The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-06-05
A Tariff Commission.

Hon. Charles n Fowler, of New Jersey,
has introduced in the House of Representa-
tives at Washington bill ''to establish a
tariff commission for the purpose of investi-
eating Federal taxation, recommending
changes therein, and adjusting any inequali-
ties in existing law
We have received a copy of the bill, with
letter from Mr. Fowler, in which he remarks
''that the American people of all sections, of
all parties, of every calling, and of all classes,
are tired and heartily sick of tariff tinkering
and the consequent disturbance, if not actual
destruction of all lines of usiness.
This is true. We have now a fair tax bill,
so far as it produces revenue for the support
of government economically administered,
and the Republican tariff bill now pending is
needless disturbance to business. The
present tariff law would yield ample revenue
if business conditions were normal, and more
than enough if proper economy we're exer-
cised in public expenses. Salaries are out ct
all proportion to the compensation for similar
service in private life, and there are too many
officeholdePs In the present financial straits
of the people, and the low prices of farm pro-
ducts, the Congress should cut off all appro-
priations possible.
1t is not more taxation the people need,
but more money. Prosperity cannot be in
augurated by imposing additional burdens
upon the people. and the mills cannot long be
kept open because the people have not the
money to buy their products, especially if the
price of the products be enhanced by IN
creased tariff protection.
Mr.. Fowler's tariff commission bill is I'M
constitutional, because the Congress has no
right to delegate its power. The Congress
alone can legisIate, and the power cannot be
transferred to a tariff or other commission,
with the approval of the President, to sus-
pend any part or the whole of any tax upon
imports or of any internal tax which may
have been imposed by the Congress, as is
provided by the third section.
1t is true that the Supreme Court held the
reciprocity clause of the Mckinley law of
1890 constitutional, which gave the President
the power to impose or remit taxes under GER
tain contingencies, but that power is proposed
to be given to commission. And it must be
remembered, too, that the Supreme Court is
composed mainly of Republicans, who have
very liberal views of government and dele
gated powers.
Mr.. Fowler's ideas are correct as to the
business disarrangement consequent upon
tariff tinkering, but his remedy is not practi
cable. And we do not know any remedy.
if it were possible to have Senators chosen
for life, that body would contain statesmen
instead of mere partisans. We do not mean
to say there are not statesmen now in the
Senate-the most of them are, but under the
present system their craftsmanship and broad
views are hampered by party necessity. With
life tenure, party would be lost sight of and
the greatest good to the greatest number
would be the governing principle in all legis-
lation. Trusts and monopolies could not
flourish by government aid and river and
halbor appropriations and appropriations for
public buildings would not be voted merely to
help some Representative to secure public
favor and reelection. The public good alone
would be considered, but life tenure for SEN
ators is as impracticable as Mr.. Fowler's
proposed tariff commission, under our system
of government, with power to suspend in
whole or in part any federal tax.
Not only is Mr.. Fowler's bill uncOnstitu-
tional, but there is no possible chance of 1t
being considered because Gar Reed has de-
creed no business shall be done at this ses-
sion, except the passage of tariff law whose
object is protection to monopofies and trusts
and revenue an incident.