The Washington critic., 1888-01-20
WAsHINGTON. jan. 20, lsss.
CoNGREss AND ms DUTIES.

ing with the tariff.
The former contingency, owing to
our peculiar administrative system,
which requires the whole country to
be torn up with new national cleo
tion almost before it has recovered
from the effects or tested the results
of the last one, is perhaps unavoida-
BILE, especially as the choice of Con-
gressmen, by another peculiar ar
rangement of our elective system,
occurs in the same year.
But the second contingency, in
volving the question of tariff reduc-
tion, is one that should not be per-
mitted to stand long in the way of
public measures quite as urgent and
much less calculated to disturb the
business interests of the country.
Unless some plan of reform or re-
vision can be agreed upon at an early
date satisfactory to both parties and
certain to pass both Houses, it were
far better to attempt no legislation
whatever in this direction.
Times are growing harder day by
day. Among the working people
there is widespread discomfort
Trade is threatened with a general
paralysis. Our manufacturing indus
tries are coming to a gradual stand
still. The money market is tighten
ing and there is a growing distrust of
credits.
This condition of affairs is due in
part to the diversion of many millions
of dollars from the channels of ac-
tive commerce to the idle, but strong
barred vaults of the Treasury. 1t is
due, in greater degree, to the absence
of any well-defned policy on the part
of Congress as to the means of relief,
10 the uncertainties begotten by the
tariff agitation and affecting all
branches of business, and to the APP
parent Indifference of the politicians
at the Capitol to the practical needs of
people suffering far more for the
want of outlets to their over-produc-
ton than from the burdens of over
taxation.
Although the country is not groan-
ing under the eXactions of the tax
gatherer, for there is no country on
the face of the earth where these ex-
actions are so imperceptible to the
taxpayer, we admit that it will be
well to adjust the revenues of the
Government more nearly to its re-
quirements.
But no conceivable plan of revenue
reform will prove a panacea for the ills
we suffer in and of itself. The states
man who holds that it will, takes but a
narrow view of the necessities of vast
nation, abounding in manifold and
wealth-producing resources above all
other nations, yet practically isolated
from them all and seemingly ignorant
Of the first principles of commercial
reciprocity.
Let Congress then take hold of the
tariff question, if it will and must, in
manly, energetic business-ike way
and do its work promptly. Millions
of unemployed capital are waiting fol
the outcome. Enterprises, involving
millions more, remain dormant be
cause Of the present incertitude. The
subsistence of million workingmen
is suspended in the balance.
There must be no lack of conces
sion or compromise, There must bt
no protracted wrangle-no disastroui
collapse.
The Democratic party in Congress il
committed to revenue reform-a Dem
ocratic President has made it the sol,
text of his annual message.
1t is heavy responsibility TO as
sumo, and the consequences will b,
heavy if the party fails to realize oil
its pledges.
But the Administration and III
friends in Congress owe other obliga
tions to the people which cannot b.
evaded, even if they are not named il
the letter Of the bond.
To reform the tariff is one thing
but il is not everything.
This legislation should be accompa
MED by other equally essential legisla
tion.
A reduction of the surplus will no
create general prosperity unless sup
plemented by measures TO encourag,
the investment of moneys thus re
stored TO the hands Of its owners.
Something must be done TO resusci
tate and build up a merchant marin,
that has been stranded on the shoals 0
bad craftsmanship.
Conventions and treaties should b,
entered upon with neighboring coun
tries whereby to establish better trad
relations.
A liberal policy Of expenditure II
the construction Of public buildings j
10 be commended.
Ample appropriations for all needed
works of internal improvement should
be authorized.
Subventions to American lines o
ocean transportation, instead of bein,
deprecated as synonyms of extrava
gaDee and jobbory, should be freely