Savannah morning news., 1886-06-18
NIr. Morrison,s Defeat.


Mr.. Morrison's motion Yesterday to take
up the tariff bill was defeated by ma
jority OF II. MIR. Morrison announced
that he would renew the motion neN'
: Tuesday, but there does not appear to De
any good reason tor thinking that it Will
be carried. 1t is pretty certain that the
! bill Will not be considered at this session.
/ Democrats voted with the Republicans
/ 10 defeat the most important Democratic
measure of the session, who, until within
a few days, were expected to stand by
their party. There were ten New York
Democrats. for instance, who voted
against the motion. In view OF the fact
that the administration favOrs the bill,
and had great deal 10 do with framing
it, all of the New York Democrats were
expected to help to at least give the House
a chance to consider it.
The success OF the Republicans and
their allies, the protection Democrats, in
preventing the bill from being taken up
will have damaging effect on the Demo-
cratic party in the fall elections. The
people will want to know what has be-
come of that provision OF the National
Democratic platform which pledges the
party toreform the tariff, ana what answer
can be given them? The answer can be
made, of course, that Mr.. Randall led
enough Democrats over to the Repubi il
cans to prevent the Democratic party from
fulfilling its pledge, but will that be salts
factory?
Mr.. Randall has stated time and again,
il he has been reported correctly, that he
wants the tariff reformed, but it is a fact
that cannot be denied that he neither pro-
poses any tariff reform measure nor sup
ports any proposed by others. On all
questions looking to a reduction OF the
tariff to a revenue basis ne has always
stood, and still stands, squarely with the
Republicans. If It had not been for him
aud the little faction of Democrats who
follow his lead, the House would have
passed tariff reform measure long ago.
The only thing the Democrats can do in
the approaching Congressional campaign
is 80 point TO the fact that they did all
they could to make good their pledge
with respect to the tariff, and to promise
that they will keep up the hight until their
efforts are crowned with success.
IL would doubtless be unjust to Mr..
Randall to suggest that he is not sincere
in his opposition to the efforts of his party
to reform the tariff, but in view of the fact
that the greatest difference at present be-
tween the Democratic and Republican
parties is that growing out of the tariff,
and the further fact that MIR. Randall
always stands with the Republican
party on the tariff issue, wouldn't
it he better for him and for the Democratic
party if he should take his stand with that
party altogether? He is now fighting for
Republican principles and for the Repub-
lican party behind Democratic breast
works. While processing to be a sincere
Democrat, he 10 doing the Democratic
party more harm than any recognized
enemy could possibly do it.
No party can be successful which is not
united with respect to the principles for
which it contends. The Democratic party,
by very large majority, favors a reform
Of the tariff. A small minority opposes
that reform, and is able. with the assist
ance of political enemies, to defeat it.