New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-05
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A DIKTIS/N RILL


pected is apt to happen, for due precautions
arc taken against any danger that is feared.
Two powerful forces will push this
measure; the great aggregation Of
capital engaged in importing, and the
craftsmanship of Bourbon Democracy. The
theorists, who have so warped their minds with
the slavish adoption Of English teachings that
they find no satisfaction and no proof in the
unparalleled development of home industry
under protection, do not count Tor much. The
Americans and unnaturalized foreigners who
consent TO act as mere clerks OF foreign pro-
ducers count for more, but the desperate parti-
sanship Of the Democracy is the chief source Of
danger.
Many reason that parisanship will prevent
the passage Of dangerous bill. 1t might, If
Democratic Congress men knew enough of the
Nations industries to realize the danger fully.
Gut how much does Mr.. Mills, of Texas, know
of the situation, and difficulties and infinitely
complicated interdependence of the industries
which have made Northern States what they
are? How much can MIR. Breckenridge, OF
Arkansas, or Mr.. Mcmillan, Of Tennessee, or
Mr. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky, or Mr.. Turner,
of Georgia know of these industries? Such
men absorb Democratic theories of free trade
with their spelling books not one of them has
lived in any region of diversified industry,
even long enough to receive his college cdu-
cation. They hate Mr.. Randall because he
antagonizcs theories to which they are COM
mitted. Consequently they put no confidence
in what is said by him or his friends. But
they represent over 100 members from South
crn States who do not depend in the slightest
degree upon the votes Of working people, be-
cause their party manufactures its majority
for itself
The great danger is that these people. con-
WINGED at last that their party has become so
committed to free trade that it is sure TO be
beaten if it faltcrs or hesitates. are told that
the seabOard States and the Northwest arc
ready to revolt against protection. They have
political shrewdness enough to sec that Mr.
Cleveland has made his own platform, which
Congress can IN no way modify They want
him nominated for personal reasons or be-
cause they think their party can elect no other
candidate this year. They must make the
fight then, On the tariff question whether they
want to or not. The next step is to conclude
that the party may possibly win if it wakes
up the free traders Of the seabOard and the
Northwest, but can win in no other way. In
sheer desperation these men are going to fight
for bill which will satisfy free traders Of
New-York City, without losing a Southern
State, they hope.
The grave objections to this bill are few
hut radical, and illustrate the spirit in which
it was framed. The minor objections are
countless. but their results can only be de-
tcrmned by a trial which conservative men
who knew the real position of the industries
would never have dared to face. The bill thus
illustrates the ignorance of men who carefully
framed it where as little information as pos
siblc could reach them. They did not know
the meaning Of changes they proposed. or how
small barrier stands between hundreds of
industries and destruction. To them it seems
highly conservative to take away only a fifth
O. third of that barrier. Not one Of them
would be crazy enough to propose removal Of
a fifth or third Of the Mississippi levee. which
keeps the great river from destroying New
Orleans and many rich plantation.
The two grave objections are that the bill
would make American industry dependent
upon foreign materials. and also upon foreign
honesty. Cheap materials would inevitably
become dear materials, when American pro-
ducers had once been driven out of production.
Experience has taught that false swearing will
make any import duty impotent. if it is a duty
according to value only The Custom House
inspector can count pieces. or yards, Or pounds.
A specific duty he can enforce with certainty
md precision. But no method has been or can
be devised to secure honest statements Of value
Of goods imported. when the dishonest can
always undersell the honest importer and drive
him ont Of the business.
Nothing but partisa nship at once ignorant
and desperate wOuld have proposed tariff
with these two radical objections to its most
important features. But the same ignorance
and the same partisanshp are now at work to
persuade Democratic members that the party
will kill its candidate for President if it con-
fcsscs that this bill is bad one. 1t must pass
Inc bill If il can. and take the chances that
is the appeal now made The only chance of
is passage Is In the fact that many Demo-
cratic members know but little what the coun
ny needs, and care more for part than for the
country.
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