National Republican., 1888-04-27
The TariH Debate,

udCr the agreement reached on Wcdnes-
day 10y the conference between the Demo-
cratic and Republican members of the ways
and means committee, the general debate
on the tariff would close on Monday. the
2lst Of May, provided there were no inter.
rupiions to the programme except the Fri
days given TO the private calendar and the
Monday in May devoted to the District.
But, by previous agreement, three days
are sci aside in May for the consideration of
other questions, and It may he that the final
close the general debate may not come
before the 2jth of May.
Some Democratic and Mugwump papers
are loudly engaged in denouncing the Re
publicans as obstuctionists because they
demanded and secured the opportunity for
showing TO the country the iniquItes Of the
Mills tariff bill, Those papers say, and
probably with truth, that not vote in the
House will be changed by this long discus.
sion, and some of them that ought to know
better assume that vote will follow the
close Of the general debate.
As u matter Of fact, when the debate
closes the bill will he taken up for cousld-
Grafton bp sections. Each section can he
discussed under the fyc-minutc rule aud
amendments offered, so that probably two
or three weeks longer will be required he.
fore a vote is reached.
Contingencies may arise that would dis
pose Of the measure on the close of the ren-
eral debate. Some one may move to strike
out the cnacting clause, which motion, If
carried, would kill the bill. Or some one
may move to strike out, all after tie en-.
d"i0g clause dHd substitute something else:
for instance the repeal of the internal
revenue laws, which motion, If carried.
would he the adoption of the substitute and
the defeat Of the Mills bill.
Unless one of these or a similar motion Is
made and carried, the debate, under the five.
minute rule, will last at least two or three
weeks, and any attempt upon the part Of
Mr.. Mills and his associates to cut off this
discussion would force the Republicans into
the use of parliamentary tactics to secure
the fullest and freest discussion
Some of these same papers are very in.
dignant that the Republicans should "ob-
struct legislation hy forcing the Mills
coteric TO allow free discussion These
papers forget to call Mr. Mills and his
friends to account for the three months
they spent in constructing legislation"
while they Were initiating Shakcspeare's
"secret, dark and midnight hags,' hid
ing themselves to prepare their bill, with
some of their number acting as cmissares
seeking support by agreeing to hold certain
interests harmless.
Nor do these papers remember that Mills
and his associates absolutely refused by the
mere force Of numbers, to permit the slight
est discussion in the committee of their mid
night begotten babe.
Fortunately, the minority in the House
have rights which they know how to en-
force, for If this was not so Mills and his
free trade associates would have stincd,
without hesitation, any discussion upon their
bill and forced It through.
Extreme anxiety is felt by these same
Democratic and Mugwumpocratlc papers
over the fact that the Republicans are
divided in sentiment on the tariff question
and that they have. not presented any
measure Of their own. These papers may
possess their souls with patience" There
is no ambiguity in the Republican platform
by which the free trader Carlisle and the
protectionist Randall can both stand upon it
and each claim that the platform Is in ac-
cord with his views.
The Republican platform is for protection,
"nW derylRepuJlicaa member Of the House
wW stdm by Il.
When the time comes for Republican
action they will be found ready, united, and !
determined, working, as the party always |
has done, in the interest of the whole |
people.