New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-19
DEMOCRATS VINO UANT MIR.

Considerably the most impudcnt thing cx-
tant. and vet one Of the sillc>t. is the protcncc
that Republican members Of Congress ought TO
support Mr. Randalls Tariff bill, or else to offer
one Of their ovn. Mr. Randalls bill IS not 4
Republican measure. in principle or in detail
II is necessarily shaped with regard to the pre-
dominating frcc-tIadc sentiment Of his party.
which Republicans have no occasion to court
or to fear Nor have they occasion to increase
his importance or influence. 50 that he may
more successfully ask votes for Mr. Cleveland
again next fall, rs he did four years ago. When
Mr. Randall wants 10 do battle faithfully and
effectively for the industries Of his state, the
doors Of the Republican party are open. That
is the only panty which believes in defending
home industry He has been trying long
enough 10 uphold protection. and at the same
time doing his level best for the election Of 4
fIcc-tiado Speaker and free trade President
What amazing mpudcncc 1t is for those who
voted Republicans out Of control over lcglSla-
ton to insist chat Republicans must ncvcrthc-
less propose tariff bill Speaker Carlisle has
taken the utmost care 10 deprive them OF any
responsibility whatever for the submission Of
measures 10 the House. HIS picked committee
has for months worked in the dark. dcprlving
Republican members Of their proper share in
It's labor If they were 70 propose bill Mr.
Carlisle would 50 use the rules as to deprive It's
supporters Of a fair hearing, and Of all chance
to get a direct vote upon it. In this state Of
facts Republican members are not called upon
to take any responsibility except by voting
against measures they do not approve. II is
the business Of the ma orIty to reduce the rcyc-
nue.. and 10 do it in Il wise and proper way
If the majority is incapable. or 50 fanaiically
fond Of free trade theories that IT can propose
nothing fit to be adopted, that is the business
Of those who inlustcd power TO such party
and among them stands Mr.. Randall.
But in some way Congress must vote for
reduction Of the tariff" persons say. There is
not the slightest necessity for it. Every cent
Of reduction in revenue that can safely be
made can be made in the internal taxes. and
a great part Of Che cost Of that service can be
saved by getting rid Of officials who are mere
DcmoC4 ATTIC party workers. That Mr.. Randall
is careful not TO do He would cut down the
tax on whiSlcy in order TO leave part Of the
tax on tobacco, knowing that it takes Just as
many officials 10 collect a tax Of 80 cents per
gallon on whislcy IA 10 collect tax Of 90
cents per gallon, and that the retention Of part
Of the tobacco tax will serve rs an excuse for
retaining all the officials. 1t is equally pos
sible 10 take off Sj0OOOOOO Of revenue by
repeating the duty on sugar, with or without
n bounty. but that also Mr.. Randall is careful
not TO do.
The dishonest prctcnce that the people arc
anxious for reduction in tho tariff needs to
be rcbukcd. There is not shadow Of decent
excuse for it. The same little knot Of Brit
ish Free Traders and fanatical theorists. who
have been barking at the tariff for twenty five
years, are barking still. The country knows
that meanwhile it has grown and pfospcrcd rs
it never did before. The same ignorant prcju-
dice, which Southern Democrats inherited from
notification days, gets expression IN votes in
the House. Of which twenty or thirty arc stolen.
But tho actual movement Of pubic opinion is
all the other way. The Republican party is
moro united in favor Of protection, and the
Democratic party less united in favor Of free
trade theories, than at any former time. The
Democrats arc anxious just now TO break the