Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-07
Drilu Aenneber ;surrnaI.


Business and the Tariff.
Reports from all the great cities and
industrial centres Of the country speak
rather unfavorably Of the business situa-
ton. The opening Of the new year is
clouded and inauspicious. Many failures
are reported. trade is dull. merchants are
buying cautiously, wages are being re-
duced. and work in many kinds of indus
tries IL curtailed. This state Of things
docs not arise from scarcity of money or
because Of any great financial crisis.
There Is an abundance of money seeking
safe investment at low rates Of interest and
the country Is sound and healthy finan-
cially.
The cause of this unfavorable condition
OF Affairs il the attitude Of the democratic
party In relation to the tariff as defined
by the election Of Mr. Carlisle TO
the Speakership. Mr.. Carlisle is
free trader. HIS election indicates that the
party to which he owes his election holds
10 the principles Of which he Is an expo
nent, and will endeavor TO make them
the established policy Of the government
should they succeed. The democracy will
probably speak with forked tongue upon
the question in their national convention.
evading the direct issue for the purpose oil
enabling them to draw support from both
sides In the election, but an act like the
election Of u free trade Speaker. speaks
s.louder than words" and makes manifest
that the democratic party will give full
swing To free trade principles whenever
Il has the power to do so. In the election
OF Speaker the issue was squarely made
between . protectionist and an avowed
free trader; the latter was elected. and
his election was hailed by all free traders
a. triumph tor them and declaration
that the democratic party will hereafter
march under the banner of free trade.
Whoever does not clearly understand
why this should affect business unfavor-
ably. may be enlightened by consulting
leading manufacturers. The agent Of a
large manufacturing firm. in neighbor-
Ing city remarked to US a Jews days ago
that business was depressed. with little
prospect Of improvement. All the trouble
Is caused by uncertainty and doubt Great
ed by the attitude OF the democratic party
upon the tariff Manufacturers" said
he, edo not know what TO do. They are
compelled to be very careful. Their en-
terprise Is chilled. They must be all the
time prepared for financial storms. Bust
ness must be curtaied and wages cut
down. We would be glad to keep all our
operatives and pay them good wages. but
We cannot do il with the uncertainty brood.
ing over the business world caused by the
avowed hostility of the democratic party
to the tariff. believe that they would
be badly defeated should they attempt to
carry their principles into effect. for the
workingmen of the country would rise in
invincible numbers and overthrow them,
but in the meantime their threatening
position stops business and creates suffer
ing among the laboring men,"
This Is the situation rs Congress comes
together from its recess. II the demo
Gratis are not stricken with madness they
ought to he able to see that it is no time
for them to be tnkeriug with the tariff
II they consulted their constituents while
ut home. they must have learned some
thing of the feeling in the country.
Nevertheless what the democratic MAORI
ty in the House may attempt to do no one
knows, even the leaders themselves being
about rs ignorant M others.