Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-14

Thursday Morning, August Is, 1916.
RICH MOND, VA.
TARIFF POLITICAL CAPITAL.

i
We have attempted 10 show that the ccaseless
and violent efforts oil The Tariff politicians 10 de-
teal any modification OF The law OF 1912, were in
hnenced more by regard 10 The future political
prospects of the Wing Party, Than by sincere
regard for american Industry" We have
brought forward evidence, that the leading Wing
papers protested against any modification OF the
law as it has passed They .tubbornly insisted
upon line Tariff of l542, and would take nothing
less. MIR. Webster had prepared compromise,
which was acceptable 10 the lobby-member ma
nufaclurers at Washington. This measure, in
their view, would have preserved them from The
sruin" predicted by the Wings, ard would have
secured the principle OF protection for which
they contend. Mr.. Webster, in his letter 10 the
manufacturers on the compromise, writes
81 am happy 10 learn that you concur with
me in thinking that the proposition which have
prepared, as an amendment 10 the pending bill, -
suited TO the present condition ofthe country, and
will probably be acceptable, under the circum-
stances, TO those concerned in all The great do
mestic and industrial pursuits; or, At least, that
they can live under il. My own judgment is en-
lrely clear and satisfied on the subject"
Did this compromise, thus strongly endorsed,
meet the acquiescence Of the Wing politicians
So far from ii, that the correspondent the Phi
ladeIphia Gaze!te denounced The "arrogance" OF
the manufacturers who had concocted it, The
Wing Senators were consulted by Mr.. Webster
and their refusal to sustain il discouraged his far
Their efforts in its behalf The Tariff politicians
assert, that the law as il passed will ruin The ma
nufaclurers; yet trey preferred this result TO
compromise OF an ioa Of The heavy protection OF
the Tariff of 1912. Their design seems 10 have
been 10 keep The Tariff question an open one, as
an efficient engine 10 raise panic and influence
the elections. Political power, and not The int
rest of"American Industry" was their object
This was the game played by them North and
South. The following extracts give an insight
into their diplomacy. They have made the Issue
between Protection and Free Trade. We mis-
take lie people i: they Go not support the action
oil the late Congress especially when they see
that the movements q! The Tariff papers were
guided more b. The political effect Of The proceed
inss of Congress, than by their protested regard
for the prosperity Of the manufacturing interest.
The n. Y. Tribune, in the teeth Of Mr. Web
s,er's decided judgment says:
eve believe the manufacturing interest," as
whole, is in a 5sttcr position This day Than il
would have been il The proposed compromise had |
passed, by the accession TO The Wing strength Of
lust enough Loco Focos TO carry il, as il must |
have passed if al all.
I'VE do not think The Tariff could have been |
properly readjusled in The arbitrary manner pro-
posed BY The compromise in question. Pialn COT
ion fabrics, Tor example, could have borne the re-
duclion proposed without feeling il, while prints |
ginghams, and many descriptions OF woo!len>,
would have been seriously affected. And all The |
evil results OF such compromise lcoald hare been
sedulonsis charged upon tie Wa'gs"
The New Orleans Tropic has the following
uuequivocal article showing the political advaD-
,age The Wing papers look Tor from the action Of
Democratic Congress
"TAsrSc THE RIGHT yiEw.-We have al,cays
teen in itor Of the passage Of the free trade bA6e-
fare Conyress. and shall leel under no obligation,
10 cur Wing Senators, if they efec, cumpro-
mise. We are rLzd n sse cur contemporaries tuk-
ing o,lr uis,- OF the subject.
aThe Motiie Advertiser sure days since ex- |
pressed desire hat The bill would be- passed
The Norfolk Herald Of July 81 has the follow
ing :.
asWe are of the opinion ofths New York Til
hume. that The friends Of protection in Congress
would do well to listen 20 M compromise upon The /
bill now before Congress; but bearing in mind
tha, they &C, no! for 10 day, nor for lwo years,
leave the Administration 10 break down the Ia
riff they can, SO that We may go 10 the people |
al once on distinct issue of Protection against
Free Trade III the people are with us, this
will give them hear, and energy for the struggle |
which, after all, IS inevitable if against as, we
scorn 10 take anything al the mercy OF our adver-
sar;es.'"
-orn,@.- pY,arIrpNS Tho Weslern