Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26


There is great difference of opinion
among Congressman upon the question
whether the protection Democrats VIII
attempt 70 introduce a tariff bill as soon
as Congress reassembes. Those who
pretend to be in the counsels OF the Ran
dali faction say that the committee that
was appointed by that faction just before
the holiday recess to DECIDE upon a course
Of action, is preparing tariff bill, and
will have it ready TO introduce when
Congress reconvenes. 1t is stated hat the
bill will provide for placing quite num-
Der of raw materials on the free list, for
the reduction OF the duty on sugar, iron
ore, the cOarser woods, and the repeal of
the tobacco tax and the tax on spirits
distilled from fruits. The aim will be to
reduce the revenues about $50 000, 600.
1t is expected, OF course, that if such
bill is INTRODUCED it will have the support
OF all of those who opposed the motion
to consider the Morrison bill. 1t is ex-
tremely doubtful ii this expectation will
be realized. The Louisiana members,
for instance, voted against the motion OF
Mr.. Morrison to take up his bill, but 1t
is certain that they will vote for no bill
that reduces the duty on sugar. They
now declare that the sugar industry Is
languishing, and that reduction of the
sugar duty will ruin 1T. While this,
doubtless, is an extreme statement of
the case, it is certain that they cannot be
depended upon to assist the protection
Democrats and Republicans in any
scheme that strikes at their interests. If
those whoivoted for the motion to take up
the Morrison bill act together, they can,
W it'll the, help OF the Louisiana members,
defeat any measure proposed by the pro-
tectibbists. 5.
But even if all who voted against the
Morrison motion should unite on a tariff
measure, there is no way that it could be
got before the House at this session. 1t
would have to go before the Ways ana
Means Committee, of which Mr.. Morrison
is chairman, and it could be put
on the calendar only 6y the con-
sent of that committee. II that
committee reported it to the House its
place on the calendar would be below
that OF the Morrison bill, and if the House
should decide to onsider revenue bills
the Morrison bill would be the first in
order.
There doe sn't appear to be any reason,
therefore, for expecting tariff legislation
this session. The protection Democrats
may make a move ment of some sort look
ing to that end, but they will not be sim
cere, because they know that the way is
not open for such a movement. They
closed the door against tariff legislation
when they voted with the Republicans
against taking up the Morrison bill.
But what is to be done about the sur
plus? To collect $125, 1000, 900 year more
than can be distributed legitimately will
soon bring about a condition of affairs
that will be disastrous to all interests.
The country now needs all the money
there is in circulation, and there cannot
be any considerable contraction OF the
currency without harmful results. If
financial troubles come the Democratic
party Will suffer. because the RESPONSE
bility for them will be placed upon it.
The President and the Secretary of the
Treasury have pointed out the threatened
danger, and the tariff reformers have un-
dertaken to avoid it by reducing the reve-
nues. They were defeated by the protec-
ton Democrats assisted by the Republi-
cans.
Win the Democratic leaders consent to
let the situation remain as 1t is until the
regular session of the next Congress, or
Will they advise an extra session? That
is the question that some of them are now
considering, and which will probably be
decided before the expiration of the pres
emit Congress.