Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-09-28
Gtk Ca,,faster Jntelli9e,,fs.
LANCAsrrR. SEPTEMBER Is, 1855.
The Tariff rs a Party Question.

The Tariff Ms q Party Question.
MAXWELL Stevenson thinks that the tariff |
question Is one that would be better dealt |
With II divorced from party politics and it
Il quito common opinion. Doubtless it
is 70, as it is an economic question upon
which men largely take their stands not
upon their view of its merits but upon their |
idea of its effect upon their party. And
the party leaders are the chief offenders in
this. They do not seek to have and to
maintain sound and honest opinion upon
the tariff, but whatever their views, their
expression is apt to be controlled by the
idea of party exigency. 1t is so with all
party questions, but the tariff issue has
B long been the special football of parties
because it is especially adapted by its
Kaleidoscope character to campaign
oratory, and as long as it is an issue it will
not be dropped from politics. 1t is the
business of politics to deal with all issues,
and whether it is well or i'll that it should
II not practical question. Parties hunt
for live issues when they go before the
people and cannot be expected to keep
their hands off that of the tariff. 1t might
be well If all issues could be presented to
the people in 50 simple and naked form
that their yea and nay could be given with
. full understanding of the matter. There
Is no doubt great deal of ignorance
abroad upon tariff and tax questions, and
that popular decision upon it would be
! likely to err, even if it could be rendered
without party prejudice. But it is ques.
ti0n whether it would not be nearer right
than decision made in representative
assembly Of the people. Even in Congress,
the results of the discussion on these
issues have not been such as to be convinc-
ing that they were duly understood, or if
understood, that they were acted upon
from an honest consideration of them.
The people, though held by party prejudice,
are not tefrurized as their representatives
may be, by fear Of the party whip. 1t is
notable that when the vote is taken upon
tariff issues the representatives arrange
themselves in it on party lines.
But perhaps this is not to be complained
Of, either. Government is by party, and in
the compromise of views needed to bring
men to act together, it is not likely that
the resultant course will be a bee line
towards the truth. 1t is likely to be ap-
preached in very zig gag fashion, and much
like the slip-shod way in which we are get
ting at the truth on the tariff issue. We
viii come out all right some day, and in
deed are getting along all right now. The
Republican party talks loudly for protec-
ti0n and the Democratic party leans toward
free trade but the Democrats are by no
means for free trade, which is quite an in
SINE idea in our present condition, and
there is no responsible statesman of the
party who proposes damage to the present
manufacturing industries of the country
by throwing the gates of its commerce
open wide enough to let in foreign manu-
factures. They propose free trade in
homeopathic doses, such as free raw ma
terials for instance, which would be help
to the manufacturers. 1t is, in fact, only
- to the degree of the capacity of the mo-
tive towards taking off and reduction in
duties that there is any serious question,
however theorists and cranks may talk.
That We will get down to free trade some
day is most probable, but it will only be
when the manufacturing industry of the
country will call for it.
So that Mr.. Stevenson need not he solici.
t)us that the tariff question is not divorced
from party politics, or be disturbed at its
unintelligent agitation, and be content to
know that his party in its position favor
log a reduction of tariff and other taxation
in degree and with speed that will
carefully avoid damage to established in
dustries, occupies stand that the logic of
events will prove to be solidly founded.
This is the position in which it is recog-
nized to stand, and this is the issue, SO far
as the tariff is concerned, between the two
parties; the Republican party maintaining
. position in favor of higher taxation and
tariff. 1t is difference in degree, in
which the logic is with us, as is easily seen
In the simplicity of the issue.
The perplexity comes when the idea is to
be expressed In legislation and when our
repfdsenessiyes are called on to decide what
reduction of tariff duties duties can be made
while saving our industries harmless. They
were not quite right to their taste in the
lat Congress and lacked harmony and
courage needed for the work. Mr.. Steven
non viii have ar opportunity in the next
Congress, to join Mr.. Wallace and Mr..
huckalew, as we expect, as new members,
~ the work OF the revision of the tariff, in
which we hope TO see Pennsylvania brought
4 Into line with the Democracy throughout
the country, from which she has absurdly
& strayed. Mr.. Hewitt says that he found
the work Of tariff revision to he Atlantean,
n mainly because of the jealousies of leaders.
Jealousies that work such mischief must
b abandoned, or the leaders will he. Such
really simple matter as the question of
proper rates Of duties should not be above
tbs powers Of representatives who handle
y e with Intelligence, courage and honesty.
Dark Days For Ireland.
An thoughtful students Of the Irish
( question have been noticing the menacing