The Washington critic., 1888-02-09
ruE INIpENnINn cRIsIs.

IhIs lmIENblN1 tNhNANs
That the Ways and Means Commit
Tee will report q tariff bill satisfactory
TO majority of the Democrats in the
House is barely possible, and we have
Chairman Millss word for it that the
committee is wasting no time in its
consideration. The apparent delay in
its announcement is due solely to the
desire on their part to prepare bill
that shall effect the desired reduction
of revenue without injury to any in
dustrial interest; and it is obvious
that the preparation of such a bill
must be attended with many embar-
Tassments and difficulties.
We have every reason to believe
that the committee are actuated, one
and ALL by a determination, not
merely TO carry out the pledges of the
party in this behalf and the policy
outlined in the Presidents Message,
but to formulate legislation so fair
and judicious as to command the ap-
proval even of partisan opposition
and of the country at large. 1t would
he signal triumph for the Democratic
party to pass measure of this char
acter--so signal triumph, indeed,
that the Republicans in Congress are
not at all likely to permit it, if it can
be helped.
II is rather to be feared that the
revenue reformers, after all their eff
forts, will fail to secure q triumph,
even in the lower House; there are so
many conflicting interests to be recon-
ciled and so many Democrats who feel
thattbe proper way to curtail the ac-
emulation Of unnecessary revenues
is by an abolition of the whisky and
tobacco tax rather than by interfer-
ence with existing customs duties.
The question is one that does not
simply put the Democratic party in
dilemma, but imposes upon it grave
responsibility and threatens it with
serious perils.
We are inclined to think that,
under the circumstances, it had been
the wiser course for the President to
have given less prominence to the
subject of tariff reform and not handi-
capped his party in Congress. with a
duty against the successful per-
formance OF which the odds are so
great. As it is, the party is left no
way Of retreat. 1t cannot ignore the
recommendation of the Administra-
ton, so specifically set forth by the
President, without AT least the ap-
pearance of revolt; while, in case 6f
failure to accomplish the revision of
the tariff, which it promised with so
much needless vehemence, it will
have subjected the business of the
country TO an unfortunate strain and
forfeited, more or less, the confidence
of the people.
The way out of the wilderness is
not clear, but we feel convinced that
the nearer it leads to :; repeal of the
war taxes, as rep esented in the in
ternal revenue system, the nearer a
path of safety will it be. The country
aiiibe satisfied with reduction not
to exceed 5O,000, 900, and the Demo
cratic party can go before the country
next fall with far better show of ap
proyal if it makes no effort to exceed
this maximum, and especially if il
makes the reduction on whisky and
tobacco, without the disturbance OF
general business or industrial pursuits
by, the agitation of measures that
however uniustly, are sure to- be
stigmatized as an approach to free
trade.
The Ways and Means Committee
should certainly report no legislation
which they are not reasonably
assured in advance is practicable as
well as just-Lexpedient as well as
equitable. The fate of the party in
the next Presidential election hinges
TO a great extent upon their sagacity
- ------------ p
BISMARCK HAS GIVEN up his warlike
intentions against Russia, Austria
France, ct di., until he esettles his com
mercial cable row with the New York
Hegald. Bismarck is no fool If he il
little stuck up.
The INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL Oh
WoMEN, which is to convene in this
city March %, for an eight-days' ses'
sion, viii be by far the most notable
gathering ever held in the interest o.
the National Woman Suffrage move
meDt 1t is to celebrate the initia
tory convention held forty years age
at Seneca Falls, New York--thC
beginning of the great work, which
has the universal equality of human
rights for its inspiration. There il
no gainsaying the fact that the new
revolution, however far it may b'
from the perfection Of its aims, hal
made wonderful progress in thes'
forty years, and il is still moving on
Mr.. RIDpLEBERGER "got there" af
ter all. The British Extraditior
Treaty is postponed and practically
squelehed.
HARPBR's Weekly, for the curren
..afn,a 4. ..unnA f...1I ,.rIr.,