New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-12
THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Good progress was made i'll both Houses on
the Tariff bill last week, though the action
taken was not in all respects prudent. The
opinion has gained ground greatly that some
tariff bill will pass at this session. There
are many who fear that the same influences
which have brought majority, both in the Sem
ate and in the House, to vote for lower duties
on iron and steel manufactures than the Com
mission proposed and lower than in their opIn-
ion can safely be adopted, will ultimately pre-
vail. On the other hand, there are many who
apprehend that, in the language OF the CORE
spOndent of The Herald "some bill Will pass, and
il will be bad one from free trade point
of view. These observers see that many Demo
Gratis are exceedingly anxious to get the tarlh
ouestion out of the way before the next ses-
sion, and that the ajorlty in either House for
lower duties than the Commission proposed was
not OF such character that reversal OF the
action taken is improbable. They think that
the Commissions rates may be wholly or mainly
restored upon final action in the Senate, and
that the Republicans and a minority of
Democrats in the House may then put an end
to controversy by voting to concur when the
bill comes from the Senate.
III b UOJ utCc5Sdly W IHht III hibA NJ
believes the latter course would DE the best for
the country. The reasons for this course seem
TO us so strong and clear that we hope they
NAV influence not only all the members who
are i'm favor of protection of American industry,
but also the more sagaciOus and clear-headed
of those who hope to secure IN the end tariff
for revenue only. For, strange though II may
seem to gentlemen who are carried away by
heated controversy the situation at this time is
such as to call for precisely the same action
from men of intelligence and patriotism, even
though they are usually divided by strong
attachment TO antagOnistic theories.
In the first place, it is of the very highest inn
portance to the country that some decision
should be reached without any needless delay.
This must be realized by well-informed men,
whatever their convictions as to theories of
protection or free trade. Business is much en-
barrassed already. Every day OF delay and UNI
certainty increases the embarrassment and
brings nearer the possibility of disaster. Now,
the Senate can probably pass its bill early this
week, and it is possible that concurring vote
in the House might be reached very quickly
afterward But there Is no possibility that Il
final decision can be reached upon the House
bill until the very end of the session, If at all
| Two weeks of delay prevented-that would be
a very great benefit to all industry and trade.
| But second, 1t is not wise to run unnecessary
risks by extreme reduction of duties at the out
set Assuming for the moment that clear
majority in each House would deliberately pre-
fer to go fully as far in the end as the House
has gone, it would still be wiser and safer to
make more moderate reductions FIRST. The
power to go further will not thereby be given
up. But there would be far more public dis
position to sustain still greater reductions, il
moderate changes should first be tried and
should work well. We do not say that the
safety of further reductions would thereby be
established. But there are a great many people
who would reach that conclusion. The advo-
Gates Of reduction Of duties would certainly