Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-05-19
The DaIlv Intslllssncer.
The Tariff Debate.

Mr.. Randall, whose speech mas Oeen
awaited with great interest as indicating |
h,s final action on the revenue legislation,
does not fully satisfy the general curl
osity. He devoted himself to an exposi.
tion Of his views upon the tariff and to o |
vindication of his own bill to reform it.
He declared that he was In favor of the
protective policy and that he did not
agree with all the views Of the epresident;
but he also declared that he desired to
lay no heavier duties than were required
to equalize the greater cost Of our manu-
features with those Of foreign countries,
and 20 showed that his intent was the
same as that of his party and the same
that Is the basis OF the ways and means
committees bill. The difference be
tween Mr.. Randall and the majority OF
his Democratic associates Is practically
In the estimates made as to the amount
Of the duties needed for the adequate
protection that both sides favor. The
theoretical free trade and the theoretical
protection advocates meet on this common
ground, and there is good reason to expect
that an agreement may be reached between
them by the exercise of fair amount of
mutual concession and good sense. The
prts dents expression from which Mr..
Randall dissents, goes much farther In
approval OF theoretical free trade than
does the practical measure which has
been introduced into Congress by MI
Mills and the passage of which the pres
ident undoubtedly favors. The sentiment
4 OF Mr.. Mills himself are not expressed
In the bill. 1t has been introduced as {
measure upon which to harmonizs Dem
ocratic sentiment and both protection
and free trade theorists. The universe
admission is that the protective policy
cannot now be abandoned. The univer
sal desire is that the protection Of the
tariff shall be ample for all industries
No sensible Democrat proposes to enac
his free trade theories into law thai
shAll let In foreign products at price al
which the home product cannot be pro
duced, when there is such a home pro
duct now being produced.
The difference is wholly in detail
Some want tin plates free because nom
are made here others want duty ol
them that they may be made the resul
probably will be that the duty levied vii
not be large enough to cause their manu-
facture here, but will be great enough I
prevent their importation to take tn
plac, Of sheet iron that Is made here.
The debate on the general bill has b'
como very interesting as 1t closes, I'll
leaders Of the parties appearing in it I
advantage. The real debates, however
will come when the several items of I'll
ways and means bill are discussed, prio
to the vote taken upon them. Their
seems to be disposition on tn
part Of the Democratic majority
70 listen to all suggestions mad
In amendment OF the bill, and wit
such inclination the lnal action upon d
puted clauses Is likely to be conciliator
and the result such as to obtai
. full party vote for the bill. Ther
1s no reason to believe that ther
will be any unreasonable position
taken by any Democrat. No one can b.
expected to vote for a measure that he !
sure will be positive injury to th
business interests OF the country
but the disposition of Democratic
members to support bill tina
- made party measure may be relied o
to be strong enough to overcome an.
opinion that they may have that amour!
to Less than such positive conviction.