The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-04-24
CRITICS AND TARIFF BUILDERS.


swerved by Campers.
Mr.. Dingley and his associates of the
ways and means committee are veter-
ans much too experienced In the tricks
OF political warfare TO be confused by
the senseless pretense that "they are
yielding" IL they find an error TO cor
rect, or that "they care nothing about
public opinion" IL the clamors of inn
porters and their agents do not move
them from their duty to American in
dustries. 1t is their part to go straight
ahead according to their own convic-
lions. obtaining what light they can
from debate or published comment,
never hesitating to correct any error
that may appear to them, but never de-
parting from their honest beliefs as
men trusted by the republican party to
carry out its principles and purposes as
wisely as possible. Thus far IL Is equal
ly gratifying to see that they have
modified some points, and that they
have turned deaf ear TO the clamor Of
interested parties about others.
No sensible man ever imagined that
a tariff bill could be so framed at the
start that IL would not seem even to
him to require modification In any de-
tail. The wise man never thinks that
he knows everything or is infallible.
The ceaseless and swift progress of
science, invention and American indus
tries not only alters every month the
relationsof products previously known.
but brings into existence articles never
before known, either to experts, dealers
or producers, about which the ablest
students are not fully informed, so that
TO man can say with certainty how
other products will be affected or 10
what extent. There are 81 clauses in one
schedule alone of the Dingley bill APP
plying to articles never known in bust
ness when any previous tariff was
framed, which have become so inn
portant, either directly or in their in
fiuence upon the production OF other
articles, as to require special provision.
Hundreds more could be named which
have not yet appeared of such impor-
lance as to need legislative notice. But
In either direction the wisest man liv-
ing may be found impcrfectly informed,
whether he deems provision neces-
sary or not necessary, too high or too
low. The wisest man living will be con-
siderably more ready than the self
satisfied donkey to seek further light.
The current criticisms of the new bill
have manifested this year foolish
want OF thought nearly as remarkable
as the ability shown in framing the
measure. Thus one respectable journal
gravely argues that the present tariff
produces more revenue than the law
which bears McKinley's name" The
present tariff produced in the last
fiscal year Sl56, 104, 500 revenue, and the
Mckinley act in 1893 produced $10s, 373,-
453. If anybody should ask how a
reputable journal could make such a
mistake. the only answer possible is
that no one can guess. Other journals,
and men who have the reputation OF
statesmen, have said: at is admitted
the revenue was only $2o, 100000 below
expenditures last year; what excuse Is
there for raising S117.00o,000 more ?"
Here are two stupidities tangled to-
gether. Tho forced balances last June,
by which $15,000,000 or more of ex-
penditures were thrust over into this
year in order to make good showing,
deceive nobody who looks at the
record and sees that the calendar year
1896 closed with deficit OF $50, 240, 32G.
The country must raise more revenue
now, simply because democratic deficits
have added in four years $500, 00o, 900 to
the national debt, and interest must be
paid and the beginning of reduction
must be made.
But the other blunder of this tangle
Is slightly more excusable. Basing
estimates upon the actual importations
Of 1896, the expert finds that duties
would be increased $l17,0O0,000 If inn
ports should remain the same. The
blunderer drops the "h," and fancies
that he has fact. But the tariff-fram-
er knows that importations will not re-
main the same, distinctly intends that
they shall not continue to PROSTATE
American industries as they have, and
next proceeds TO calculate what decrease
from the imports OF 1896 may be ex-
pected. Thus Mr.. Dingley arrived at
the conclusion that about S70,000,000 in
crease OF revenue might be expected,
unless considerable delay should en-
able importers 10 deIeat IL during the
first year. But that there win be some
delay is probable. A gain of over $780,
100000 compared with the revenue of
the last calendar year would barely pre-
vent deficit.-N. Y. Tribune.
-----------