Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-21
The Coming Democratic Free-Trade
Campaign.

The people of Pennsylvania are alarmed at
the prospect OF revival in Congress of the free
trade question. Judge Kelley, in speech at
republican meeting the other evening, said that
the southern question will not be the only one
of importance to enter into the campaign of next
year. He predicted that a movement against
protection, and in favor of free trade, will be
made along the entire democratic line There
is no spirit of prophecy whatever in Judge Kel-
ley's statement; 1t is fact, based no doubt upon
his personal observation in Congress last win
ter. There is no man, certainly, within the re-
publican party, more capable of telling the peo-
pie what the democrats mean to do on this
question than Judge Kelley. He Is member OF
the House committee on ways and means, and at
the meetings OF that committee has heard the
democratic members thereof express themselves
upon free trade and announce their future policy
HE'S not at liberty to make public what occurred
In the committee room; If he We're, he might
startle the protectionists of Pennsylvania with
some positive information. 1t is as much the
determination of the democratic majority in
Congress to attempt the passage Of a tariff bill
this winter as it is to take their seats in that
body. That has been determined upon, and it
Is supported by all the democratic members of
both houses, except those from Pennsylvania
and one or two from the New England states.
Not few OF the leaders urged a movement
against protection and In behalf of free trade at
the extra session, and the matter was several
times before the committee on ways and means
The discussion upon the political questions hent
pending was protracted to such an extent that
the democrats were admonished against pro-
longing the session, and the tariff subject was
dropped with the general understanding that it
should be taken up this winter and pressed to a
conclusion. With the detection of the Pennsyl-
wanna members the democrats orc NOT ctrono
enough, within themselves, to pass a tariff bill,
but they can count upon the votes of majority
of the greenback members; and those who have
studied the situation closely maintain that few
western republicans will support a '!good" bill
OF this character. The measure must original
In the committee on ways and means, which
consists Of Messrs. Fernando Wood Tucker
Gibson, Phelps, Morrison, Mills Carlisle and
FELTON,, democrats, and MesSrs. Garfield, Conger
Kelley, Frye and Dunnell, republicans. Dis
cussions of the question during the executive
session developed the fact that every democrat
except Phelps favored a revision of the tariff
laws, while every republican opposed it.
Mr.. Phelps opposition seemed to be
more to the consideration of the sub
ject at that time than against the proposed
tariff revision ITSELF and his democratic COL
leagues held that at the proper time-meantng
the regular session this winter-he would sup
port free trade bill. With the exception of
Messrs. Wood and Phelps-who are considered
moderate in their viewS-all the other demo
cratic members Of the committee are extreme
free traders The democratic members pro-
claim themselves in favor of a tariff for reve-
! nue. only" and they will undoubtedly report to
the House this winter a bill to revise the tariff
and will urge its passage. II the people of Penn
sylvania intend to make this question an issue
they may as well begin now; the tariff revision
question will be forced upon them by the demo-
Gratis