Saint Mary's beacon., 1897-08-05
THE AVERAGE OF DUTIES DE-
LUSIVE.

When IL is stated as fact shown by
the Treasury experts that the average ad
yalorem OF the rates levied by the Nc
kinley law is 81 per cent, a startling
view OF lis oppressive burdens is un-
doubtedly revealed. and one which
would have alarmed cur antebellum an
cestors. who believed that eternal vigi-
lance IS the price OF liberty" into heroic
resistance. But the fact is these figures.
astounding as they are. do not adequate
ly tell the tale. as will appear by fur
thei inspection OF the table of figures
prepared by Treasury Expert Evans,
and presented by Senator White. to
which reference has already been made
There 1t IS shown that upon 81 articles.
many ot them necessarily consumed by
the masses OF the people. the duties
range from 100 to 224 per cent? Among
these are common window glass. upon
which the duty ranges. according to size.
from Io7 10 IoS per cent: pen knives or
pocket knives OF the cheaper qualities.
upon which the duty is III per cent;
woolen goods OF the different descrip-
tions. upon which the duty ranges from
lo2 per cent on the better qualities and
sIo per cent on the cheaper qualities OF
fiannels up TO III per cent on the cheap
er qualities OF wooden or worsted shawls:
the cheaper quality OF blankets. upon
which the duty is I7s per cent: wool
hats. upon which the duty is III per
cent on the better qualities and 20, per
cent on the cheapest quality: ieits, upon
which the duty is Io4 per cent on the
better qualities and 224 per cent on the
cheapest quality; pulp. paper and books.
upon which the duty is 200 per cent.
The same table shows that upon 81
other articles. also OF general use. the
duty ranges from IS to 100 per cent In
this class are found wooden manufac-
lures. such as shawls. fiannels. blankets.
dress goods. cloths and ready made
clothing OF better quality than those
above enumerated in the class above 100
per cent: carpets OF different descrip-
tions. felts OF the higher qualities. pock-
ct knives OF better quality than those
enumerated in the class bearing above
100 per cent duty. glass and glassware
OF better quality than that enumerated
IN the higher duty class. starch. currants.
sugar. castor oil, spirit varnisi and many
other things that poor people have to
use.
There IS still another large class OF
more than 400 articles upon which the
duties are shown TO range from 30 TO
Is per cent This class embraces all
kinds OF cotton manufactures and fab
RIGS, refined sugar. upon which the duty
IS 70 per cent, umbrellas. parasols. etc,
cutlery. chinaware. porcelain. and other
earthenware. bread soda. and many 9th
er useful articles.
Thus II IS seen that within these three
classes OF articles. upon which the ad va
loren equivalent OF the duties levied
ranges from so to above 200 per cent,
are included the bulk of the articles con-
sumed by cur people. and especially the
poorer classes. and in fact the greater
portion OF the articles embraced in the
entire tariff schedules. Lower and NOM
inal duties placed upon number OF in
considerable articles OF which in the ma
ture OF things there are few importa-
tons. serve TO bring down the average
a duties. which. as already stated. is
deiusive