New-York tribune., 1888-04-14
THE OUTLOOK AT WASHINGTON.

It is stated upon apparently good authority
that the latest change in the sugar clause of the
Mills Tariff bill was the result of double bar
gain. The Democratic members from Lousi-
ana, it is positively affirmed have promised to
vote for the bill with the changes made by the
majority at the last moment. At the same tlme'
prominent Democratic authority from LOUISIANA
asserts that the change was also contnved Tor
the purpose Of rendering the bill satisfactory 10
the Sugar Trust, which embraces some ln1luen-
tial Democrats who are now expected TO sup
port the measure with great zeal. Men VINO
should be perfectly competent to judge aihim
that the Trust would have more complete
monopoly under the pending tariff blil' IL IL
should pass, than it has now, and with the du-
ties reduced would at the same time fnd IL easier
to defeat changes in the sugar duties hereafter.
If these things are true, Mr.. Mills or Mr. Scott
has done some smart bargaining to capture the
Louisiana delegation and the Sugar Trust by
one and the same change.
Another item of information is worth consid-
ering. The statement is made, on authority
generally entitled to confidence, that the Ohio
Democratic members have agreed to vote for the
consideration of the bill, on condition that
separate vote shall be allowed In the House on
the wool duties, and have also agreed to abide
by the result of that vote, and TO support the
bill with or without the free wool clause, as the
House may decide. The men who want to run
for Congress in the Ohio districts now repre-
sented by Democrats may well hope that this
account is correct The Democratic members
from that State will dig their own political
graves if they consent to any such arrangement
but perhaps they are assured that the President
will take good care Of them.
These statements with many others of SINH
lar tenor, show what the industries of the coun-
try have to fear. There would be no danger in
an open and straight vote, without bribery or
coercion. If Democratic members could be ex-
pected to represent their constituents, there
would be no danger. But nobody INDUCES any
such expectation. The belief is that Preslden-
tial favor and threats will do much; that bar
gaining with those who control the River and
Harbor and the Public Buildings bills will do
much; that the caucus will be employed to CO.
cree as many as possible and SO it Is expected
that nearly every Democratic vote can in one
way or another be secured. But the unsur-
passed incapacity of the majority in this House
has not yet been fully displayed, and when 1t
comes to be tested IN close nshu, ho ohe Cdn
tell how many Democratic schemes may then
get unexpectedly defeated.
Republican members should be in every way
prepared to resist this measure to the utmost; in
debate as long as debate is possible; by trying
earnestly to amend the mischief out of it, as
long as that can be done and then by their
votes and the best possible use of their para-
mentary opportunities. Business arrangements
for the future, pairs and all sorts of engage
ments, should be arranged with care so that the
entire Republican force can be brought to bear
without fail when it is needed. The Admins
tration and its friends have spent more than
week of precious time in preventing the passage
of a measure which had only passionate, big
oted and malignant sectionaliSm against it..
Before the session is over, they may regret that
they began the fight in that way.