The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-03-05
PASSAGE OF THE TARIFF BILL

PASSAGE OF THE TARIFF BILL
The tariff bill has been passed and a peo-
pie breathe freer. During the consideration
OF it by Congress speculations as to the ulti-
mate result were SO divergent and so fraught
with interest to the entire commerce of the
country, that many branches of business were
affected, a few Frustrated For some time a
feeling OF uneasiness was almost general.
This will now give way to the confidence
which before marked our commercial transac-
tons. While the bill is open to criticism and
not all the objects attained are exactly what
the country wanted, yet altogether it may be
considered an improvement But the princi-
pal object is the one the people
as unit demanded "a reduction of
taxation, diminution of the national income
They refused to be taxed annually $Iso, ooo,-
900 more than the Government really REQUIRED.
Their voice was needed.
One effect of the bill was to draw more dis
tinctly the line of demarkation between the
two great parties of the country. The Demo-
Gratis showed clearly their opposition to all
principles founded with the intent to protect
the rights of the laboring classes of the North
and East and encourage and protect the in
FAINT industries Of the South and West. They
endeavored from first to last, by exasperating
personal villifcation, by provoking dis
qualification, by pursuing that policy
which has become known as
the obstructionist policy to prevent
any legislation on the subject, but their efforts
only proved the weakness of their cause, the
true perniciousness of the old States rights
doctrine which has been their almost insup-
portable burthen these many years. On the
other hand the Republicans evinced their
Willingness to assume the responsibility of
meeting, and successfully meeting, the great
issue of the day.
Had the Democratic Congressman been able
to defer legislation as they desired the effect
would have been most disastrous. That all
thinking minds, even Democratic, have
conceded. Hence the conduct of the
Democrats is in no wise excusa-
BILE. They, as well as the Republicans,
recognized the necessities of the country, but
they chose to consider party objects para
mount TO general welfare.
That portion of the bill which most in
timately concerns Texas is, of course, the one
relating TO wool. The tariff now fixed is. we
believe, 10 per cent. ad valorem and 10 per
cent. direct duty. On wooden goods reduce
ton OF s. per cent. was made. But this in
formation must not be deemed incontroyert-
IDLY reliable, for the press reports on the sub
ject have been so very meagre that TO us
many OF the most important actions of Con-
gress have, perhaps, not been made known.
One feature of the Congressional discussion
on the tariff was the attempt of few
Democratic Congressman from the South to
protect one or more industries to be found
nowhere else than in the district they represent.
Jonas, OF Louisiana, was conspicuous ex-
emPlar Of this narrow minded class. He
wanted Louisiana sugar protected, but moth
ing else. The Texas Senator, Coke, did not
pattern after Jonas, but he might have done
so with more credit to himself than have
followed the course he adopted. By
freely pToclaiming that he would Gun
hes'tatingly vote to place wool ON the free
list II at the same time the manufacturers of
wool were placed at 20 per cent" he struck
at one OF the greatest interests of the people
he ostensibly represents. But at him and
Jonas, and all others who took such ndicu-
loaS positions as those mentioned. we NAV
now, that the tariff agitation is temporarily
ended laugh as heartily as they would have
laughed at the stupidity Of their colleagues had
they been able TO bring to successful iermi-
nation their peculiar plans.