The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-27
THE REyIsIoN OF THE TARIFF.

After the long and widespread discussion
in the press and on the stump Of the much
vexed question of the American tariff, it
seems as if something were going to be
done in the matter very soon by the present
Congress. Two bills are now before the
Senate fer the appointment or institution
of commission to handle the matter and
one or the other, in all likelihood will be-
come law. The patriotic legislators for
the Union are now enjoying their
Christmas holidays, but it is pro-
posed as soon us they r9assemble in Wash
ington to take up either Mr., Morrill's or
Mr. Garland's bill and give TO it, whichever
may he regarded best that attention de-
manded from the pressing and important
nature of the subject. 1t is said that Nor
rill's bill is to be reported, and If it does
not meet with the appreciation of the SEN
ate, the other bill on the same subiect
introduced by Mr., Garland, Of Arkansas.
will be taken up and considered.
The first mentioned provides for the APP
vi Il Vi illIC
bers, outside of Congress, and subject to
confirmation by the senate. The bill fur
ther provides that "this commission shall
investigate the condition of the country,
industIrally and commercially, with refer
ence to the tariff and internal revenue and
the report they submit shall be received by
Congress as the basis of the revision that is
to be egislsted upon" Thisisa practical and
common-sense way Of approaching the sub
ject, and the other, or Garland bill, also pro-
vides for commission whose duty it shall be
to give the whole matter proper study andin-
yestigation before final action shall be taken
by tho Congress. But Mr., Garland's meas
ure is for the appointment on the commits
sion of three Senators and three Represen-
tatiyes, together with the outsiders. This
last method strikes us as probably the bet
ter of the two. The idea of having the sub
ject first reviewed by practical intelligent
business men and outsiders is an exceed
ingly good one, and we are glad that in the
adoption of either Mr.. Morril's or Mr.. Gar
fields proposed bill this important feature
will be obtained. 1t will serve to render the
movement more national, non-sectonsl,
non-partisRn, and would free it from the
stigma of being scheme of the politicians.
But at the same time there should be some
members ofthe two Houses of Congress on il +,
in order that the legislation heretofore had
on the matter may be properly and
so that the most cautious and wide-awake
determinations only may he reached by the
commission. AS their suggestions will
probably be acted on, and greatly affect the
welfare of our country for some years to
come, it is but right that these commission
ers should represent both the business and
politics of the United States, and it is Cf|
equal Importance that neither the one nor
the other should manipulate the subject or
exercise an undue influence in the
premises. Most sincerely do we
trust that the wisdom of the present Con-
sress will dictate not only the very earliest
but the most thoughtful and practical con-
sideration of this question which has ever
since the foundation OF the government
played so conspicuous part in American
politics and has again become, after the
lapse of nearly century, one of the livest
and most momentous, but withal, one of
the least understood and vexatious OF tho
political issues of the day.