New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-01
THE T1BIFF IN THE HOUSE.

| The tariff debate, so-called, has ceased to be
a debate. About thirty members listened tc
The last speeches. The interest in the discussion
has suddenly vanished, at least for the time
with no prospect of its revival, unless the de-
tenders of the bill can find some far more COM
petent advocate than any who have yet spoken
For the truth is that the so-caled debate has
become MORALLY unnteresting because pain
fully one sided. The advocates of the measure
have made their weakness in argument and ig-
norance of fact so ptiably evident that their
own friends are ashamed. Mr.. Mills, from
whom much was expected, opened with a speech
which was sef-contradictory, amazingly ili-ln-
formed as to facts, and entirely unsatisfactory
even to supporters Of the measure as an argu-
ment for the kind of bill proposed. No one
could fail to see that, if Mr. Mills's logic were
correct, it was far more necessary to make iron
ore, coal and pig iron than to make wool free
of duty that he failed entirely to explain how
the removal Of duties on raw wool, which he
claims would make the material cheaper, would
compensate to the manufacture and the work.
ing people engaged therein for the removal OF
specific duties on woollen goods, which he as
serted made the goods 100 per cent dearer (;
that there was scarcely decent pretext of rea-
son offered for the abolition of specific duties
in large classes, and the encouragement of fraud
by the substitution of ad valorem duties; and
flat the sectional features Of the bill were so
fagrantly unjust that Mr.. Mills had no excuse
to give for them.
Following him came Mr.. McMlin, whose
sroech was weaker and more ignorant than that
OF Mr.. Mills, which is saying great deal. The
other speakers on that side had been weaker
than Mr.. McNIillin. and contemptuous censure
can no further go. 1t is enough to say that the
Democrats of the House are now begging Mr..
Carlisle to take part in the debate, hoping that
from him there may come one effective argu-
ment in favor Of the bill. On the Republican
side, Mr. Kelley opened the discussion, as was
natural with an argument on the general policy
of protection, and MIR. Burrows made an ar
gument so full Of facts, so strong in reasoning,
and so eloquent in its appeal to patriotic feeling
that the Republicans could well afford to leave
the debate where he left it. unless some new
point should be made by Democratic members
from whom less is expected than from the men
who framed the pending bill. The interest in
the discussion has so far vanished that some of
the ablest men on the Republican side are now
inclined to say nothing except in the five min
utes debate on amendments. Perhaps they are
not wise. The public is interested in the ques-
ton and in the bill, and hungry for information
about it.
May has come. and the middle of the month
will have passed, apparently. before the con-
sideration Of the bill in its details can begin.
As to the duration Of that task. il is useful to
remember that in 1888 the House began the
considerations Of the Tariff bill by paragraphs
January 81, after general debate upon it. The
Democratic members occupied so much time. by
Offering amendments and insisting on prolonged
debate over every trifing change proposed, that