The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-06-14
THE rARIEr COMMISSION.

Il
in accordance with the bill creating the
tariff commission are exciting, and justly
too, much uniavorable comment in all eA'
cept protectionist quarters. 1t was thought,
and as we understand the spirit of the bill,
intended that the commission should faith
fully represent the various conflicting views
on the subject in this country-high tariff
revenue tariff and free trade. Instead ol
this we see commission organized, we
might almost say from its composition
directly in the interests Of protection and
the continuance OF the present costly and
hurtful system. 1t is not to be wondered
at then that the large body of American
voters who are opposed to the unjust dis
tinctions of the present tariff, should fee
indignant and aggrieved at the recent ap
pointments. On the other hand, such rank
protectionists as Mr.. MORRILL, and JuDGf
KELLEY express themselves as highly
pleased with the commission as consti
tuted, and applaud the president
for what they term his "wise and
judicious selections" This is of itself suf
iicient evidence of what may be expected
as the report Of the commission. After
some two or three years labor at great ex.
pense and trouble to the government, a bill
will be reported making some slight and
immaterial changes, and unless met vigor
ously and voted down by the good sense Of
the representatives Of the people, will pass
into law and the country will 60 on groan
ing under its present burdens. 1t is only
necessary to look at the appointees to sus
tain our position. Mn. WHEELER is protec.
zionist; JUDGE UNDERWOOD, of Georgia, is q
protectionist JonN l.. HAYES and HENRY
w. OLIVER, both recommended by manu-
featuring interests, are protectionists OF &
pronounced type, as Is also ROBERT J. Pom
TER; Mr.. AMBLER and E1-GovERNoR PHELps
are termed moderate men," while MEssRs
GARLAND and kENNER represent respect
lively the wool-growers and the sugar.pro
ducing industry. 1.-THE revenue tariff ad
yocates or free-traders can get any salts
faction out Of the above appointments
we fail to see where it is to b,
found. 1t is, so far as appearan
ces go, but means of at one and the SAME
time allaying the clamors of the enemies o
protection by promises of correcting tn,
evils complained of, yet fastening tn,
chains still tighter about them by wha
will be called an impartial report after al
Investigation of the whole question" The
creation Of this commission but shows how
idle and futile are all attempts to reach the
rottenness of high tariffs in the circum
scribed halls of legislation where
the lobby is all but supreme
Every fact in this matter ha,
been ignored by the president, but tn,
one which has been kept steadily in view
that our tariff is on the books to stay
changed it may DO to very limited extent
but there still, and still throwing its pro
tecting shield over the Infant industries, >
while the sweat and substance Of the masse.
are continuing to pay the premium upon
the stupidity and injustice which it repre-
sents. The people will learn after while
what we have all along contended
that the only means of obtaining re-
lief in the premises is by popu.
lar agitation, making this one
question to over.shadow all others and
demanding an unqualified expression Of
opinion thereon. In this way alone will
the question Of tariff for revenue only or
free trade ever be settled in this country.
Many good men and journals have been
holding back so far, hoping that when the
great tariff commission was organized the
present troubles would be practically at an
end and that such reforms could then be
nationally anticipated as would relieve
the pressure upon the nation and wipe
out the iniquities that enrich the
few while they impovcrish the many,
but such hopes are now certainly dashed to
the ground by PRESIDENT AIrnug's recent
action. We trust the effect will be TO
strengthen the free trade movement, ant
pflhg IL that much sooner before the people
at large, so that we may certainly know
whether it is proposed still to pay between
90 and 100 per cent, additional costs for all
we buy, and thereby enable the monop.
olists to make IS per cent, on their invest
ments, or whether the whole rapacious sys.
TEN is to be swept away.