New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-30
TARIFF AGITATION THREATENED.

TT there were any doubt as to the intentions
of the Democratic party in regard to the tariff,
the resolution adopted by the New \ ork state
Convention goes far to remove that doubt.
For this is one of the States in which the DEM
ocratic party has labored most aSslduousiy 10
conceal its hostility to the protective system
The shrewder managers OF that party kho"
that they cannot carry New York, Pennsyl-
yania or New-Jersey on platform aVoWlnH
hostility to protection. But they succeeded III
New York and New-Jersey last fall by sup
pressing discussion on the talift and tnrning
attention TO other matters, and they hope to do
the same this wear. If no action at Washing
fen next winter had been anticipated, there
fore. brief, formal Endorsement of the latest
National platform would have been sufficient.
But Secretary Manning, the principal polit-
zeal manager of the Democratic party III TINS
State, has found it necessary to prepare Tor an
assault upon the tariff next winter, ana mas
sent out circulars seeking ammunition Tor such
An assault. 1t does not matter how lie came 10
take this course. Perhaps President Cleveland
peremptorily ordered it; perhaps the explicit
hedges given last year i'll order to secure the
aid of free traders could not be evaded; per-
haps the overwhelming prepondcrance OF DEM
ocratic opinion against the protective system
has IMPRESSED the minds of the President and
the Secretary. In any case, the raid upon the
tariff is to be begun, and it becomes necessary
for the supporters of the President in his own
State TO give it some sort OF countenance.
Hence the State platform is not confined to
mere echo of the Chicago deliverance, but
explicitly calls for a revision OF the tariff.
a. 1.nt, ln
parties, this would be enough. The country
does not want another prolonged struggle over
the duties on imports, with all the uncertainty
in business and the prostitution OF industry
which such struggle would unav0ldabiy
involve. The times are not prosperous. Labor
and enterprise have quite enough obstacles to
contend with already. The country has not
vet recovered from the long uncertainty ana
exceeding depression produced by the Morrison
bill last year. and by the doubt concerning the
effect of the Presidential election. new
tariff, framed after exhaustive investigation,
has not yet been fairly tested for it has been
tried only at a time when the hopes OF some
and the fears of others that the duties would be
speedily altered have affected all branches OF
trade and industry. What is needed at this
time is a season of entire relief from tariff con-
troversy in legislative halls, and fair, patient
and honest trial OF the new tariff that we have,
in order that notifications, if any arc to be
made, may be guided by just test OF its work
ings and effects.
Were it possible to hold an election on this
single issue, the people of New-YOrk would
undoubtedly vote by an overwhelming
majority against another season of tariff agita-
ton. But that would not suit the Southern
politicians who control the Democratic party
and furnish most Of its electoral votes.
Neither would it suit the foreign importing
interest to which that party looks for the
money with which 20 carry on expensive cam
paigns. The President has called about him
the Southern politicians as his chosen advisers.
| Secretary Manning knows how campaigns
would fare in future if foreign interests would
not contribute to Democratic expenses.
! Hence we are to endure another raid on the
| tariff with all its disastrous consequences to
| industry But there is still a possibility that
the people of New-YOrk and Pennsylvania, by
rebuking the Administration and It's threatened
| policy, may compel Democrats leaders to
refrain from tariff agitation year or two, and
| that would be a blessing to all industries.