Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-10-19
Business and the Democra
springfeld Mass } Republican.

That business conditions have
changed and that the tariff must be
thoroughly and equitably revised so
as to adapt the protection afforded to
such changed conditions was the re-
luctant confession of the State Re-
publican platform, drawn out against
positive demonstrations of the party
to the contrary, by warning change
in business and public sentiment.
But there the platform stopped, ms if
shrinking from detailed acknowledge
ment of a mistake, or perhaps unable
to exactly define the trouble. 1t
heard the clamor of this industry and
that against the restrictions and
burdens of the tariff on raw materials;
it noted a loud public demand for an
extension Of our commerce and trade
relations, and seemed to see beWilder-
ingly a shifting public sentiment.
But it could not or dared not def
nitely define these needs or devise
remedies. It's efforts to embrace the
changing situation were of the most
general and indefinite character.
1t is not wonderful, therefore, that
the Democrats should hasten to profit
from the bewilderment of their OPP
ponents. They had no mistake to
acknowledge in this respect, and
were able to speak with dignity and
directness. The mountain in their
case had come to Mahomet. The
hostile sentiment that overwhelmed
them year ago appeared to be drift
ing voluntarily into camp and laying
down its arms. The opportunity
thus presented to meet definitely and
wisely the demands of our burdened
business interests cannot be said to
have been wasted.
There is Il changed condition"
that makes untaXed raw wool a
necessity for the healthy develop
ment of wOOllen manufacturing. The
National Woollen Manufacturers
Association is on record to this effect
in spite of its trembling twistings
and turnings under the ranchmen's
lash. The industry in Massachusetts
is in Ill honestly practically unani-
nous on this subject. Both parties
recognize this changed condition, but
in view of the recent wanderings of
the Republicans it is perhaps not
surprising that the Democrats alone
have the courage to place the trouble.
eve believe" they say, "that free
wool is essential to the prosperity of
the woollen industry, upon which
that Of the wool growers is dependent,
while it will afford relief to all con-
sumers of woollen goods.
There is a changed condition"
affecting the iron industry which has,
in the opinion of Governor Ames and
a great number Of manufacturers of
both parties, made the present tariff
reactionary and destructive in its
effects Both parties acknowledge
that business conditions have so
changed, but the Democrats alone
have ventured to squarely meet the
issue. They say that 1--WE give our
hearty support to the petition of the
present Republican Governor of this
State and other iron and steel manue
facturerS of both political parties, adj
dressed to the New England Mem
bers of Congress, asking for free coal
and iron ore and lower duties upon
pig IRON"
Complaint has been made by
Governor Ames, Congressman Morse
and many other Republican business
men of the unjust Determinations
worked by the New England rail.
roads in alliance with outside cor.
pOratiOns. The Democrats break the
silence of the Republican platform by
declaring that 1--WE believe that New
England railroads should be restrain.
cd, by law Unnecessary, from entering
into any traffic arrangements which
secure to the manufacturers of Other
States arbitrary and unfair advan,
tageS over our own manufacturers in
transportation rates"
We have all been profoundly inn
pressed by the remarkably general
and earnestly expressed opinion
voiced by business men before the
Senate committee which recently
held a hearing at Boston in favor
Of closer trade relations with Canada
To this demand ofindustry for broad
or trade conditions and a wider
market tho Rppublipaus bo1 NOT A..