Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-17
HIS WORK INDICATED.

MT. Dlngley lived 10 see the WORK ne
had done and with which his ability as
a legislator will be always associated
in the history of the revenue legislation
of the United States, indicated by re-
suits. The tariff bill he framed is con
coded by competent judges to be the
most scientific measure of the kind this
country ever had and while changed
conditions may require its modification
in some important respects, 1t was un-
q~uestionably wise and sound legislation
for the time of its enactment. Its i'm
mediate effect was to reinvigorate the
industries Of the country and to create
Il demand for labor which has been
beneficial to the working classes of the
United States beyond computation. 1t
did not at once produce sufficient reve-
nue. to put an end to deficits and 1t was
not expected to. Its distinguished au-
thor did not promise that in the first
year of its operation the returns from
it would cause deficits to disappear, be-
cause with the large amount OF dutia-
bic merchandise rushed into the coun-
try while the bill was pending 1t was
impossible to accomplish this. But he
believed that 1t would be indicated as
a revenue measure before h expira-
ton of the second year Of its opera
ton and such is the case. The revenue
legislation before the war with Spain
Is now yielding receipts equal to the
ordinary expenditures of the govern
ment.
The total revenues Of the government
from all sources during the calendar
year 1893 amounted to $44O, ,45S. 1t
is estimated that the special war taxes
produced in the neighborhood of $780,
co., 600. Deducting this and the $14,-
100000 that accrued to the government
from the Pacific railway settlements
from the entire government income
and there remains about $685., OOO, 0OO
of revenue, or $1,OOO,0OO of receipts for
every day in the year, almost exactly
the amount of expenses of the govern
ment in time of peace. Referring to
these figures, the New York Mail and
Express says it thus appears that the
Dingley bill has perfectly accomplished
the purpose for which it was intended,
at has almost completely covered the
treasury deficit which came down to the
government as a legacy from the
Wilson-Gorman tariff and it has at the
same time set in motion scores OF
productive industries which ~languished
i'm hopeless idleness under the baleful
influence of a free trade adm'inistra'
ton. The Dingley bill has been
splendidly indicated by the hard logic
of experience" 1t is one Of the best
examples of wise constructive states
manship in our history.
1t is possible that this law, the opera
ton of which has thus far had such
satisfactory results, will nave tc
undergo some changes and modifica
tons. The changed conditions since il
was enacted may render this eXpedi
ent If not absolutely necessary. Bu'
free traders who are anticipating al
early abandonment Of the principle EN-
bodied in that law are doomed to dis
appointment. There will be no "Oper
door, policy for the great American
market in the neal future. The pro
lection accorded to some industries
may be reduced, but no American in
dustry that must meet foreign compe
tition will be deprived Of the advan
tage in the home market which the pro
tective policy gives, at least so long al
the republican party Is in power.