Daily Republican., 1883-03-05

The View Tariff
Fortunately for the benefit Of the bust
ness Of the country, the tariff question
il settled for some time ut least, we hope
for years, unless it be in some particu-
lar interest which has been overlooked
or where an error has been made. Per
haps the best evidence that the bill
passed in the closing hours Of Congress
was the best that could be passed was
that it seemed to please nobody particu.
larly and particularly displeased the
out and out freetraders. 1t is at any
rate great satisfaction to have the mat
ter settled SO that business men may
look ahead, take soundings and bear
ings and steer accordingly. 1t will re-
quire time to tell whether the new bill
be an injury to the general business of
the country or not, but trade and indus
try at least will be- assured Of some
stability. 1t is hoped now that tariff
will be laid at rest until the
outcome OF the present bill is fully
known. The interests which suffer
most by the reductions made. are the
iron and steel industries and wool grow
ing. These particularly effect Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio and lost the bill some
votes in both these states, but after all
it passed by vote of l52 to ll6. Politi-
cally divided 1872 Republicans, II Demo
Gratis two Greenbacks and one Read.
juster voted for the bill, and 81 Demo-
Gratis, Is Rep. and six Greenbackers
against it. OF the Democrats who voted
for the bill six, including Randall, were
from Pennsylvania, and of the Repub-
Leans who voted against the bill, five
were from Pennsylvania and five from
Ohio.
Whatever relief is brought to the
country, will not be attributed to the
Democratic party, as will be seen by
the above recapitulation ofthe vote cast.
The lines are sufficiently drawn to show
that the Democratic party is in favor o
free trade, except where individual in
terests come into conflict, and that the
Republican party is in favor Of protec-
ton to American industries except
where individual industries conflict
Only two Democrats from the extreme
South, Mr. Speer Of Georgia, who an
nounces himself as an out and out pro
tectionist, and Mr.. Shelley of Alabama,
voted for the bill. The only other South.
ern Democratic votes that the bill got
was Mr.. Wise of Virginia and Mr.. Will
son of West Virginia. The bill passed
does away with great many objection
able annoyances and hindrances in the
| transaction Of business. The stamps on
checks and other official documents ar
abolished and that abominable nuisance
the government sign manual on every
box of matches poor man buys will I've
seen no more after the first Of May.
1t is not creditable to Congress to
think that such an important measure
had to he rushed through with railroad
speed at the last hour and bill pre-
pared by the conference committee. in
many Of its provisions entirely new put
through under til" spur OF the party
lash, which but few members never
| heard read before and did not under
/ stand the character and effect Of the
! hill. However, this makes bur litGlr
| difference as a real tariff bill i;t, to b"
! prepared anyhow by BAT "A few mem
hers and HE less tiukering il receives in
! the House the better i is likely to b-
I We are glad the Srruggi" is over and
! that the Republicans have come ont in
the end with more credit than VAS
| GENERALLY expected. II Democratic
free trade House Of Representatives
! which wi, succeed. is 50 bold as t. dis
arrange the present tariff, upon the
Democracy be the blame. Fortunately
"a Senate II lutte stronger Republican
and a Republican President who is II
protectionist, stand rs Il check to cx-
IRENE free trade legislation should the
new House see proper to fritter away
its time in trying to undo what the old
Congress has jas done. The country
can now breathe easier.