New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-15
duties by several Democratic Senators has

duties BY several Democratic Senators mas
changed the situation materially since the Sen
ate committee reported 1t has placed the Re-
publican Senators In position to decide with
far greater freedom what adjustment OF duties
is needful for revenue and also for protection.
Hence the tendency toward closer agreement
with the adjustment proposed by Republicans
of the House is not surprising.
The difficulty about revenue, as all are aware,
springs from the decision to put aside the clause
making new duties applicable to imports after
April i, but the proposal OF Senator Spooner to
continue In specific form the present duties upon
refined sugar for some months, while higher
duties on raw sugar are enforced, does not ap-
pear to help toward larger revenue. 1t would
indeed deprive those who have imported half
years supply of raw sugar in the main OF the
advantages which would result from the power
TO market ii in refined form at price COM
mensurate with the future duties on imported
raw, but even that effect would not be attained
unless the refined should be for some months
excepted from the operation Of the clause put
ting countervailing duties on products OF bounty
paying sugar. Nor could the same principle be
applied with advantage to industries which VIII
for months have to contend against large stocks
of imported finished products. The question or
revenue proves SO troublesome that it may yet
be found well to consider whether the method
adopted by the House was not more just ana
fair an well as more advantageous TO the Gov
eminent, than any substitute
The duties on imports can certainly DE SO
adjusted without that provision as to yield con-
sideraby more revenue than would be yielded
under the amendments proposed by the Senate
committee The tobacco duty was reduced by
the committee % per cent below the Mckinney
rate ON wrappers and to the rate Of the present
Democratic tariff and in 1893 no less than
81 125OG3 was collected under the rate OF 1870.
The duty on cigars was also reduced 90 cents
below the rate OF 1890. thus presumably sacrl-
fclng considerable revenue Nor has any clear
reason been given for reducing from 81 % in the
Mckinley act and the House bin to 81 % the
duty on brandy and spirits. and the REVENGE
thus sacrificed would be considerable. The du-
ties on burlaps and grain bags have also been
reduced, apparently sacrificing several hundred
thousand dollars Of revenue. 1t is not improD-
able that an adjustment may be reached on the
wool schedule which will more nearly suit the
views Of many Senators and at the same time
yield larger revenue.
1t Is not the desire Of Republicans anywhere
10 emDarraSS their Representatives III eitH'i
branch Of Congress, but only to aid them as far
as possible, and the difficulties with which they
have to contend especially in the Senate. are
not overlooked But there IS now reason to
hope that those difficulties have been in some
measure removed by the decision OF certain DEM
ocratic Senators TO support the Republican pro
tective tariff if fairly adjusted with reference
to the needs Of their States. If the Republicans
are thus enabled to act more freely in respect
to the raising Of revenue by duties on imports
rather than by other taxes. It IS not doubted
that they will welcome the opportunity. Nor
will it be forgotten that a full and ample reve-
nue. for the next year. and from the outset, is of
the utmost importance. But on some of the
items specified it does seem that higher import
duties would help in that direction, and perhaps
enough to remove the need Of new internal tax
alton