Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-03-19

and those of wooden goods more than
! twice as great in pounds as in 1893, the
committee assume that their excessive i'm
portation would be largely reduced by the
proposed bill, although the fact that our
domestic production of wool has dimin-
ished eight million pounds since 1893 will
neCessitate the importation of much more
wool now-than in the latter year. Assum-
| ing that the importations of wool will fall
off at least one-third from those of 1896 on
account of anticipatory imports to avoid
duties, we place the increased revenue
from this source at $11 ,000,0 900.
Anticipating also that the imports of
woolens will fall off nearly 80 per cent
from the enormous imports of 1896, we es-
innate the increased revenue from this
source under the proposed rates at about
S14, 100000. From sugar we estimate
100000 additional revenue. Antici-
pating a considerable falling off of imports
of Havana tobacco, because of the revolu-
tion in Cuba, we reduce the estimates of
additional revenue to be derived from the
tobacco schedule to $4,000 900. The re-
naming schedules would afford a revenue
of about S39, 100000 on the basis of the
imports of 1896, but as there would prob
ably be diminished imports at some points,
although the gradual restoration of busi-
ness activity would offset this by increas-
ing the consumption of imported uxuries,
we reduce the estimate on these TO S31,-
100000 These would aggregate an addi-
tional revenue of SS0,000, 600 the first year.
A further reduction of five or ten mil
lions for contingencies would leave S70,-
600, 600 to S7j, 600, 600 as the probable in
creased revenue from this bill the first
year, which would undoubtedly rise to
$1,000 600 the second year.
This increase Of revenue is secured by
transferring wool, lumber, crude opium,
argOs, paintings and statuary, straw orna-
ments, straw mattings, burlaps and various
other articles from the free list of the pres
ent law to the dutiable list by increasing
the duty on woolens to compensate the
manufacturer for the duty placed on wool;
by raising the duty on sugar about three
fOurths of cent per pound in order to en-
courage the production of sugar in this
country, which, it is believed, can be done,
and thus give our farmers a new crop
which we now import mainly from abroad;
By increasing the duty on agricultural
products affected by Canadian competition
and on fine cotton goods, some advanced
manufactures of iron and steel, manufac-
lures OF jute, flax and hemp, in order to
and especially by increasing duties on such
luXuries as liquors, tobacco, silks and aces,
etc.
In the agricultural, wool, glass and
earthenware schedules alone are the duties
of the act of 1890 fully restored, as a rule,
and in few cases increased, with the
view of amply protecting and encouraging
our farming interests at every possible
point. While the duty on clothing wool
is larger in proportion TO the foreign value
than on manufactured articles, yet it is
thought desirable for the public interest
and for our agriculture that we should
produce this prime necessity for ourselves.
The duty on carpet woods, as well as upon
many other articles, is imposed mainly for
revenue.
In framing this new tariff the aim has
been TO make the duties specific, or at
least partly specific, as far as possible to
protect the revenue and also to protect our
own industries.
The reciprocity provisions of the act of
1890 have not only been fully restored but
this policy has been extended by adding to
sugar, tea, coffee and hides as articles on
which to make reciprocal agreements, such
articles as champagne, brandy, wines, arti-
fetal and natural mineral waters chicle,
| argols and silk laces.
The bill as a whole has the unanimous
support of the Republican members of the
ways and means committee, and will, it is
hoped, receive the support not only of Re
publicans but of others who believe that
revenues should be at least equal to eXpen-
ditures, with small surplus added, and
who are patriotic enough to entertain the
conviction that in adjusting duties to Sc
cure such revenue it is wise policy to en-
courage home production and manufac-
lures, and thus provide employment at
good wages for the wage earners of our
people, upon whose purchasing power de-
pends the market for our products.
NELSON DNGLEY, JR..
Chairman Committee of Ways and
Means, House of Representatives.