Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-07
PROGRESS ON TBE TARIFF BuL.

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The progress made on the tariff bill In
the senate seems to warrant the expecta-
ton that 1t will pass that body early In
July, IL not by the end of the current
fiscal year, but 1t must be borne In mind
that the schedules over which the hard
est fight will be made are yet TO be con-
sidered. The sugar duties and the wool
and wooden duties will undoubtedly be
subjects of prolonged debate, while the
tea and hide duties and the increased
taxes on beef and tobacco will cause a
vigorous contest.
The sugar schedule will he taken up
this week If Senator Aldrich Is well
enough TO be in the senate, or its consid-
Grafton may go on without him, as NAM
senator's are anxious to have this per-
picking and troublesome feature of the
bill disposed of. 1t is said that the re-
publicans OF the finance committee will
probably submit Il modification of the
schedule and they certainly will If they
are disposed to give any heed to the
general sentiment regarding it in well
informed quarters. II is hardly possible
that the schedule as reported can pass
he senate and it seems to be absolutely
certain that it would not be accepted by
the house. The conviction is general
that the sugar duties us arranged by the
senate finance committee are nut only
highly favorable to the Sugar trust, but
would fail to yield the revenue esti-
mated. The nd yalorem duty Is espe-
clally Objectionable. as affording an op-
%portunity to the Importers of sugar to
cheat tho government, as they have been
doing for the past three years, through
differentiation. 1t would enable the
importers to cut down the revenue OF
the government to the lowest possible
point by bringing in the cheapest sugars
at an ad valorem duty aud then to turn
arouna ana squeeze the greatest amount
out of the American people by complete
control over the market. But while this
is a fatal objection to the senate sugar
schedule, it Is not the only objection, so
hat there will have to be u general
modification.
In regard to wool there will probably
be Il compromise between the duties of
the house bill and the senat bill. The
speech of Senator Mantle a few days
ago undoubtedly voiced the general sen
timent of the wool producers. They are
not satisfied with the rates proposed by
the senate finance committee and while
they would prefer the house rates they
will probably be content with Il COM
promise and ii is pretty safe to say
that such will be the outcome of the
contest over this schedule. The pro
posed duty on hides may also have to be
settled by compromises. while as to the
duty on tea and the increased taxes on
beer and tobacco, they are more thar
likely to be rejected, there being con
siderable republican opposition to them
in the senate and more among the re-
publicans of the house.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the eX-
ceptionally rapid progress that has been
made with the tariff bill in the senate
does not necessarily indicate a continu-
ance of this expedition. However. the
opposition having thus far made good
the assurance given that it would moi
by obstructive tactics delay the measure
ana would coniine itself to fair and req
sonnble discussion, there is reason 70
cNpect that the country will have a new.
tariff law early in the next fiscal year.
which begins July /.