New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-02
FBrF WOOL AND POLITICS.

There comes glimpse of light from the
caverns in which the tariff rcformers are hid
Ing Unlike other accounts, this bears some
intrinsic evidence Of genuincness The most
significant indication is the ingenious confess
SION of Democratic member Of the Committee
on Ways and Means, that the action of the
committee has been modified by "thc political
necessity of keeping the Solid South and New
York and New-Jcrsey in line" The leaky
member who confesscs this political motive
can be credited when he says that iron ore has
not yet been put on the free list. because men,
bers from Alabama, Virginia and West Vlr-
cinia urgently request the committee to disrc-
gard in that particular the Presidents admonl-
ton as to free raw materials. But he thinks
that the duty on steel rails will be put as low
as $40 or Sill, and that there will be other
substantial reductions on metals.
Another intrinsic evidence of truthfulness
is found in the statement about coal. on which.
it is said. any reduction may be prevented by
"thc necessity TO obtain certain votes oil MEM
bers from States which are large producers"
Whether fish is to be made free or not is said
to depend on negotiations with Great Britain,
but salt, lumber and many chemicals will be
put on the free list. and "wool is made free
and put in the front of the bill. The duties on
woollen and wOrstcd manufactures arc SUBJ
stantially reduced" 1t is also added that
duties are relatively raised on the finer woollen
goods, which arc now imported largely, but
are relatively lowered on the cheaper woollen
goods, of qualities which nine-tcnths of the
people wear, and which are as cheap here as
ol.o hc If mol
change. if made would be to expose to great
peril the vast number Of woollcn establishments
upon which the majority Of the people now de-
pend for cheap supplies Of ordinary clothing.
II foreign competition could break down these.
tho manufacturers abroad would have little
reason to care whether they could find mar
kct here for small quantities of finer goods
or not.
These glimpses so far correspond with tho
known influences which must affect the action
of the Democratic majority that they probably
give a correct guess Of the dark-lantern bill
in its present stage Of development. How far
or in what direction it may yet be changed
no man can guess with confidence. for the at
tempt TO get votes enough to carry the bill
with free wool as its leading feature will I'M
settle all calculations II the majority sticks
TO free wool, it will have TO abandon good
many other features Of the measure which
bring it some votes. If, On the other hand. it
/ abandons free wool. il will lose a certain num-
Der Of votes. 1t would not be surprising IL
the wrangle should end in another compromise
so weak that like Mr.. Morrison's bills it could
| not command votes enough to secure consider
alton.
| Every sincere Republican will hope that
tho Democratic majority In Congress may
somehow get courage enough TO meet the tariff
issue sharply. as the President has done in his
message. The wool question Is as good as any
other TO test the will and the intelligence Of the
pcople. Ii the Democrats will offer bill en-