The Tariff Bill

The muchmoted tariff bill has finally been submitted. It is very voluminou covering CO pages, and its framers estímate tbat, if passed it would reduce taxation about $flO.000,(!O0 annually. Michigan interest are the first feature of the bill, lumber of every kind, in logs, sawed or manufactured, going on the free list. with the proviso thnt no country shall have tliis privilege that charges export duty on íts loes. Snit is the aecond item of the bill. and is made free, when imported from anv country which does not charge an import duty upon salt exported from the United States. Copper ore and raw wool are also free, and manufactured woolen goods get a big cut. Ko internal revenue chnnges are pro posed by the bill. Tho subject wiis lef t, purposely, for lack of time, to the consideration of the full committee. It is rumored, too, that the democratie members are preparing an internal revenue bill to be submitted at an earlv day. 'i he penalties are made more stringent for bribery or feeinginsppctorsof customs or for any irregularities in inspection of baggage. The government is aut.horized to bring Ruit for the value of merchandise fraudutently importod aftur such merchandise has passed into the hands of the importer. The other provisions are all of a minor character. Of the reductions made by the bill, amounting to from i'fl,000,Ü00 to $(50,000,001) per year, $22,000,000 is cauned by additioiii to the free list. $12,000,000 from reductions on woolens, $l1.00n.(XX) froin reductions on sugar, í:,000,000 on metáis, $1,000.000 on sundrie, aml $1,OJO,COJ on cotton. The framers claim that it removes inconsistences of the present tariff in a spirit of fairness to all industries; that it breaks up trusts corners and other dishonest combinations, and that it warrants no disturbance of business and causes no injury to established intsrests. Free fish was omitted from the bill for the purpose of relieving it from the diplomatic questions which would have been involved.