The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-17

New Yea 1Allll
The lssae n DsEsrs sAe People.
Iaathe matter Of the tariff lks Kepubai-
can leaders in Congress sssmse have ssb-
stitssed tbs cowar1tss other Ssars Sorthe
ooarAge Of tksir 6Dsvissions. The pesi-
ton they hsvs assnmsdis uoe only . ooa-
fesxon of political weakness, which il
rapidly bringing 'ridicule on the party,
bat 10 uDdeniabls evidence that when
party ambition conflicts with the obliga-
tons of patriotism they are quick to prefer
their party 20 their country.
The people have watched the discussion
of the Mills bill with unusual and absorb
ing interest The only object of that
measure is to remove the admitted ine-
qualities of the tariff; reduce the revenue
of government to the basis of wholesome
economy; empty the bursting Treasury
vaults of millions which have been wrong
fully extracted from channels Of business
aud the hard earnings of the poor en-
large the market for American products,
and thus give steady employment and
good wages to the laboring classes The
Democrats believe that all these objects
can be measurably attained by means of
this bill.
We say the Democrats believe this.
Let us say, in fairness to the Republicans,
that they also have heretofore believed it.
Their platform of 1884, which was sup
posed 10 be the embodiment Of the best
thought of the party, the announcement
of policy to which they were willing to
pledge their future action, was modelled on
these ideas. On some points the Demo
Gratis and Republicans differed, but on
matters of tariff reform and reduction Of
the surplus there was substantial agree
ment throughout the length and breadth
of the continent They were acknowl-
edged by all-except, Of course, the COM
bines and monopolists-to be the prime
and pressing necessities of the hour.
Not business men alone, but the so-called
common people-the three-quarters Of
our population-mechanics, farmers,
small tradesmen and manufacturers, who
have their sleeves rolled up every day
look for increasing national and individ-
ual prosperity through that or some such
measure. Garfield and Grant both took
the same view; Representatives and Sen
ators follow ed suit, and there was q gen.
erous rivalry between Republicans and
Democrats az to which should first
wrestle with the problem and settle it.
Fortune favored the Democrats, and
instantly the Republicans pout, bluster,
threaten and block the way by jealous and
envious distractions. Would they be-
tray the people rather than submit their
political rivals to win victory2 Has the
thirst for power and the hope to regain it
rendered them fierce as the lion who has
tasted blood !? And if they must needs
destroy the welfare of the people in order
to obtain possession of the White House
and its patronage, are they willing to pay
the price? 1t should not be necessary to
warn them that treachery to our material
prosperity, even to assure party success,
is but single remove from disgrace and
retirement. They are not yet, we trust,
80 impervious to the computations of con-
science as to argue that if they can lose
their reputation for high moral ideas they
will at least enjoy the excitement. If Tho
rake VINO reveIs in his opportunities and
whistles his principles down the wind.
Still, the people are the jury in this
case and can be safely trusted. They
know we'll that monopolies, syndicates,
trusts and all the rest of the avaricious
brood have made havoc with our business,
closed mills by the score and sent work
ingmen adrift. They see plainly enough
that the rights of the masses are being
throttled by combines which depend on
so-called protection for existence. They
have listened to the debates in Congress
and have heard from the Republican side
nothing but glittering generalities, the
echo OF syndicate of capitalists, who
would pile up big fortunes At the expense
of good government, and change the Re-
public into an aristocracy.
We are not ready for that yet, and if
the Republicans in Congress lack the
courage to face the problem and settle it
vhe people will do it without their help
at the polls.
| New York World, l2th.l
FLORIDA IN NEW JER0EY.