Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-25


Mr.. RandalPs promised tariff bill IS
looked for with a great deal OF interest.
/ He describes it as a bill 'to give the great
! industrial, mercantile and commercial in
terests OF the country rest" Ii he and
/ the other leading protectionists are per-
mitted 10 continue TO have their way these
interests will get much greater rest
than they want. Until very lately many
of the factories OF the country were
closed simply because they couldn't find
a market for their products. The de-
mands of the home market were more
than supplied, and they couldn't compete
with the manufacturers of other manu-
featuring countries in foreign markets
because the protective tariff, by in
creasing the price OF machinery
and all kinds of raw materials, pre-
vented them from producing their
goods as cheaply as similar goods were
home market has increased somewhat
lately, and there is just at present con-
siderable activity in our mills and fac
tories. 1t will not be long, however, be-
fore the cry OF over-production will be
again raised. and then there will be an
other season OF severe depression. Ere
quent periods OF depression may be
expected as long as the surplus produc-
tons Of our mills and factories cannot he
placed in foreign markets.
Mr.. Randall claims that he is the friend
OF American wOrkmen. How can he be
when he assists in maintaining policy
which keeps our manufacturing establish
ments closed for so large part OF the
time, and, hence, forces workmen to be
idle? Even if a reduction of the tariff
we're followed by reduction of wages a
few cents day, workmen would be bet
ter off for two reasons: First, because I'M
der low tariff the necessaries of life
would be cheaper, and, hence, the pur-
chasing power OF wages would be greater;
second, because under low tariff work
men would have steady work. Our facto-
ries and mills would be kept in constant
operation to supply the demand of foreign
markets.
1t is probable that Mr. Randall is the
friend of certain monopolistic mauufac-
turers rather than of workmen or the
people. These manufacturers prefer
spasmOdic demand aud big profits to a
steady demand and small profits.
The brief description that Mr.. Randall
has given ofhis bill leaves no doubt thatlts
purpose is not to reduce the tariff. 1t is
rather to raise it on many articles. His
idea Of tariff reform is to remove
inequalities by increasing the reasonably
low rates on certain articles instead OF
reducing the very high rates on certain
other articles.
Mr.. Randall has no regard for the pledge
of the Democratic party to reduce the
tariff. He clearly does not mean to assist
the party in keeping that pledge. AS it is
the most conspicuous pledge IN the party
platform, is it not question whether he
is entitled to be considered a member of
the Democratic party? Mr.. Randall is
doubtless sincere in the course he Is pur-
suing. Assuming that he is, would
he not feel more comfortable in
the company of his protectionist
friends, the Republicans? 1t is
certain that by many of his Republican
constituents he is thought TO be good
enough Republican friend for them. 1t is
even charged that Republican Legisla-
ture carved out Democratic district in
Philadelphia for him, although it could
have arranged the districts so they would
have all been Republican, simply to make
a place for MIN. The charge may not be
true, but it looks as if it were.