New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-09
CLEVELAYD'S POLICY BANkRUPIS 1
DEMOCRAT

Nearly forty years Of probity, enterprise ana
success as q merchant made the name OF w. L.
Coleman so honored on the Pacific Coast that
"Tbe New-York Sun" has been recommending
him as the best possible Democratic candidate
for President of the United States. Then the
mere proposal of Democratic Tariff bill put
the firm Of w. II. Coleman IL Go. into Dahk-
ruptcy. a third of its assets was boraX prop
critics Of unqueSioned value, and ii is stated mat
arrang ements had been nearly completed lor
realizing So, 900, 600 on these alone, a sum APP
parently sufficient to cover all liabilities OF the
firm. But when the Mills bill proposed to put
boray on the free list, the negotiation was de-
feated. it became impossible to realize at any
price and the firm failed How many other
enterprising firms are there, headed by influ-
entail men of both parties, whose very exist
ence this bill threatens. How many new and
promising iron establishments at the SOUTH no"
many lumber producers in the far Northwest,
how many wool growers in Texas and other
Western States how many wOollen and cotton
manufacturers in the East, how many brass pot
,ery and other producers, are brought to think
Of min as possible by the support which Dem
ocratic President and the Democratic party are
giving to this bill for the promotion OF foreisn
interests?
Five months ago, when the President de-
voted his annual message to an argument lor
free trade, he tried to justify his policy on the
plea that oppressive trusts grow up under the
existing tariff Among the half dozen Illus
trations to which his friends pointed as evidence
Of the business of his remarks were the Stand
ard Oil trust and the Borax trust. 1t was at
once observed that the Standard Oil trust was
not only controlled by Democrats, but con-
cerned product in no way affected by duties on
imports. Now it comes out that distinguished
Democrat, Mr. Coleman, was the principal
owner Of the borax properties, and that this
combination, by the President called pernlclous,
was affected by the tariff in fact, the existence
of the industry in this country depended upon
the tariff so completely that mere threat of re-
moyal of duties has sent the chief owner into
bankruptcy. But why should Mr. Mills or
President Cleveland be blamed? They did not
know where the bill would strike fatal blows,
and probably did not care. TO them theories
were everything; the bankruptcy OF American
enterprises counted for nothing.
Now comes the Mugwump Times" and re-
iterates the plea that the Republican minority
in Congress has no business to resist the de-
struction of American industries until it can
agree upon some Tariff bill which, being in a
minority, It knows it cannot pass. One is at
loss for fitting words in which to characterize
so impudent a claim When the Republicans
are intrusted with charge of the Government,
they will know how to reduce taxation, as they
have greatly reduced it already, without de-
stroying industry. Until then it is their right
and duty to vote against measures which break
down home industry. The responsibility of
originating a measure not disloyal in its ten
dency and character belongs to the party which
tho neople have intrusted with power, and the
amazing incapacity of that party, for this or any
other public service, is daily disgrace to the
Mugwump traitors who clothed 1t with power
10 ruin American industries.