Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1883 — THE TARIFF BILL. [ARTICLE]

THE TARIFF BILL.

PtovMom of the Act a* Passed by the Senate.— General Bednetion of Thirty Per Cent. Estimated. The following is a full synopsis of the tiriff portion of the revenue bill as it passed the Senate: Schedule A.—Chemicals were reduced by the Tariff Commission from twentyfive to thirty per cent on existing rates The changes made by the Senate have been in the direction of further reduction. Phosphates and fertilizers have been placed on the free list. Deductions have been made upon nearly all drugs and dyes. The only exception is the increase made upon the extract of sumac to satisfy the Virginia sumac industry. The exceptional increases in this schedule are the restoration of lead products, zinc and spelter to the olu rates. The rest of the chemical schedule was reduced. Bichromate of potash was reduced to three cents, and anniline dyes to thirty-five per cent advalorem. This change is important to dyers and cotton manufacturers. A large number of chemicals now dutiable are placed on the free list by the Tariff Commission,and this number was considerably increased by the Senate." There was, however, an increase of the duty on saltpetre of half a cent a pound. Schedule B. Earthenware and Glassware.—The rates remain practically as reported by the finance committee with the exception that common window glass was reduced cent a pound. The rates of the committee were about 5 per cent less than the rates reported by the Tariff Commission, and were intended to be equivalent to the present rates. The Tariff Commission increased them on account of the abolition of the duties on packages and inland transportation. The Tariff Commission’s increase is 15 per cent advalorem. The Senate reduced this to 10 per cent and abolished charges and inland transportation, which the committee claim will make the rate of duty about five per cent less than the existing law, the reduction being entirely the effect of the abolition of the duty on packages and inland transportation. Schedule C. Metals—The rates adopted by the Senate are in some important particulars considerably lower than the rates reported by the tariff commission. Iron on remains at the same rate, fiftv cents a ton, as fixed by the tariff commission, which is about the present rate. Pig iron, wrought and scrap iron are reduced from $8 to $6.50 per ton; steel rails from S2B to $15.62 per ton. Bar iron is reduced on an average about *4 cents per pound. Russia sheet iron is reduced from 3 cents to 2 cents per pound. Sheet iron is reduced an average of cent per pound. Tin plates are reduced from 1 1-10 to 1 cent per pound. Cotton ties remain unchanged, and wire rods, iron and steel; the basis of barbed wire is substantially unchanged. Wire, steel and iron is reduced on an average of %of a cent per pound. The rate on all steel below 5o per pound in value, is fixed at 40 per cent ad valorem. This is an advance of 10 per cent on Bessemer blooms, and on all the lower grades 1 of steel, which under the present law are admitted as “steel not otherwise provided for” This statement of the increase, however requires explanation. The Treasury Department has assessed 45 per cent on this class of steel as “manufactures of steel not otherwise provided for.” The United States circuit court in New York has decided that this steel must be in simply as steel not otherwise provided for, at 30 per cent ad valorem. The increase of 10 per cent therefore, in the Senate bill is a reduction of 5 per cent on- the practice of the treasury, but an increase of 5 per cent over what the United States court says the law is. There is no doubt that the decision of the circuit court will be affirmed by the United States supreme court so that really this is a practical increase over existing law; the present rate "being 2% cents per pound on all enumerated steel valued at less than 7 cents per pound. The rates on steel above 5 cents per pound, and not above 7, are as under the present law. On steel valued at 7 to 9 cents per pound there is a reduction of % cent a pound on the present law; above 9 cents per pound in value, a reduction of % cent per pound. Steel in forms not specially provided for remain at 30 per cent ad valorem, the present rate. The non-enumerated classes of, manufacture of iron and steel are fixed at 35 per cent On all various enumerated forms of manufactures of iron and steel the rates adopted by the Senate are substantially those of the tariff commission, which are an average reduction of 20 per cent, below the present rates. Schedule E. Sugar—The reduction of sugar below No. 13 Dutch standard in cold# is about 18 per cent or 45-100 cents per pound. This would be a reduction of the revenue from sugar of $8,443,000 The reduction of sugar above No. 18 Dutch standard is about 28 per cent, of the present rates. This is a hq?er reduc-

tion on those above than those below* No. 13 Dutch standard. Schedule F. Tobacco.—The notable change in the tobacco schedule is the inci ease on tobacco used exclusively for wrapping, known as the Sumatra tobacco, from seventy-five cents to $1 per pound. Schedule G. Provisions.—Most of the articles in the schedule remain unchanged. Barley and malt are reduced five cents per bushel Rye is raised a quarter of a cent per pound. There is a light increase on oranges, and lemons and bananas are put on the free list. There is a large reduction in dried fruits, figs, raisins and sweetmeats. Oat meal is reduced one-half cent a pound. Chocolate and chicory are reduced. Schedule H. Liquors.—The notable change is an increase on the duty on champagne of one dollar per dozen quarts, and corresponding increase in pints. Schedule J. Cottons. —There is an average of about 35 per cent advalorem reduction on the'present rates. There is 'a general reduction upon all articles except ing the hosiery cotton laces, embroideries, lace window curtains, insertions and cotton velvet. These articles are all increased from 35 to 40 per cent, ad valorem. Hemp, jute and flax.—Raw hemp is increased from sls to S2O a ton, and jute butts put on the free list Schedule K. Woolens, —Tbe clothing and combing wools are reduced about ten cents on wool below thirty cents in value, and twelve cents on wools above thirty cents. Carpet wools are reduced one-sixth of the amount of the duties; from three cents to two and one-half cents for wools below twelve cents in value, and from six to five cents above the specific duty. Woolen goons and all manufactures of woolens are reduced on . an average to 35 per cent, ad valorem. The reduction on carpets is at least 35 per cent, on present rates. Schedule L. Silks. —The rates are reduced to fifty per cent ad valorem from sixty per cent,, the existing rates. Schedule M. Books.—Are reduced from twenty-five to fifteen per cent, ad valorem. Books in a foreign language are put on the free list Blank books and paper are reduced to twenty per cent, ad valorem. Schedule N Sundries.—The reductions generally average twenty-five per cent Coal was put at seventy-five cents per ton. the existing rate. Salt is reduced twenty per cent below the present rates, with a proviso that salt used in packing meats and fish shall be free, and the duty shall be remitted on salt used for curing purposes. This makes salt almost free except table salt The rate on hats and bonnets is reduced about thirty-three and a third per cent The reductions in the bill, it is estimated by the finance committee, will reach thirty per cent