Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-15
Tariff Reform Pass The Garland
Rnl

Mr.. Morrill,, the champion OF the pro-
tectionists in the Senate and father OF
the ubiquitous tariff, which has so long
burdened the people, is fighting tooth
and nail against speedy consideration
of the subject of revenue reform. de
processes to favor revision OF the tarln,
but wishes to give the commission he
proposes ample time to consider the
question. In short, he wants the sub
iect put off till after the next Presi-
Dental election. In this he voices the
sentiments of the whole phalanx of pro-
tectio, lists, who profess to be eager for
proper changes, but, nevertheless, are
hopeful that they will be allowed their
opportunities to grow rich for few
years longer. They know full well that
tariff revision is merely a question OF
time, and they are now laboring to stave
off the day Of reform, though pretend
ing to be not averse to equitable modifi-
cations.
Messrs. Beck and Garland, in reply to
Mr.. Morrill's objections to prompt action.
showed pretty clearly that the whole
subject could be properly treated at the
present session. The protectionists pre-
tend that the question is one of infinite
nicely, and will require exceeding care
in its solution. The reverse of this is
true. There are men in both houses of
Congress-Messrs. Morrill, and Garland
in the Senate, and Messrs. Kelley and
Hewitt in the House for example, and
such men as David A. Welles and others
in civil life, who are masters of the
problem. These with number Of emf
nent citizens and representatives of the
various industries could speedily correct
the abuses in the tariff, and that is all
that is asked for Immediately.
The abandonment of the theory of
protection per sc is simply question OF
time. The need of new markets for our
surplus products, daily growing more
pressing, will necessitate reciprocity
treaties, and with each such treaty sec
ton of the wall of protection goes down.
Moreover, the expenses of the country, if
internal taxation is curtailed or abolish
ed, which is likewise question of time,
will require that the duties on imports
be laid so as to bring the greatest return
to the Treasury. To this end the tariff
must cease to be protective and become
a revenue tariff.
Again, the public mind, so far as it
has been swayed in the premises, has
been perverted by the gospel of protec-
ton, which has been preached inces-
sanity for decades past. Public thought
must be educated upon the question,
and the process is making fair progress.
Every inch of ground disputed by the
friends of reform in both parties is
so much gained towards the goal, and
every inch yielded to the clamor Of the
monopalists is so much lost.
Immediate action is called for by Mr..
Garland's bill, and, if it is passed, q
satisfactory report can be made upon
the subject in the course of few weeks
and a beginning can be made. The
Democrats in the Senate owe it to the
people and to themselves to make a
stern fight for the principle they have
so often proclaimed and spare no effort
to secure the passage of the Garland bill
Once brought up, the question can be
settled and taken out of politics
STAYED off, it must be fought ou at the
polls. In the meantime the ber Charles
of the tariff would prosper and its vic
tins suffer.