This means that some new tax will be imposed upon us, for the Government must have the money it needs, and the people must help to make up what is lacking.
The friends of the Dingley Bill hope that the custom receipts will increase, and think that the reason they have been so small is that the merchants brought so much stuff into the country before the bill went into effect, that they have not needed to get fresh supplies so far. In short, they claim the Dingley Bill needs a longer trial.
The enemies of the measure point out that, as a means of providing an income for the Government, the Dingley Bill has been a failure.
We told you about the discussion as to the exact hour at which the bill became a law.
The question is not as yet settled.
The importers, if you remember, declared that the bill only became a law from the exact hour it was signed; the Government insists that it was a law from early morning of the day on which it was signed.
Seventy-three importers have protested against paying duty for all day July 24th, because the bill was not signed until six minutes past four in the afternoon.
It is expected that a final decision will be given shortly, which will put an end to the disagreement.
Side by side with the fact that there is not enough money in the treasury to meet the country's expenses, the armor-plate question has come into prominence once more.