New-York tribune., 1886-06-03
PROSPECTS IMPROVED-AND WHE

There are mOIe hopeful prospects, lnuuetry
and trade are not yet out of the woods, so
to speak, but the dangers have diminished. Six
months ago, when Congress assembled, thele
wele threats of tariff agitation. feaIs that the
currency would speedily fall to silver basis,
and lust apprehension of destructive legislation
affecting the interests of all railway and other
invested property. The spirit of the dema-
xopues was dreaded, and with good reason
The spirit RENAME but its claws have been CUT
Six weeks ago, when threatened strikes for
eight hours we've reported from all parts OF the
country, while riots and armed resistance 70
law seemed to many to threaten the STABILITY Oh
free institutions, there was much alarm among
persons who did not understand the temper OF
the American people toward anarchy and riot
ing, and much real reason for apprehension
among those who did understand how industry
would be affected by the great changes pro-
posed It is worth while Just at this point to
review the situation, and see what has been
gained, and how it has been gained.
There is, first, no present fear OF the silver
basis. Credit for this is due to President
Cleveland and Secretary Manning, the more
because they have been obliged to defy their
marty in order to defend the country from
harm. No credit therefore is due to the party,
but no Republican will hesitate to thank the
President and Secretary for their adoption of
stcps to keep good the gold reserve. and to
prevent dangerous expansion in the circulation
of silver notes. Congress has been in session
six months. 1t has done nothing to deprive the
President or Secretary of powers which they
are employing and have shown that they mean
a
to employ. The Democratic House, powerless
for good, is also impotent for evil. But it Is
mpotent only because, on this as on other
questions, nearly the entire Republican force
stands firm in defending the interests of the
country. Months ago THE TRIBUNE showed
that it was entirely within the power OF the Ad-
ministration to render continued silver coinage
harmless for a considerable period. The conn
try trusts that the Administration will not fail
to exercise that power
The fear of disastrous changes of tariff has
passed away. 1t is true, Mr.. Morrison still pro-
noses to have a vote on his BILL But be is not
in hurry about calling it UP, and says he
means to await till the clouds roll BY" He
will wait great while. 1t has become known
that there are enough Democratic members,
with the Republicans, to defeat the measure.
y
great harm, and the uncertainty still does harm
for there is still chance that Democratic poll
ticians may change their purpose. But it will
be observed once more that the country IS
saved from this danger also by the fact that the
solid body of Republicans resist any mischlev-
Gus legislation. Had the Democrats alone
power to decide the matter, a far worse bill
than that of Mr.. Morrison would have been in
troduced and passed.
The danger of communistic legislation is also
pretty well ont of the way. There are still
some bills which the House may pass, and which
if passed would do harm. But the Senate has
greatly essened the danger in one direction by
passing the Cullom Railroad bin, which, with
all its faults, is UNNECESSARILY better than the
Reagan bill favored by Democrats in the House.
The chances are that the two houses may dis
agree, and that nothing will be done, which is
perhaps not the worst result conceivable. The
Arbitration bill passed by the House, a measure
not well guarded is entrusted to a committee
in the Senate headed by Senator Logan.
Finally the good sense of the American
people has substantially overcome the dang
threatened by the .a0or agitation. The eight
hour movement, as it.prOv.d, obtained the sup
port of only small fraction of the workers.
That was enough to condemn it in the estima-
ton of free people. There is in COM
pelling millions of free men to work only eight
hours because few of them do not want to
work ten. 1t was fortunate thing for the
country, and for wOrkingmen themselves in
the end, that the agitators displayed their in
capacity recklessness and wickedness so clearly
as they did in the Southwest strike and riots
and in the Chicago massacre. The common
sense and law abiding spirit of the whole peo-
pie quickly aroused TO put down lawless and
liotOus insurrection falsely sad to be for the
cause of labor. But Lere, again, Democratic
|.demagogues have made only mischief The
practical sense and law. respecting spirit of the
people have done the work.