Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-16
The Morrison Bill.

1t is expected that Mr.. Morrison will
call up his tariff bill tomorrow. 1t is
time certainly that it was called up if
there is any intention to try to pass it this
session.
There is no doubt that there will be
strong opposition TO its consideration.
The Republicans, led by Mr.. Mckinley,
and the projection Democrats under the
leadership of Mr.. Randall, VIII vote
AGAINST considering it. They are opposed
not only TO the pending bill, but, also, to
any bill for reducing the tariff. Mr.. Nc
Kinley and Mr.. Randall have endeavored
10 so shape legislation as TO make it I'M
practicable to devote any time to dis
cussion of the tariff. Mr.. Randall has
| held back the appropriation bills, Of which
| he has the control, with the purpose OF OBJ
structing tariff legislation. Mr.. Mckinley
! hasn't been so active in his opposition as
/ Mr.. Randall has, because, being men,
Der OF the minority party, he hasn't had
The opportunity. He has co-operated,
however, to the extent OF his ability with
Mr.. Randall, and when the bill is called
up he will lead the opposition to it, and
MI. Randall will be his strongest sup
| porter.
| 1t l s not positively known how many
votes they can control. They claim
/ enough, however, to defeat the bill. 1t
may be that they are over confident, and
will find when the test comes that they
have been too sanguine.
Mr.. Carlisle ana Mr.. Morrison appear
to be confident, not only that the bill will
be taken up, but, also, that it will be
passed. They do not give any figures to
indicate the majority which they expect
in favor oft. There are few members,
it seems, who have not indicated what
their course will be. They are much
more likely, however, to vote with the
tariff reformers than with the protection
lists.
A strong argument IN favor of consider
ing the bill is that the administration
favors u. The Secretary of the Treasury
is satisfied with it. When it was being
framed he was frequently consulted re-
speeding Its provisions. The President,
1t is understood, insists that it shall be
passed. His administration is pledged to
tariff reform, and he feels that the Demo-
cratic party will not be true to its pledges
if sincere effort is not made to pass a
tariff reform bill. He knows, of course,
that the Senate will hardly approve of
any tariff measure that may emenate
from the House, but the Democratic party
has nothing to do with the course which,
the Republicans may pursue. The Demo-
Gratis are responsible only for their own
acts. The people will not hold them re-
sponsible for what the Repu 6ficans may
or may not do.
At the last national election it was
clearly understood that the triumph of the
Democratic party would be followed by n
sincere attempt to reform the tariff. This
understanding was set forth in the Demo-
cratic national platform, andin the utter
ances of the Democratic leaders and or
gans. To violate it would be equivalent
to an admission that the party is unfaith-
full to its pledges.
There is another thing that must not be
overlooked. The struggle for the control
of the next House will soon begin. What
has the Democrats OF the present House
done to inspire the people with such con-
fidence In them as to give them the con-
troll of the HOuse2 1t hasn't cut down
expenditures, and it hasn't shown a
marked purpose to inaugurate an era of
economy in the administration Of the gov
eminent. 1t is evident, however, that it
must have something with which to go
before the people. What can't have that
would do more towards inspiring conf
dence in it than the fact that it has re-
moved some OF the burdens which an in
! iquitous tariff imposes upon the tolling
masses to the country.
i If the consideration OF the tariff bill is
defeated the blame for the defeat will rest
upon Mr.. Randall. Notwithstanding the
fact that operatives in Philadelphia
factories are demanding free trade in raw
materials he still holds out for protection.
If it were not for his opposition it would
not be long before the tariff would be re-
duced to point that would open to the
manufacturers of this country the mar
kets of the world. The Democrats who
help him to thwart the purposes of the
Democratic party would not be found aid
ing the Republicans II they were de.
prived of his leadership.
The vote on the motion to take up the
tariff bill viii be eagerly scanned in all
parts of the country, and the Democrats
who vote against the motion will un-
doubleday have reason to regret it.