The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-05

The Tariff ReyiEed.
Congress waited until It's last hours to do
what should have done with more deliber-
alton. 1t is true that the tariff has taken
up large part OF the session, and has been
generally, II not thoroughly, discussed.
Every member had time 10 make up his
mind on the general issue. But measure
touching so sensitive an organism as the
trade OF a country covering vast area and
made up Of interests 80 varied, should be
presented for final passage when there is
ample time for deliberation. And 80 this
measure, begun with the beginning Of the
session, would have been acted on Il it had
not been for the partisan obstinaCy Of
Democrats in Congress and particularly in
the Senate. .,,. .-t .1.G ff
The Democrats were determined to force
into any bill that should pass their party
principle OF a "tarif.lor.reyenue.only."
Republicans were set for tariff for protec'
ton. True, there were individual excep-
tons on each side, but the party line,
drawn at the outset, ran through 70 the
end. II the Democrats had been willing
10 concede that protection is the settled
policy OF the country, and that any reduc-
ton oil the revenue was to be made on the
basis OF protection to American industries,
We should have had bill passed before
the last day Of the session, and there
would have been no need to rush 1t
through. The conditions being what they
were, the Republicansbad to accept them
and do the best they could. How well they
have done in detail remains to be seen. The
bill asa whole will not only have 70 be ex'
amined critically-ior which as yet there
has been no opportunity-but it will have
to be tested by its operations. gs i
Generally Republicans in Congress are
satisfied; Democrats disappointed. The
strongest protectionists hoped to do better;
Democrats hoped to do nothing, that their
party might have the opportunity, in the
next Congress, Of passing bill more to its
liking on the basis Of revenue only"
commanding whatever credit might be due
for such a performance The Senate vote
shows sharply the disgruntlement Of Demo.
cratic Senators. Excepting Mr. Mcpherson,
OF New Jersey, who voted for the Confer
ence Committees report and Mr.. Davis, OF
West Virginia, who, though present and
impaired, did not vote, every Democratic
vote in the Senate was against the bill.
With the exception Of Mr.. Cameron, OF
Pennsylvania, who opposed the bill be-
cause it was not up 10 his idea Of protec-
ton, every Republican vote was for it.
This action OF the Republicans is not to
be interpreted to mean that the measure
is such as they would have passed II the
conditions had been more favorable. The
situation. plainly put was, Compromise or
no revision. There were rough places in
the tariff laws which only, q general revis'
ion could smooth out. The revenues
we're excessive; the people demanded
reduction. The country had gone to the
expense Of tariff commission, and the
greater and Unreasonable cost Of general
disturbance OF business and unsettling OF
values. The people expected OF the ma
jority party present settlement OF
the question Of revision. Mindful
OF their obligation and responsibility
standing in wholesome awe Of general
slaughter by Democratic Congress
the Republicans have tried to do
their best against n numerous, able
and bull.headed minority.
In the main they have done well; but
they have allowed the hand Of the Demo-
cratic Esau to show through the metal
schedule and the wool and wooden schedule.
The iron and steel duties will justify some
OF the hope that has been INDUCED in
on the other side OF the Atlantic, and the
foreign wool grower has reason to be glad.
The Eastern wooden manufacturer has lit
tie cause to complain, but the Western and
Southern wool grower is confronted with
problem. Ohio, which stands at
the front, Southwestern Pennsylvania
aud West Virginia, were not
satisfied with the wool rates Of the
Tariff Commission; and those rates remain
in the bill as passed. Perhaps we should
be consoled with the thought that Demo-
cratic Congress, committed to revenue
only, would not have left us so much.
Whatever. comes Of the revision the
country knows aud will not forget that the
Democratic party fought the battle with
ELECTROMAGNETIC tradein dis.
gnise-inscribed on its standard; that
the Republican party made Its fight
on the line Of protection, and preserved the
principle. The flag Is still there, but IN.
der the shadow OF compromise few OF
the stars lose something Of then lustre.