The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-09
OuaY as a Tariff. Maker.

'The amendments which Senator
Quay proposes to offer to the tariff
bill are short, sweet and very much
to the point. They are:
~. Eliminating the proposed tariff
on tea. The argument that tea might
possibly be grown in America in small
amounts if protected by tariff from
Oriental competition, is insufficient to
reconcile the great bulk of citizens to
the duty on tea proposed by the senate
finance committee. If the Republican
party should go before the country
three years hence pointing to tariff
bill of it's Workmanship which offered
free entrance to works of art and lux
ury while going out of its way to tax
the poor mans breakfast table," it
would deservedly encounter defeat In
this amendment Senator Quay newly
evinces his sagacity as a politician.
(2). Striking out the proposed in
crease of the beer tax 1t will be held
that this is a surrender to the brewers;
and we dare say 1t is offered with a
view to their propitiation. Still, the
fact remains that beer, with a growing
number of persons, is as much a bev-
erage of necessity as tea, coffee or CO.
Goa. To single it out for special and
increased taxation would, as a matter
of politics. offend more voters than it
would please. In this prosaic age it is
yet Necessary at times to consult ex-
pediency.
90. Providing for the free admission
of iron ore imported from mines owned
abroad by citizens of the United States
for their own use. This has especial
reference to the Cuban ores used at
Bethlehem, Steelton and Sparrow's
Point. The mills at those places must
have this ore if they wish to continue
in the iron and steel business, and
Senator Quay evidently thinks it is
just that they should have it duty free.
In this view most persons in Pennsyl-
vania will agree with him.
(4). Requiring all articles on the free
list to bear ten per cent. duty until
1891, by which time it is believed the
finances of the country will be in shape
to enable this emergency provision to
be discontinued. This remedy for de-
ficits is heroic, but it is like its author.
When Senator Quay has to do thing
he believes in doing it to the very
limit. The fact that doubt has been
cast upon the ability of the
amended Dingley bill to raise the
revenue required by the government
suggests 10 him very direct way to
remove that doubt. There will be no
deficits if this provision shall be adopt
ed.
(5). Restoring the former internal
revenue provisions. Changes in the in
ternal revenue schedules invariably
beget confusion and open the door to
fraud. They are dreaded by tariff
makers but in the original draft of
the Dingley bill several of them were
rendered necessary by the desire to
add materially to the nations current
income, Inasmueh as this addition
would be reached by Senator Quay in
another and perhaps a surer way, it
Is desirable. II his other amendments
are entertained. that this last one
should be included with them.
II will, we think. be the general
opinion that these few amendments
offer a clear, simple and straightfor-
ward way out Of the problem. When
to them is added one restoring the
Aldrich sugar schedule TO condition
of public decency, the sum will offer
a material Improvement upon the new
teSiff bill as 1t was reported by the