New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-15

Mr.. Morrison appears about to introduce a
tariff bill Probably he does not realize all MS
difficulties. He calculates that he Can appear 10
the party which he le DIS to unite upon some
definite measure. Perhaps he will call 1t to-
pether in caucus, and quote the solemn pledges
of the party TO make some HrefOrm OF taxa
ton one of it's chief objects. Nevertheless 1t
will be exceedingly difficult for him to secure
any action on that subject.
Mr.. Morrison fails to appreciate the intense
feeling that prevails, bath at the West and at
the East on the silver question. He fails to
understand that most OF the men on his own
marty are more in earnest just now about the
money question than about any change OF urill'
and infinitely more in earnest than about any
hating and timid change, such as 1t Is posi-
BILE for him to make. A sweeping and radical
free-trade measure would undoubtedly rouse
some enthusiasm. But the sort of bill that may
be devised with intent TO harmonic the Demo-
cratic party will klndle no enthusiasm ana
please nobody, and will excite strong feeling
only among those whose Industries are assai'eu'
Such tariff agitation as is possible for MIR. Nor
risop. therefore, is likely to meet with IN
difference among the only penple upon Whoh
he could rely to support it, and at the same
time most of these men are intensely interested
IN the money question, and appreciate the
necessity of having a settlement of that ques-
ton without delay.
That is where the public instinct is right and
MIR. Morrison is wrong. The tariff question can
wait There Is absolutely no reason for dis
turbing it at this time. But there is the utmost
need of some definite settlement OF the money
question, SD that the people can Know what l"
expect Those who believe that silver coinage
Ought to be continued or made Unlimited oeSth
| tn understand this rs well as those who believe
that the coinage ought to be suspended. Tn
| bath sides it is seen that some solution is oil
vital Importance to the prosperity of the c0un-
trv. Until it is definitely determined what can
be done. or whether anything can be done, en-
terprise halts, and capital locks itself up, and
all industry languishes. The consequences to
the laboring people arc especially disastrous.
They begin to understand that the agitation will
cause them great disaster. From the point OF
view which Democratic politicians have taught
them to take. the whole difficulty is due to the
efforts of gold bugsn and Wall Street money
lenders TO make money scarce. These people
are no doubt sincere, and II Mi. Morrisoh VIII
op,n his ewes he will see that they are very
much IN earnest anu "ahI Soho So''i'i'"'
right away. 1t will not please them to have
this uncertainty continue for two or three
months, while Mr.. Morrison and his friends
drone away in dreary debate about the rate OF
duty on imports.
In this state of facts a discussion of the tariff
question will Do Improbable, and the OPP
ponents of any change will have tremendous
advantage 1t will always be possible for them
to cImmand a part of the ardent believers Ill
silver coinage, when they propose to put ASIDE
the tar fl debate, and tumble the bills pending
! into the waste basket and to settle the money
! question without further delay. Facing these
facts Mr.. Morrison would be wiser to rccog
nize the inevitable, and TO defer any attempt t.
act upon the tariff question until some definite
decision in regard to silver coinage should b'
| Ieached.