New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-12
ROCKS AND ART IN THE TARIFF.

There ought to be no doubt that when an
agreement has been reached In conference upon
IN. tariff it will be found to include sul'apie
provisions for the free importation OF DOORS
and works of art-by which we mean provisions
at least as liberal as those contained III 'le
Mckinley act. Moreover, the record OF the TWO
houses Of Congress thus far with reference 10
this matter affords reasonable hope that such
will h, the case 1t will be remembered That
flo Dinpley bill as originally introduced put
,ax uDon books engravngS. maps. charts. SCI
entific apparatus, etc. whether imported FOR
sale or for purposes of exhibition and instruc-
,on. and that such exemptions as were sllbse-
ouenrly made in behalf Of educational lnsttu-
lions were neither sufficiently liberal nor SUM-
c,en,lv clear This defect was especially ODvl-
Gus in the provision which contained the condl-
tional clause such as are not made OF pup
usbed IN the United States" These conces-
sions. however, which were made in response TO
n strong protest and appeal emanating largely
from educational institutions, were Mt first CRATE
fully welcomed, but the unsatisfactory CHAR
acter of the amendments was soon discovered
and the opposition was renewed after the Dill
was sent 10 the Senate. The effect was seen.
when The bill was reported from the Finance
Committee in the amendments restoring these
various products Of literary and scientific
quality to the free list together with paintings
and other works Of art the proposition being
substantially to re-enact in these respects the
existing law.
In its passage through the Senate the free art
clause of the bill has been again modified and
a duty reimposed. so that In its present form
the bill SO far as II relates 10 the instruments
of learning, culture and establishment closely
corresponds to the Mckinley act. We have no
doubt that the provisions affecting books. en-
cravings and scientific apparatus ought TO lie
left substantially In the form In which the Sen
are has put them. There Is certainly not the
,east reason for reversing the established policy
of the Government and removing from the free
list prints and literary productions which are
more than twenty years old, nor Is there any
satisfactory excuse for hedging about ostensible
exemptions in behalf Of educational establish
ments with conditions which are certain 10 he
yexatious In application and which are likely
IN defeat the real purpose OF those exemptions.
With reference 10 works Of art. so called. II
Is proper TO say that there Is a much greater
diversity OF opinion among those who have
given the closest and most disinterested atten-
ton 10 this subject. The natural disposition Of
Iiberal-mnded persons Is TO say that paintings,
scripture and other objects Of an educational
quality ought 10 be admitted free-in a word,
that IL IS the reverse Of creditabe and ad
yanfagcous policy Ito tax culture" But the
fact is that under the guise Of works Of art
vast amount Of trash Is brought into the coun-
try which. instead Of developing artistic appreci
alton and spreading enlightenment. depraves
and degrades public taste 1t is In evidence
furthermore, that great deal Of stuff which is
not art OF any grade or In any sense Is brought
In free at large loss to the Treasury. which II
essentially defrauds. We have been inclined to