Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-06-25
Defeat of the Tariff Bill.


tariff bill for consideration virtually de-
feats that measure. Those alleged Demo
Gratis who justified themselves in their op-
position to the ''horiZontal reduction" bill
introduced at the last session 10y Mr.. Nor
rison on the ground of the injustice and
inequality of the ''horizontar' plan of re-
duction, will not now have the same ar
gument to use in extenua'ion of theil
course. For the bill recently defeated
had been carefully devised and perfected
with view of removing all unjust in
equalities and reducing the surplus reve
nues resulting from tariff taxation by pro
per discrimination and exact justice to a.
interests. Yet it is significant fact that
the same class of so-called Democrats who
under the leadership of Mr. Randall, de
teated the last Democratic tariff bill, have
arrayed themselves under the same leader
ship in opposition to the Democratic tar
if measure in this Congress and compass
ed its defeat.
The New York Star, which is credited
with voicing the views of the administra
ton, referring editorially to the defeat Of
the tariff bill, truthfully says:
The Republican papers throughout the
country are jabilant over the defeat of th'
Morrison BILL They have a right to re
joice. The result was triumph for Re
publican ideas and the overthrow of Dem
ocratic policy in a democratic House
Mr.. Morrisen's bill met precisely such s
fate as a proposal for tariff reduction
would have encountered at the hands Of 8
Republican majority. The fact that this
was accomplished by the aid OF Democra
tic votes adds to the satisfaction of Repub
lican politicians. Not only is the policy
of the Republican party upheld, but the
Democratic party is discredited and it:
pledges are dishonored. Why should not
the Republican press rejoice The mo-
nopolies that it fosters have their hold
strengthened, while the people who look
ed to the Democratic party for promised
relief are disheartened and Disguised
But the very reason that give our oppo.
nents cause for rejoicing warrant Demo
Gratis In regarding the result with grici
and indignation. Not only was the re.
form and reduction of the tariff definitely
promised by the last Democratic conven.
tion, but the whole history of the party
commits it to that policy. We cannot
understand why man who desires tc
maintain the monstrous and oppressive
tariff enacted by the Republican party
should wish to call himself Democrat
No Democratic convention during TIA,
whole existence of the party ever sane
toned such policy"
There can be no doubt that he country
expects the Democratic House to redeem
its pledges to reform the present unjust
and oppressive system OF tariff taxation
and it is to be much regretted that mea
sure apparently vel and carefully devised
to that end should have been defeated in
such an unreasonable manner as TO refuse
to consider it at all. Any ovsrsights oil
irregularities in the bill could have beer
corrected by amendment and those self.
styled Democrats who aided in thus de.
feating it can offer no plausible excuse fol-
their action, but will have to admit that
they are opposed to any tariff legisla' ion
of any kind. There is strong opinion
prevailing among leading Democratic
Congressman that Congress should not adj
journ without the passage by the House
of some measure of tariff reform. though
it seems exceedingly doubtful whether at
this late day of the session, with a defsc,
ton of recalcitrant Democrats, whether
any tariff bill at all can be esacted into q
law
1t is gratifying to know that of the
Maryland delegation, M.ssrs. Compton
Shaw, Gibson and Cole voted in its favor,
while only Mr.. j. V. L. Findley allied
himself with the Randall faction in de.
feating the bill, Mr.. McComas, of course,
voting with the Republicans.