Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-01
WEDNESDAY SEPT. /, 1897.
Trx pm CENT. DISCRIMINATION

And still the rascality of the Dingley
tariff grows. Ii was recently discov-
cred. It will be remembered, that while
the bill was in the Conference Commit
tee there was Slipped" into section "
n provision imposing a duty Of 10 per
cent. ad. vslorem on all goods coming
into this country from foreign couh-
try through another foreign country
Canada, or Mexico, for instance. When
this discriminating 'slip in" was IN
vestigated by the press the explanation
was forthcoming that the provision was
not original legislation. but was in the
nature of "perfecting" legislation that
had obtained for many years. Further
more colloquies that took place over
the provision were quoted, the object
being to show that Messrs. Allison'
Dingley, and others who are principally
responsible for the passage of the tarln
law In It's present form so understood, or
claimed to understand, the matter.
In all previous tariff laws the section
corresponding to section % of the pre-
sent law. after imposing 10 per cent.
discriminating duty upon goods import
ed In vessels not flying the United
States flag, provides that this discrimi-
mating duty shall not apply to goods,
wares. or merchandise which shall be
imported in vessels not of the United
States, entitled at the time of such i'm
portation by treaty or act of Congress
TO be entered in ports of the United
States on the payment OF the same du-
ties as shall then be payable on goods,
etc, imported in vessels of the United
States" The apologists for the amend
for the "perfecting'' provision it would
only be necessary, In order to the eva
Zion Of the discriminating duty, for a
foreign vessel laden with dutiable goods
10 land her cargo in Mexican or Cana
dian port and run 1t into the United
States by rail. Nothing. however. seems
TO have been said about the fact that
goods which would be non-dutiable If
landed in a United States port would
lncur the discriminating tax IL brought
into this country through port OF
one Of our neighbors The statesmen
who were so jealous In their efforts
10 prevent the governments being robbed
through connivance OF the importers
with Canada or Mexico, are in the po-
sition OF pleading utter obliviousness of
having by their ''perfecting'' clause
stood still further In with the trusts
and combines to rob the people.
But this does not by any means repre-
~ f,,n t,i In, n.
perfecting section. II would seen
that the effect of the section, as 1t now
stands. is much more far reaching thar
appears In its application 10 foreign goods
coming into this country via another
foreign country. Not to mince matters
Il would seem that 1t is designed I,
discriminate against some OF the coun
tries with which we have our larges
import trade. The discriminating pro
vision in the old tariff laws was aimee
only at the cargoes OF ships of countrie,
that Disseminated against the United
states Under an act OF Congress tn,
Executive was empowered 10 exempt
from the discrimination vessels of coun
tries that had no commercial treaty with
us covering the case. but did not dis
eliminate against us. and many of tn,
Presidents have by proclamation accorded
that exemption. The countries which
have exemption by reason Of treaties arr
Sweden. Germany. Austria. Brazil. Bel
GUM. Denmark. Italy. Greece. Chile. Ar
gentina, Haiti, Hawaii. Holland. Russia
and Turkey, from several OF which M
merchant marine sails TO American ports
Those countries enjoying exemption IL
whole or in part, by virtue Of proclama
tsons issued, in pursuance Of the act o.
Congress- referred to. are Great Britain
Srsaee. Spain. Portugal. Japan. Nicara