The daily gazette., 1883-03-10
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THE NEW TARIFF.
The Hodge-POdge Measure That Was
Patched up by the Recent Congress.


The n Hodge-POdge Measure That Was
Patched up by the Recent Congress.
New York SUM-
WASHINGTON, March Had not the
Tariff Conference Committee adjusted the
sugar scale so as TO please Louisiana, Con-
gress would have adjourned with nothing
done. But when the bill was sweetened
with what is practically prohibitory rate
on sugar Of the grade Louisiana produces,
the scene shifted Senator Kellogg reversed
himself. Instead of proceeding to execute
his intention TO talk the report to death,
he espoused 1t, and his vote carried the day
In the Senate.
So much for political economy and the
triumph oi principle in the passage OF the
Tariff bill The bribe to sugar did 1t. Even
then the result hung on the vote Of Senator
Mitchell, who thought he was paired, and
in SO thinking thought wrong. The error
saved the bill Another triumph of politi-
cal economy as applied to practical legisla-
zion on customs duties p
Five hours before the report was agreed
on by the conference committe, there was
scarcely any prospect of an agreement. 1t
was. meant there should be ones kilograms
began to pour In from party leaders to the
Republicans in Congress. "Don't adjourn
without doing something" said score.
"Give us something aud call it reform"
was the substance of many more. The cry
In general was for the party. The correct
view of duties and taxation hardly entered
into the account.
Toward the last hour John Sherman said:
"Leu us fix up something that will suit this
demand" 1t was to be a desperate effort
to save the party, it mattered little what.
The work of patching up something that
would carry, not for any merit 1t might
have as piece of true tariff work, but as a
device for party advantage, was begun.
The immediate idea was how to get votes
enough TO put some sort Of a bill through.
Up to that time the let-things-go- by the
board idea was the dominant one in the
House. But under the kilograms and the
outside pressure to do something, there was
a weakening.
When the committee brought in their
patchwork, the idea of doing something and
not much matter what, II II only had the
appearance OF reform, had got all other
ideas pretty well ON the run. The plan of
the protectionists of letting well enough
alone, as they called the do-notaing policy,
was upset.
1t was for this plan that Blaipe's help had
been summoned by the Pennsylvania pro-
tectionists. From iirst to last they had
scarcely exerted the courage to avow 1t. 1t
was secretly worked for, and under various
| ulsgulseS. hnen Tue report vi lne NOH-
ference Committee came in, large part OF
the plan failed, for the leading point was to
achieve the victory through disagreement.
The agreement OF the conference managers
was the tocsin of defeat.
After that it was not much use to con-
tinue the fight, though 1t was kept up with
show of vigor by Representatives from
high protection districts. AS 1t was, the
bribe to sugar and the alleged mistake as tc
his pair by Senator Mitchell carried the re
port in the Senate.
1T is law, but what is it As patchwork
solely, it may serve the purpose of tn
makers. But as an intelligent treatment o
the question of customs IL is mass o
crudities which Inever will be tolerated
Probably not five men in Congress had any
clear idea of what they were voting for-no
not one, even, taking the bill as a whole
for it is an imposibility for any man t
understand it,
John Sherman idea, expressed since tn
adjournment, is that the country demande
something. SO the committee shook up tn
two bills and drew out what came frs
Patching the pieces together, the committe
took the result for their report. Congress
took the report because the committee mad
1t. How the country will make out with tn
law heaven only knows
Such is the tariff legislation by the last {
Republican Congresses.