Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-09-22
WASHINGTON.
The Republican Tariff Bill Dies
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 18th, 1885,
Senator Vest builded better than he
knew, when, in speech in the
Senate, he tainted the Republican
Senators into acknowledging that
they had no intention of reporting a
substitute for the Mills bill at the
present session. 1t was most
humiliating and coWardly admission
to make; it shows how abject the
Republican Senators can be, when
their master, Jim Blaine, issues his
commands. Not two weeks ago, the
Republican Senators, in caucus,
agreed to report their tariff bill in ten
days, and now Senators of such
prominence as Sherman, Allison and
Hiscock havet to get up and acl1nowl-
edge that they do not intendto report
the bill at this session. 1t was a
great triumph for Blaine, but how
humiliating it must have been for the
Senators. The reason which they
give for not reporting the bill is
perfectly absurd--the lack of time.
Pray what have they been doing
since last December, for it was just
as well known on the first day of the
Fiftieth Congress that the Democrats
of the House intended to perfect and
pass tariff bill as it was on that
warm day in last July when the
House passed the Mills bill, and
there. was nothing to prevent the
Republicans of the Senate from hav-
ing their bill ready Just as soon as the
Democrats of the House had theirs.
But the Republicans counted on the
failure of the Mills bill in the House,
and were badly disappointed by its
passage. There are several reasons
why the Republicans have decided
not to report their bill. First, they
were by no means certain that they
could pass it, if it was reported.
Secondly, they dare not report bill
without entering into a general
revision of the present iniquitous
tariff, and that revision would be
certain to lose them votes among that
favored class of manufacturers who
are protected at the expense of the
people at large. Thirdly, and most
important of all, Mr.. Blaine issued
an edict that no Republican tariff bill
should be reported at this session. II
the voters of this country do moi
censure the Republican party fol
this cowardly evasion of what was
plainly its duty, shall be very much
surprised. The people of this country
admire manliness and bravery il
politics as in everything else, ant
after the Democratic party had made
up its bill upon which 10 appeal tt
the country, it was manifestly tht
duty of the Republicans to present {
similar bill, in order that the voter;
might intelligently chose which party
to vote for. What with Mr.. Blaine:
ideas on trusts and this latest com
mand of his, the Republicans are
likely to wish he had stayed il
Europe.
Secretary Whitney and Senator
Payne have both made explici
denials of being in any manner con
nected with the Standard Oil Com
pany. And they both state tina
J nine.t enths of the stockholders in tina
company are Republicans. So mucl
for Senator Hoar's insinuations tina
these gentlemen were connected will
that corporation, and that the sale
corporation was a large contribute
: to the Democratic campaign fund. |
this concern has contributed to eithe
party it is probable that it was to thu
Republicans. afI H
The Democratic Representative
will hold a caucus tomorrow nigh
to decide whether the House shall
pass a joint resolution setting dat
for adjournment or whether the!
shall compel the Senate to take tn
) first step. There is at present a di
versity of opinion among the Demo
cratic leaders, hence the caucus.
Senator German has gone to New
: York to direct the campaign during
the absence of Chairman Brice.
The new silver vault in the Treas
ury Department contained Saturday
night 240 tons of silver dollars.
The Senate Committee on FOreigI
b. Affairs, it is believed, intend to pig
eon-hole the Canadian retaliation bill