Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-26
TARIFF DEBATE.


committee, stating that Nfleu tHe par .
graph were reached relative to beer,
manufactured tobacco. snuff and cigar
cites, he would move to strike out the
provisions relating thereto.
Quay Rep. Pa. asked If the vote on
this motion to strike out could be divided
as he might support some of the propo-
sitions and oppose others. Vest answered
that the rules would permit separate
votes.
IT was agreed al the outset that the
formal reading of the bill be dispensed
with. until Ii was considered by para
graphs, and then that the committee
amendments would be considered first
after which each paragraph would be
open to general amendment.
When Aldrich began the galleries had
again filled and nearly every seat on the
floor of the Senate was filled.
Mr. Dingley author of the House bill
took a seat near the senator who spoke
In an easy. conversational style and was
accorded close attention.
In opening his speech. Senator Aldrlch
said: MIR. President-The business OF the
entire country is in state OF suspension.
awaiting the action of the Senate upon
the bill under consideration. | believe
that the anxiety to secure action upon
this important measure at the earliest
possible time. is shared by every member
of the Senate | can say for senators SIX
ting on this side of the chamber that no
time would be spent in the academic diS-
cussion of the principle OF protection
IT is my purpose to keep the bill con-
tinuously before the Senate to the eNeiu-
sion OF Ill other legislative business until
il is finally disposed of. and in this shat
expect the hearty corporation OF Sehit-
tors on both sides of the chamber.
In the discussion of the bill the mem
bcrs of the majority of the committee
will content themselves with such brict
explanations as may he found necessary
of the various paragraphs as they are
tx IChed.
IL scenes desirable that at the begin
ming of this discussion the majority Of
the finance committee should present 10
the Senate in detail their estimate OF
what influence the bill viii have ON the
revenue and that they should explain. III
a general way, the character Oh the
amendments.
The committee believe that in the re-
auctions they have suggested from tine
rates imposed in the House bill. they
have not gone in any instance below the
protective point, and If the biil should
become a law in the form presented by
them, every American industry would Toe
abled to meet foreign competition on
equal terms; that is, SO far as this can
be secured by tariff legislation. The rates
suggested by the committees amend
ments are considerably below those i'm
posed by the House bill. and in most IN
stances below those contained in the act
of 1890.
In suggesting these reductions. the
members of the committee reafiirm and
emphasize their position as friends OF the
protective policy. The ultimate purpose
of this policy is TO secure, as TAR as thus
is possible, by wise and conservative leg
r islatian. the steady growth and develop
mcnt of all Understanding manu-
featuring and commercial The provi-
sions of Il tariff law affect all of these III
terests in numberlcss ways, and unless
there can be stability in the tariff policy,
there can be no certainty of prosperity
for any.
Industrial conditions in this country.
with very few exceptions, do not demand
n 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 supremacy has
J brought about Improvements in methods
and economies to an extent which was
| not thought possible a few years ago,
! These new conditions must be taken in'D
| account.
| without relinquishng one particle Of
| our devotion to the cause of protection.
/ we have right to acknowledge that the
| cause should not be burdened by the i'm
! position of duties which are unnecessary
and excessive. In the REIMBURSEMENT OF
| rates suggested. the committee has tried
i in every instance to- make them sufii-
| GENTLY protective to domestic Interests
without being prohibitive.
| The trainers of the House bin estma te
| Il total revenue from the Dill OF $2b9 IVA
| 40 in normal years. This would be tho
| largest revenue ever received from Gus
toms duties and an increase of $il3 4I9, ~
| over the customs revenue OF 1896 and $l0,-
| 1872 Psi over that of 1899.
| The report of the ways and means com
/ mittees of the House recognizes the fac
| that anticipated importations will largely
| reduce the expected revenues CT. the frs
| fiscal year under the new tariff; but after
making allowance for these fmportations
| the report estimates an increased in
! come of SIG, 0G0, 0G0 for the year 1898. pro
| vided the law should be passed by May ]
Z, If its enactment were delayed until Jun,
| l. the report added that 81, COCO 600 add
tional would easily be lost to the public
/ treasury.
1 The secretary of the treasury estimate
the expenditures for all purposes for TIN
fiscal year ending June 30. 1898. at $i66
GAG. oiT.2S. The finance committee estimate
the revenue to be derived in the sam
fiscal year from customs. If the prov
sions of the bill reported by them SHOULD
be enacted into law at SlS2. $4,000. Th
includes an estimated revenue from tn
temporary duty on tea of $S.000000.
The committee estimate the receipt
from internal revenue for the same perio
at Sl10. 100 0c0 If we add to this the treas
ury estimate for miscellaneous receipts
$40. 900 600 and the receipts on account o
the post office. $780, 227.o16. we have tota
: estimated receipts for the fiscal yea
r 1905 Of s469.611. 0,6. or an estimated exces
of receipts over expenditures for tina
year of ". T25.02S.
In estimating the receipts for int erpta