New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-20
THE MEANING OF THE VERDICT


1t is noticed as a sensible thing that some
influential protectionist and Republican clubs
have resolved since the election that they are
not opposed to any reduction of taxation, but
favor speedy curtailment Of the revenue with
ont abandoning protection Of industries. The
only possible criticism Of this declaration IS
that it is super1uous. For that has been pre-
cisely the attitude of the Republican party not
in the late campaign only, but in the preceding
also.
What is important is that there should be
clear understanding that the Republican party
proposes to make the defence of American labor
effective, where defects in the law or hostile
rulings of the Treasury or decisions Of courts
have rendered it ineffective and frmtess. For
wears past there has been such ceaSeess chat-
ter about the overwhelming popular demand
for reduction of tariff that some weak brethren
seem to have lost the courage of their opinions.
The imaginary popular demand has been
tested and the result is verdict against 1t so
decisive that any person should be able to COM
prehend that reduction of protection is not what
the people want, but reduction of revenue. That
the twodahings are not merely different, but
often opposite, some persons have forgotten.
The natural effect of reduction of duties
which are now effective for protection is to
increase revenue, by making it possible to bring
in more foreign goods to take the place OF
American products. There are parts of the
country where, it was said, many Republicans
wanted such a change as that. But In those
very parts Of the country enormous Republican
majorities have given notice that the declared
policy of the Republican party and OF General
Harrison himself is heartily approved. What
is wanted there is a curtailment of unnecessary
revenue, and about that there has been no dis
pute within Republican lines.
But if the people declare for the protective
system it must be presumed that they want 1t
to protect, to be effective, and to serve its
honorable and patriotic purpose. 1t would be
an affront to American intelligence to suppose
that the people want a duty kept just as it IS
which, at present, only taxes consumers wlthouo
helping any home industry. The only con-
clusion which does not insult American in
telligence is that in such case the people want
the duty made effective, so that its object may
at last be attained.
Last winter several thousand farmers adj
dressed The TRIBUNE urging that duties on
certain farm products should be raised or made
more effective. BY way of answer Demo-
cratic House proposed to cut off more than half
of all the duties calculated to protect farm in
dustry The answer of the people was to elect
a Republican President and Republican House,
and the astonishing votes in farming States are
still ringing in the ears of tariff reformers."
The logical inference is that the majorities in
these farming States want the things done
which they petitioned Congress to have done };
they want the tariff made to serve its purpose,
and do not want it broken down or left just as
it is. The same reasoning applies to the de-
fects existing which concern manufacturing
voters. The question for the next two years
is whether the Republicans in Congress will
know how to comply with the wishes thus ex-
messed hy the DeODle