New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-28
NOT GEOGRAPHICALLY INCLINED.

Ii is not probable that the Republican party,
when it assemblies at Chicago will conclude to
transform itself into q asi-DemOcratic party.
Ii is not very likely that it will decide to aban-
don the principles which have made it victorl-
GUS, and to take up instead the notions which
have brought the Democratic party so often TO
disgrace and defeat Therefore, 1t Is not
probable that the proposition, which Is made III
some quarters, that the Republican Convention
shall resolve to reduce and reform y the present
Republican tariff, will meet with much favor.
1t may be noticed that the proposition comes
from the set of men who, by styling themselves
Independents, have taken care to advertise that
they are not altogether Republican in opinion.
1t comes from those who have found their afilll-
atoms in the past with the Free Traders ana the
importing merchants in the Republican camp,
and who have been more vigorous in declaring
whom they would not support than i'll support
ING ANYBODY. 1t has the especial favor of The
NeT- York Times which has zealOusly cOun-
sellcd and aided Mr. Morrison and his associates
as tariff Reformers '-evidently considering
any conceivable step of supreme stupidity
Reform" if it is step toward free trade.
Neither Mr.. Morrison nor his associates, nor
their organs, will make platform for the Re-
publican party.
1t would be false to affirm that the Republ-
cans wish general or great reduction of duties
on imports. The truth is that more than nine
tenths of them wish no such change, believe the
present tariff as low as it ought to be in the
main, and lower than it ought to be on some
important articles, and favor either an advance
of duties rnO change whatever. The large ma
jorty of them consider it wise to give the pres
ent tariff a fair trial. during year or two OF
peace, without disturbance of trade and proStra-
ton of industry by the efforts OF frce-trade
Democrats and their So called Republican allies.
If after such trial it is found detective they de
sire to have its defects corrected that 1t shall
be more consistently and efficiently protective.
This is unquestiOnably the attitude of major
itv of Republicans. But not incOnslderable
number believe it the first duty of the party to
correct the gross Inconsistencies and the per
nicious provisions thrust into the present tariff
by the votes of Democrats and few free trade
Republicans. They claim that the wool tariff OF
1867 ought to be restored. They show that the
manufacture of cotton ties and the manufacture
of tin plates, and the manufacture of wire rods,
have been completely killed or placed at the
mercy of foreign competitors, by features in the
present tariff. Set these details right first, they
say, and then give the tariff fair trial.
The number of Republicans who favor an
other Democratic raid upon American industries
il not large The circumstance that some Of
them are conspicuous and have been highly
honorcd, like Mr.. Beccher, does not alter the
fact that they are few in number, and on this
subject almost without influence i'll the Repub-
lican party. The claim that their number is
increasing, moreover, is palpably wrong. For
many years there has not been so small NUM-
Der of Republicans in favor of reduction of
duties at any other time as there has been since
the enactment of the tariff of 1888.