Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-27
HE OPENS TARIFF DEBATE FOR
REPUBLICANS.
STATES THEIR POSITION
Rhode Island Senator Says That His
Side Win Spend No Time in Aca-
demic Discussions of Principles of
Protection Vest Answers Him and
Cannon Submits an Amendment

devoted by the senate to its first de-
bate on the new tariff bill.
At y, m. the bill was formally in
PRODUCED without opposition.
Mr. Vest gave notice that when the
paragraphs were read he would move
10 strike out the provisions relating
to beer, manufactured tobacco and
snuff and cigarettes.
Senator Aldrich then opened the de-
bate for the republicans. He said:
Mr.. President-The business of the
entire country is in n state of suspen-
sion awaiting the action of the senate
upon the bill under consideration. |
can say for the senators sitting on this
side of he chamber that no time will
be spent in academic discussions of the
principles Of protection.
1T is my purpose to keep the bill
continuously before the senate, to the
exclusion of all other legislative bust
ness until it is finally disposed of, end
in this shall expect the hearty coop
GRAFTON of senators on both sides Of
the chamber.
THE majority of the committee be-
lieves that if thorough revision of
our revenue laws, such as is contem-
plated by the house bill, is necessary,
it should be carried out in Il conserva-
tive spirit, and that such n moderate
and reasonable measure should be
adopted as will insure much greater
degree of permanence to our tariff leg
islaticn. Frequent revisions of the
tariff are productive of long periods of
uncertainty and arrested development,
The radical change in policy in 1894
proved disastrous to the business in
terests of the county.
1T was, believe, thoroughly under
stood throughout the country in the
last politicaI campaign, that If the re-
publican party should be again in
trusted with power no extreme tariff
legislation would follow. 1t was be-
lieved that in the changed conditions
of the country a return to the duties
imposed by the act of 1890 would not
be necessary, even from a protective
standpoint
ut was with these facts constantly
in view that a majority of the finance
committee prepared the amendments
which they have submitted for your
consideration Nothing could be more
conducive to the return and mainte-
nance of real prosperity in this coun-
,l,,1 toe 9l,t
there were to be no violent changes in
our revenue policy for some years to
cme The committee believes that in
the reduction they have suggested
from the rates imposed in the house
hill they have not gone in any instance
below the protective point. The rates
suggested by-the committees amend
ments are considerably below those inn
posed by the house BILL and in most in
stances below those contained in the
act of 1890
industrial conditions in this coun-
Try, with very few exceptions, do not
demand return To the rates imposed
by the act of 1890. The bitter contest
which is going on among the leading
nations of the world for industrial su
premacy has brought about improve
ments in methods and economics in
production to'an extent which was not
thought possible "A few years ago
These new conditions must be taken
into account in considering the rates
to be imposed. Without relinqushing
one particle of our devotion to the
have a right to ask that the cause
shall not be burdened by the imposi-
ton of duties which are unnecessary
and excessive.
The trainers of the house bin esti-
mate a total revenue from the bill of
1868 105,710 in normal years. This
would be the largest revenue received
from customs duties, and an Increase
of $l13,479 1913 over the customs reve-
nue. of 1896, and Of $40, 1872, 2j4 over that
of 1893.
Ns-S-
THE report Of the ways and means
committee of the house recognizes the
fact that anticipatory importations viii
largely reduce the expected revenues
Of the first fiscal year under the new
tariff, but after making allowance Of
these importations the report esti-
mates an increased income of $4,000 +
600 for the year 1898, provided the Law
should be passed by May /. If its en-
actment were delayed until July l. the
report added that SIS 100000 addition
al would easily be lost to the public
treasury.
"The committee estimates the re-
ceipts from internal revenue for the
same period at s170, 700,0 900. II we add
to this the treasury estimate for mis-
cellaneous receipts, $40. 1000, 900 and the
receipts on account OF the postoffice
s96 ,227 076, we have total estimated
receipts for the fiscal year 1896 u
s496, 81 076, or an estimated excess
OF recei ITS over expenditures for that
year Of s2,725,028.
IF the estimated revenue from the
duty on tea and the additional inter
nal revenue taxes should he omitted
from the committees estimates Of re-
. 4 l.. n