Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-08-16
BUSINESS INTERESTS WARNED.

| The revolt OF the business classes
against free trade legislation is having &
demoralizing effect upon the democracy
1t perceives that the country is thor
Oughly alarmed by the prospect of con
tinuOus tariff tinkering and uncertainty
respecting the conditions of manufact-
uring and trade. 1t is making a des-
perate effort to dispel apprehension by
frantic deniaIs of the free trade charac-
ter of its legislation and by cOntemptu-
Gus ridicule of the Republicans as chron-
ic panic-makers. Our friend The World
furnishes the Democratic press with this
cue:
-Four years ago new bugabOo was
necessary, and the "business interests
scarecrow was brought out. The voters
were warned that Democratic success
meant a destruction of the Nations
credit, miSmanagement of its finances
and blue ruin for ''businesss interests"
This statement requires amendment
in the interest of what that journal de-
nominates 'precise and exact truth" D."
Four years ago the Republicans warned
the country that the tendencies of Dem
Ocratic legislation were in the direction
of free trade, and that a triumph for
that party would be fraught with disas-
ter to business interests. The Democ-
racy cOntrived to break the force of these
warnings by bringing Mr.. Randall and
other Protectionists of their party into
this State Mr.. Cleveland was elected
without the country's knowing anything
respecting his views on the tariff ques-
ton beyond what he chose to state in
guarded manner in his speech at New
ark late in the canvass. 1t was not,
however, victory all along the line.
The Democratic majority in the House
was reduced, and a sufficient number of
Republican Legislatures was secured to
enable the ProtectiOnists to retain con-
troll of the Senate. The country per-
ceived Immediately after the elections
of 1884 that legislation in the direction
of free trade would be successfully OBJ
structed. Consequently, serious dis
turbance of business interests was avert
ed. If the Democratic victory had been
more complete and the Republicans had
not been left in position to prevent the
passage of the Morrison bills, the prOph-
ecieS of the canvass would have been
fulfilled.
What is the outlook for the business
community at present? Democracy is
now known to mean free trade and moth
else. Free wool and reduced duties on
woolenS establish the essential character
of the Mills bill; and the country has
been warned by Democratic leaders in
the HOUSE that if these tariff schedules
be defeated, a larger free trade measure
will inevitably follow if the President
and his party are successful in NOvem-
Der. With five exceptions the PrOtec-
zionist Democrats have been whipped
into line. A bare ma ajOrity for the party
in the next House will suffice for the re-
enactment of the Mills bill or for the
adoption of a more drastic free trade
measure. A net loss of two Republican
seats in the Senate would place the De-
mOcracy in control of both houses of
Congress, and there would be no means
of obstructing free trade legislation. AS
for the President, he has written the
message which was hailed with uproari-
Gus delight throughout England as a
crushing blow dealt to the American in
dustrial system. The country knows to-
day where he stands and whose candi-
date he is. The most adrOit letter of
will not deceive business
men nor dispel the widespread appre-
hensiOn caused by his message and the
tariff debate in the House.
What the country was reluctant to
believe in 1884 must be accepted now
by sober minded men. The Democratic
party is bent upon sacrificing the indus
trial interests of the country. The re-
election of Mr.. Cleveland and the as
of his party in both houses of
Congress will inevitably be followed by
legislation in the direction of free trade.