonable and un-
fair are tariff henefciares when they have
once experienced the benefits that eau re-
suit from legislation designed to favor
them specially.
If there was any sincerity in the repub-
lican declaration that tariff legislation is
intended to help the whole country. and
protection can he made beneficial, there
could be no question that protection for
hides Is as justly demanded as protection
for shoes or other manufactured goods But
this is not the plea set NJ by the tarih
benefeiaries themselves. They argue that
hides or any other article that enters into
the product Of their manufactured goods
should he free. and the duty placed only
upon the finished product
There has been no democratic doctrine
iustiiled into the minds OF these represent
atlves OF special interests that are now
Wranshng over the shedulcs. The question
of proper and improper methods OF TAXATION
has not been preached. II is simply a
wrangle as to how one particular set OF
mon can gain additional benefits from the
imuosuion OF a duty or the placing Of an
article tpQn the free list And AS ,hey are
ell actuatcd by the same selfish motives.
the arrangement OF a schedule has become
a matter OF barter and sale one set OF
men accept a reduction oi duty upon one
rticlc that enters into tho production OF
al Other set OF men. bIt are rooompensed
by enormous duties in dno her direction.
As they fight and quarrel over The question
Of profits TO be obtained. each side backs
up It's claim TO consideration with a text
of political economy, misleading and mis-
applied.
In the case Of the manufacturers, they
argue that duties should be imposed upon
f,pnitfpfc In tarl.. a
mulatiNe taxes. The producers Of hides aud
raw materials argue that if finished pro-
ducts are to be protected. then they should
be protected from the greed and rapaci'y
OF the manufacturer. The manufacturer
arsues that If he alone is protected he can
make ample profits from his business and
VIII be able and willing to give good prices
FOR the materials be uses. The producer OF
the raw materials dos not doubt the 9th
er ability. but questions his willingness
Each is trying to take advantage of the
other, and both are finding their differences
almost irreoonciablc.
The democrats OF the senate are NOT all
az fierce in their denunciation OF the
forthcoming bin as this particular SEN
ator The suspicion exists. both in and
out of the senate chamber. that some OF
them have not been entirely ignored in
the republicans were permitted, when the
present tariu law was framed by demo-
cratic protcctionis,s. to secure such pro-
visions they deired for tho advance
ment Of interests with which they were
most concerned, 50 the democratic pro-
tectionists have been kindly treated by
tho republicans in turn and are willing
tho bill should pass.
IL is believed the refusal OF the demo-
cratic membors OF the finance COMMITTEES
TO permit the bill to go to the senate with
cut discussion by the full committee may
delay the reporting Of the bill and disar-
range some OF the plans of the repub-
licars. While the democrats have no in
tention OF attempting to change the bill
1t is possible that The pressure
OF dissatisfied republicans and the popu-
lits, who ara supposed to be Influential
with Senator Jones Of Nevada. together
with tho cheerful willingness OF the demo-
Gratis 30 increase the embarrassment of
the republicans. may lead TO serious com
plicatons. 1t was TO avoid the danger of
this that the republicans wished the bill
laid before the senate without any revision
by tho committee.
The republicans believe that when they
have once got the bill safely into the SEN
ate they can depend upon party discipline
TO insure the support OF the entire repub-
ncan membership. but as long as It Is In
the committee there is a probability that
all dissatisfied members will insist upon
having their claims heard. The fact that
the revision OF the bill by the republican
senator's has been conducted secretly pre- |
vents open criticism of the committees
work by members Of their own party. but |
there is reason to believe that the pub
licatlon of the completed bill will cause |
very considerable discomfort.
The democratic lnnmhCrR NJ tho
finance committee today followed W their |
refusal to allow the tariff bill 10 be re. |
ported direct 10 the senate with the an |
nouncement that they would expect to be |
given opportunity for thorough examina- |
ton Of all the schedules OF th- bill as |
amended before It is reported to the senae
They have already employed one expert and |
will employ others 10 take up the bill IN |
their behalf as soon as It is presented &c |
them.
SOME POSTsCRIPTs.
Deer are reported as quite plentiful In
the vicinity OF Northport. Maine.