The San Francisco call., 1898-05-15
THE TONNAGE TAX.

HILE the Democrats and the Populists Of \AI Congress have attacked the revenue bill mainly because of the provision of bond is- sue different of antagonists in the commercial cities of the East directing their efforts toward the elimination from the bill of the clause imposing an increased tonnage tax on shipping.
 According to the arguments of this class of oppo- the effect of the tonnage will be to obstruct commerce rather than to increase the to any great extent The Boston Herald says it is question able whether the would yield much as 8, 5oo,- 900 year. while it is fairly certain it would tend to increase shipments of wheat, pork and other West ern produce from Canadian ports and diminish those from ports The New York Times takes much the view of the probable effects ot the tax It declares the increased duty will be partcu lary vexatous to those who have pay it, and thus to some extent drive commerce from shores with out yielding any adequate recompense for the loss
 These arguments will have the more weight because at this time the urgent need of the country widely extended commerce We produce in almost all kinds of staple crops than can consume and require foreign markets for the surplus It is clearly. there fore, to interest to extend rather than to obsruct it, and if the proposed tonnage tax is to have the effects calculated by the commercial interests of New York and Boston it would be we'll to have the revenue bill amended in that respect
 It has been said of old however, that good argu- ments give way to better. In this 1t seems that the better arguments on the side of the framers of the revenue bill who proposed this among other taxes to raise revenue for the nation. During the debate the bill in the House Mr. Ding ley pointed that the increased tonnage tax would be no higher than that imposed by France, and but slightly higher than that imposed by Great Britain. It is calculated, therefore, to be the people of New York and Boston think, and conse- quently not likely to drive trade away from they fear.
 Another point made by Chairman Dingey is of the highest importance He directed attention to the fact that nineenths of the vessels engaged in the ocean carrying trade from ports of the United States of foreign ownership, and that if the war continues very long it is probable all of them will be- The proposed tax is therefore tax foreign shipping and will tend promote the building of American ships. This consideration had great ght with Congress and will have an equal effect with the people.
 The nation is at war and must raise large revenue to defray the cost All parts of the country must bear their share of it. and the commercial cities of the East ought not complain of the burdens which the pro posed increase in tonnage duties will place upon their interests Moreover the foreigner gains by carry ing American goods across the ocean, he might as well pay his share of carrying on the war
 
 Spanish efforts to approach the insurgents with friendly overtures do not wholly successful the response generally being volley The spanish them selves taught the Cubans the habit of dsregarding