Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-01-07
COMMERCIAL.
GAZETTE OFFICE, january 9, 1888

GAZETTE OFFICE, January @, 1888.
The proceedings of the Forty
seventh Congress are pregnant with
interest TO the industrial and CONNER
cial element Of the American people
directly, and to the masses indirectly.
The present may appropriately be
styled IA business session. The Re
pubicans read i'm their recent reverses
ut the ballot box the verdict of the peo-
Pile for reform and cessation of pal
tering methods in dealing with SUI
preme questions of policy agitating
the public mind; and the Democrats,
needing the admonition, are mani
Testing disposition for business legi
lation. Contention over technical Ill :
ferences has practically ceased, and
both parties are addressing themselves
to the task of redeeming the promises
made to the people that
the second session of the Forty
seventh Congress should be devoted To
the interests of the country and the
people. The senate, in order that its
members might have an opportunity
to explode. the surcharge of elo-
quence in furtherance of civil service
reform and debate on the bill for the
relief of Icitz John Porter, pretermitted
ceeded in passing the Pendleton bill,
and is now ready to proceed with leg
slation of material consequence. The
deliberation eviaced by the separate
branches g. the law-making power in
dealing with the intricate and COM
pick problem of the tariff and internal
revenue is an suspicious omen. Ill
advised and precipitate legislation III
these momentous issues might infiict
an injury to the commerce and indus
tries of the country which the most
prophetic cannot now foresee Whether
or not any measures for the moditica-
ton of the tariff and internal revenue
laws will be enacted during the
next seven weeks of the existence OF
the Forty-seventh Congress, is q ques-
| ton regarding which there are notable
differences of opinion. 1t is certain,
however, that measures have been de-
vised contemplating this end. The
| ways and means committee OF the
house have already reported bill TO
abolish the revenue on tobacco, and
are diligently revising and modifying
| the report of the tariff commission;
and the finance committee Of the SEN
ate have submitted n bill designed to
accomplish the purpose of tariff legis-
lation. The chairmen of these respect
i've committees, Pig Iron" Kelly
and Judge Morrill,, are avowed pro
tectionists, and it may be reasonably
anticipated that they will exert what
ever influence attaches to their posi-.
ton, to direct results in accordance
with their peculiar views. The senti
ment Of some members for revision
may be too pronounced fol
liberal notifications and there
by provoke hostile opposi
entirely. devolving the duty and til,
responsibility upon the ensuing con
gress. Clamor of the protectionist'
forthe repeal of the tobacco tax and thu
reduction of internal revenue on Other
commodities, is an ingenious ant
covert art to maintain intact the pro
tective tariff. They perceive that in
the event of the repeal of the revenue
laws, n sweeping revision Of the stat
utes affecting the tariff would call into
question the probability of deficiency
in the general revenues-a considera
i ton which Of course would constrair
congress to adopt for period the
policy of ldisse<-fdire with respect t.
the customs But it Is not probable
the specious pleadings OF the high
tariff advocates will avail materially
in the face of the unequivoca
expressions of the people, thu
recommendation of the tariff
commission, the suggestions of Presi
dent Arthur, and the spirit of the PEG
PIES representatives The question il
n profound one, and as long rs it II
agitated is calculated TO disturb, in ,
qualified degree, the business of TIT
country. Manufacturers and business
. are alike affected, and the elements
of uncertainty of results must pervad'
their calculations until decisive actor
is taken by congress.