New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-18
ECFE.TPADFRS BEATEN.

Mr.. Morrison is not willing TO accept as final
the defeat of his tariff bill yesterday, He gave
notice that he should renew. the motion TO con-
slider the bill on Tuesday next No doubt the
opponents of the measure, as Mr.. Mckinley
promised, will be on hand at that time, and in az
strong force no they were yesterday. But 1t Is
worthy of MIR. MorrisOn's most serious consider
alton what he has to gain by prOlOnging the
agitation On this question at so late q period in
the session. He can indeed to some extent
prolono the uncertainty, which now causes and
for many months has caused serious depression
of industry. He can indeed nurse the hopes of
importers, who have fancicd that Democratic
victory would mean for them complete
triumph over American industries. But be
cannot strengthen himself within his own party
by continued efforts to force the consideration
of an unwecome measure, and by blocking the
action CT the House upon other questions about
which members are anxious, even though he may
succeed in many times Teterating the proof
that the President cannot influence his nearest
friends and the representatives OF his party
from his own State.
The President is indeed placed in a most en-
barrassing position by this vote in the House.
Had he rigidly adhered to the course marked
out by himself in mis- declaration early in
January had he RETAINED from any effort To
influence legislation in any other way than by
the formal recommendations which the Con ST.
tuition requires he might now with reason claim
that the result is not personal defeat, but the
contrary. A large majority of the representa-
tives of his party, certainly more than four
ffths, have voted for measure In accordance
with his recommendation. If that were all of
it the fact that the President has not enlisted
the support of a fifth of the members OF his
party would be in 10 respect discredtable to
him. nor would it tend to impair his influence.
But the President departed from the policy he
had marked out for himself, and in peculiarly
Objectionable manner sought to make this
measure an exception, and to arralgn those
members who were not disposed to agree with
him as being faithless to the pledges OF their
party. His personal interviews with members,
in which he urged, not that the Morrison Dill
was wise or an expedent measure, but that
Democratic members were in honor bound to
suppOrt it, were contrasted by members OF the
House with his own conduct, regarded as an
Interpretation of his pledges IN the matter or
Civil Service reform. The circumstances rem
dered the Presidents Intervention peculiarly
CALLING to Democratic members, and, it appears,
failed entirely to strengthen the measure which
he sought to aid A careful canvass OF the
House, made early in the session, showed that
there would be against Mr. Morrisons plan
almost precisely the majority which was re-
corded in The vote yesterday. The Presidents
official recommendations and his personal
appeals and his declaration that Democratic
members were in honor bound to change the
tariff, have had no influence whatever.
Though Mr.. Morrison does not like to admit
it, the fight is over for the present. No one
doubts that a majority will at any future test
be found opposed to the consideration of this
ill-timed measure. The continued agitation / S
not desired by anybody, except by trade
theorists, and they desire it only for the purpose
of embarrassing political antagonists. For even
these theorists have come to know that no
change of tariff at this session is possible, and
they should by this time realize that continued
agitation, at time when there is no possibility
Of success, only preudices the people more
strongly against them.