Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-27
Tarin Debate Begun.

AT last, after the lapse of ten weeks,
the Senate has begun to devote itself
to a consideration of the tariff.
The. debate opened by Senator AL
drich, Tuesday. will end no one knows
when. though just now there is hope
FIJI feeling that the bill may go back
TO the House by July first when the
Washington heat may melt the hearts
of the most obdurate into a compliant
state.
II is most earnestly desired that the
character of the debate may be like
that of the opening speech of Mr.. AL
drich. He is, however, very able
business man as well as a legislator.
and is as thoroughly conversant with
tariff making and all theintricacies OF
the schedules probably as any man liv-
ing. Accordingly he spoke from the
fullness of information, which unfortu-
nately many of the senators do not
possess.
IT is noted that he lays considerable
stress upon the proposition that the Dill
is n protective measure. He does not
attempt to deny that it is a COM
promise, and couldn't if he would. 1t
is equally clear that it must in the end
be a compromise; accordingly is to be
deyoutly hoped it will be one of those
compromises, they have existed, that
will please more and be less exposed
to change, than a measure representing
only the ideas of one faction or party
The ground he takes that some in
dustries do not need so much protec-
ton under changed conditions as for
merly is logical from a Republican
standpoint. But it is all the more diff
fjcult following this to assert that the
sugar refining industry needs more and
to make the reason plain. especially
when schedules so involved and per-
picking are to be explained. Mr.. AL
drich has performed the task as well,
we believe, as it possibly can be done.
He finds the need of more revenue pre-
cludes the return to free sugar, and
the fact that it has been deemed by
the finance committee necessary to inn
nose tax on tea, bears out that find
ing.
AS one reads the senator's explana-
ton of the modification in the sugar
schedules, it is evident that all is being
made as plain as the matter is capable
of, nevertheless we think some Will
want to hear from the House commit
tee before accepting Mr.. Aldrich's con-
illusions as absolutely correct. for to
the comprehension of the ordinary in
diyidual these schedules seem fertile
source for mistakes on the part of very
able men. We would recommend a
careful reading of those explanations,
however.
The statements as to the change in
conditions since 1894 are susceptible
of proof for they rest upon statistics,
that so far as we know are indisputa-
BILE and show that German refiners
are now with their government bounty,
able to sell refined sugar in our mar
ket on a parity with the raw product
and must inevitably drive our refiners
to the wall unless protection shall pre-
vent. Furthermore Mr.. Aldrich be-
lieves that as the bill now stands the
refiners will be afforded no more than
their proportionate share, as compared
with other industries.
1t is apparent his estimates do not
ance of existing treaty relations with
Hawaii, and possibly the way out of this
difficulty will be as easy as he suggests;
nor is opportunity for reciprocity at
forded. Indeed such close figuring to
provide for the increase in revenue
demanded would seem to admit of no
such opportunity. So far as the re-
port shows the finance committee S
conclusions, that the estimates of the
House committee are excessive, are
| based on the excessive importations in
the past three months and the fact that
| if kept up as they will be, While ~the
Senate dallies, the revenue for the first
year will be greatly impaired. Accord
ingly one of the most pertinent parts
of the senator's speech is that in which
| he urges the Importance of speedy
| action.
posed, that if the Salisbury cabinet t1at