New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-08
BUSINESS INTERESTS VARNED.

The revolt of the business classes against
free-trade legislation is having demoralizng
effect upon the Democracy. 1t perceiyes that
the country is thoroughly alarmed by the pros
pect of continuous tariff tinkering and uncer-
tainty respecting the conditions of manuiact-
uring and trade. II is making desperate
effort to dispel apprehension by frantic denials
of the free-trade character of its legislation
and by ,contemptuous ridcule Of the Repub-
licans IL chronic panic makers. Our friend
"The World - furnishes the Democratic press
with this cue:
-Four years ago a new bugaboo was necessary, ana
tho ." siness interests" scarecrow was brought out
The voters were warned that Democratic success meant
destruction of the Nations credit mismanagement OF
its finances and blue ruin for I" business interests
This statement requires amendment IN the
interest of what that journal denomnates pre-
else and exact truth" -Four years ago the Re
publicans warned the country that the ten
denotes of Democratic legislation were IN the
direction of free trade, and that triumph
for that party would be fraught with disaster
to business interests The Democracy con-
trived to break the force of these warnings by
bringing Mr.. Randall and other Protectonists
of their party into this State. Mr.. Cleveland
was elected without the countrys knowing
ANYTHING respecting his views on the tariff
question beyond what he chose to state IN n
Guarded manner in his speech at Newark late
in the canvass. 1t was not, however, victory
all along the line. The Democratic majority
in the House was reduced, and sufficient num-
Der of Republican Legislatures was secured
to enable the PrOtectionists to retain control OF
the Senate The country perceived lmmedi-
ately after the elections Of 1884 that leglsla-
ton in the direction of free trade would be
successfully obstructed. Consequently serious
disturbance Of business interests was averted.
If the Democratic victory had been more com
plete and the Republicans had not been left in
q position to prevent the passage OF the Nor
rison bills the prophecies Of the canvass would
have been fulfilled.
What is the outlook for the business com
munty at present? Democracy is now known
to mean free trade and nothing else. Free
wool and reduced duties on woollenS establish
the essential character Of the Mills bill; and
the country has been warned by Democratic
leaders in the House that if these tariff sched-
ules be defeated, larger free-trade measure
will inevitably follow if the President and his
party are successful in November With five
exceptions the ProtectiOnist Democrats have
been whipped into line. A bare majority foI
the party in the next House will suffice for the
re-enactmcnt of the Mills bill or for the adop-
ton of more drastic frec-trade measure. a
net loss Of two Republican seats in the Senate
would place the Democracy in control OF both
houses Of Congress, and there would be nc
means of obsructing free-trade legislation
As for the President he has written the mes
sage which was hailed with uproarious delight
throughout England as a crushing blow dealt
to the American industrial system. The coun-
try knows to-day where he stands and whose
candidate he is. The most adroit letter of ac
ceptance will not deceive business men MOI
dispel the widespread apprehension caused by
his message and the tariff debate in the House
What the country was reluctant to believe
! in 1884 must be accepted now by sober
minded business men. The Democratic party
is bent upon sacrificing the industrial interest:
of the country. The reelection of Mr.. Cleve-
land and the ascendancy of his party in both
houses Of Congress will inevitably be followed
| by legislation in the direction of free trade.