Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-27
The Tariff Commission.

1t is announced that the programme
of the Tariff Commission has been decid-
ed on, and it is understood that body will
report in favor Of continuing the present
protective principle, but recommending
certain notifications of the tariff which
are deemed essential. 1t is possible that
a minority report, favoring tariff for
revenue only, may also be made to Con-
gress, but the large majority will recon-
mend the policy above outlined.
The country may be thankful to the
Ohio election, and, should the general
expectation of sweeping Democratic
victory on the 7th proximo be realized,
to the change in popular sentiment for
even this m easure of relief to the over
burdened public. The commission was
the outcome of a desire on the part of
the present Republican Congress to
shirk the whole question of tariff reform
until the public pulse ON the subject had
been felt. 1t was appointed with the
sole object of affording plausible pre-
text for maintaining the protective sys-
tenn, and doubtless should the people
indorse the party and the administration
which brought it forth, its report would
be decidedly in favor of even more
protection, since. like itself, protection
is the child of Radicalism The facts,
though, that a prohibitory tariff for pro
lection only, with revenue as an Incl
dent, has been seriously wounded ever
in the house of its friends N Ohio, and
that it is likely TO receive still greater
setback two weeks hence, have undoubt-
edly induced the commits ion to recon
slider the determination it had arrived at
before it took line Of testimony, and to
yield something to the popular will.
1t is by no means unlikely, either,
that the Republicans in Congress, pro-
vided the next House is Democratic,
may, this winter, attempt to steal Demo
cratic thunder by boldly advocating a
revenue tariff. This would be charac-
teristic of the Republican party. When
by means of economy in the management
of public affairs, and by wise legislation
generally, the Democratic Congresses
which preceded the present Republican
body, had brought order out of the
chaos into which Radical extravaganza
had plunged the country, and SO paved
the way for resumption of specie pay
ments, it was Republican admlnistra'
ton which did resume and then claim
ed all the credit therefor. So it
will likely be with tariff reform.
Congress, at its last session, positively
and obstinately refused to do anything
whatever for the relief of the masses.
Finding, however, that public sentiment
was aroused, it, as we have said, finally
consented to the appointment of this
commission, more as pretext for avoid
ing the perplexing question altogether
for a season at least, and evidently in
the hope that the protected barons, with
the assistance of Jayhubbellism, might
be able to control the fall elections.
Should they find this impossible, and
that the people are determined no longer
quietly to submit to pay the heavy
tribute exacted from them by the barons,
we may expect to see Radical Congress
men eagerly anxious to take time by the
forelock, and outherod Herod IN urging
Radical reform in our Ubiquitous tariff
system.
The Democrats should be watchful
and wary in this matter. A tariff for
revenue is essentially Democratic prin-
ciple, as protection is essentially favor
lite dogma of Radicalism. They can
checkmate the efforts of their opponents
to steal their capital if they will, and it
is to be hoped they will. One Of the
main great issues before the people in
1884 will be the question of tariff reform,
and the Democracy should see to it that
the Republicans be not permitted, after
they have fastened protection upon the
people so long as it was possible for
them TO do so, to claim credit for a
pretended regard for the public welfare,
which they did not manifest until they
found themselves deprived of power for
further evil.