New-York tribune., 1897-08-16
SOME WORKINGS OF THE NEW TAHITI

SOME WORKINGS or 1HE VI" i1"H = =
* the effects Of the new tariff cannot be
fairly iudged on the whole until it has been
several months in operation, hasty attempts
by sensation mOngers TO create preJudlce against
IL at the outset reflect little credit upon theH
Judgment Some things can be perceived al
ready which are not entirely welcome to It's OPP
moments 1t was generally predicted 'hal
the new tariff being Outrageously prohiDitor!
in character. would not yield revenue but pre-
vent revenue. 1t does nOl seem to De the lact
that imports are prohibited since they nave
haen SO 407 11G in value at NewYork alone
during three weeks of August decrease COM
nored with the same weeks last year of about
II fifth, nor does the new tariH entreiy cut OH
revenue from customs, since such revenue III
thirteen days of August was S3,O2I,S2O. against
S53n7 $50 in the same days last year. When 1t
is considered that the enormous anticipatory
imports were expected to cut off a large share
of the revenue for some time and that i'll the
first three weeks under the new tariff the sup
plies previously brought In might be expected
10 satisfy the markets almost entirely, it cam
not be said that the new tarn appears prohD-
i1ory or destructive Of revenue.
Even in drygoods. of which the imports
IN advance of new duties were exceptionally
'.
erable and more than half as large as last
wear. In two weeks at New-York the value of
such goods imported has been S2.420,4 430, against
81 2i3 last year. which does not look rs If
imports had been 10y any means prohibited or
all revenue from that source cut off, On the
contrary as there was no other class of articles
of which Withdrawals from warehouse before
the new law passed were heavy and seemed
so likely to crowd the markets for months. it
is matter of reasonable surprise that in the
first half Of the first month under the new
duties the imports should prove large in
value. Remembering that the new duties are
much higher than the old on goods of that kind,
having been raised more than on other classes.
and perhaps 10 per cent on the average II will
be observed that the new duties would yield,
even on the exceptionally restricted importa-
tions Of the last two weeks no considerable
proportion of the revenue from lower duties on
larger importations a year ago.
No sensible man expects that any tariff can
be framed entirely free from mistakes and
points have already been found which Congress
would doubtless have improved had they been
noticed. 1t Is not so clear as some imagine that
the provision now the subject Of controversy re-
garding entry OF goods in bond transported by
Canadian railways was mistake IN principle
or policy, whether II was unintentionally ad-
mitted or not. Repeatedly within the last few
years there have been strong appeals 10 the
Government to revoke the bonding arrange
ment on the ground that II not only worked in
jury TO American shipping on the Pacific and
american railways having lines across the con
tinent. but gave undue and sometimes mpor-
tant advantages 10 foreign dealers and opened
many opportunities for fraudulent evasion of
duties. 1t was from the outset regarded as n
stralning OF courtesy TO n friendly neighbor nt
some obvious sacrifice Of the interests of This
country. What Interpretation may be placed by
the authorities or the courts upon the provision
recently enacted has yet TO be seen. but it some.
times happens that wise and fortunate errors,
as well as mistakes that are harmful and un-
just, spring from inadverencc in the use of
terms Since the question has been opened II
may he well TO consider It's merits and what
reasons exist for continuing privilege benef-
cial to foreigners rather than to Americans