New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-21

THE RESPONSIBILITY WHERE 1T BELONGS.
The Republican members of the House ought
not to be caught in the trap set for them Dy
the free-traders. 1t is proposed to them by
Mr.. Mills that they abandon their most ell
fectjye weapons, and moro than half of their
power to defeat his Tariff bill, by agree
ing to vote directly on some substitute
and then on the Mills bill without amendment.
The power to amend the mischief out OF BILL
or else to amend the life out Of 1t, is one
which the Republicans have never failed to
employ to the utmost, and it is the very power
by which most Of the free-tradc bills ohered
by Democratic leaders in the House have been
killed during tho last ten years. No doubt
it would be most gratifying to Mr.. Cleveland
and to Mr.. Mills to have the Republicans vol
unfairly throw away more than half OF their
power.
In a partisan point Of view. that might
be q shrewd thing to do. The Mills bill
is az good an issue for the coming cam
paign, when regarded as the first firm
stepn toward carrying out the principles OF the
Presidents message, as the Republicans could
desire Amendments which weaken the bill
as free-trade measure, and make it less con-
fcrmablo to the Presidents message, could
only make the issue less sharp and distinct.
But the first duty of members of Congress is
to serve their constituents, not as partisans,
but Is patriots, and the millions who are de-
pendent upsn the prosperity of industries In
this country have right to expect their Repre-
sentatives to use every legitimate means to
save their industries frem destruction. Every
change in the bill which may make 1t less
hurtful to some industries, will also make 1t
less satisfactory to some free-traders. One OF
Mr.. Morrison's bills was amended. bit by BIT,
until it became an object more offensive to
him than to anybody else. and be abandoned
it. The power TO oppose the measure in that
way is ono Of which the Republicans as
partisans might be willing, but as faithful
representatives have no right, to deprive them
selves.
1t was shrewdly calculated by Mr.. Mills
that, if the Republicans could be compelled
to offer some substitute for the Mills DILL
they could thus be entrapped into posi-
ton which, for members in minority, Is al
ways a weak one. No responsibility for the
framing Of legislative measures binds
minority together. They have not been IN
trusted with the charge of affairs. They are
net called upon to modify their individual
epinisns as far as they can in order to carry
On the Government successfully. Hence
minority, having no sense OF responsibility TO
enforce agreement is justified in refusing to
formulate positive measures until it is charged
with the conduct Of Government. The Repub-
licans stand upon the most obvious legislative
rights when they refuse to take upon them
selves tho burden Of responsibility which the
country has intrusted to the Democratic mem
bers. II Mr.. Mills and his associates want to
get rid Of that burden, they can do SO only
by surrendering control Of the Government.
The Republicans have been ably ana wisely
representea in tho tariff debate thus far. and
in their conduct Of affairs They will serve
their country better, and therefore will servo
their party more truly, by defeating the Mills
bill if it hes in their power than by any de-
yayture whatever from their legitimate duty
as minority in opposition. The responsibility
for framing measures which ought to pass
rests with the majority. The duty OF the
min Gritty is to defeat measures which ought not
to pass