Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-17
,,op,rtrn rdprrr VIEWS.

MODIFIED TARIFF VIEWS.
The belief is said to widely prevail in
Washington that the president in his
annual message will recommend some
decided modification OF the existing
tariff. The inference is derived from
remarks he has made TO persons
who have conversed with him on the
subject, in which he indicated that
party expediency requires such
course. Both Secretary Window
and Secretary Blaine are un-
derstood to be in sympathy
with this view. The latter is re-
ported to have expressed the hope that
congress would take up the question at
once and dispose Of 1t, and to have said:
ut would be the wisest stroke OF policy
for the republicans in both houses to
unite, as soon rs congress convenes,
upon a bill designed TO meet the popu-
lar demand for tariff revision without
disturbing the welfare of any estab-
lishcd American industry" Other
matters, he thought, however import
ant. can afford TO wait until this one is
adjusted
Senator Sherman, in his
recent speeches in Ohio, has distinctly
said that there should be n revision Of
the tariff. 81 do not deny" he said,
that there is n propriety In revision
of the tariff laws. Changes OF the rela-
tive value Of articles compel frequent
revision of the rates OF duties" The
speeches of Senator Allison in Iowa
show that he is not averse to n careful
revision of the tariff, and quite gener-
ally in republican quarters there is a de-
sire manifested that the represent
atives of the party in con-
grcss shall promptly consider
the tariff question and dispose OF it,
making such revision and modification
OF the existing duties as will give
needed relief to the consumers Of the
country without injury to any estab-
lished industry.
The promise, however, is that the
effort in the next congress to reach an
adjustment OF the tariff question will be
confronted by quito as many difficult
ties as have been presented at
any time in the past. The at
titude of the iron manufacturers
of New England introduces a new
complication which may prove TO be
very troublesome. These manufacture
ers demand, as necessary to their exist
cnce, that raw materials shall be placed
in the free list, and the indications are
that they intend to insist upon this with
all the influence they can bring to bear.
Their demand will be vigorously op-
posed by the representatives of compet-
ing manufacturing sections, but it is
very likely to be supported by repre-
sentatives of other sections, and thus
prove avery disturbing issue in making a
revision of the tariff. Another fact in
the situation that will complicate it is
the position Of the republican members
of congress from the south in favor of
the abolition OF internal revenue taxes.
They are understood to be nearly unan-
imous in the determination to demand
that these taxes shall be abolished, re-
gardiess of how such reduction Of the
revenues of the government might
affect the question OF modifying
tariff duties. Some of them,
elected upon this issue, have
promised to make their support of a
candidate for speaker of the house con-
tingent upon assurances of favor to
their policy, and as these southern re-
| publicans can, if united, hold the bal
| ance of power, it will be seen that any
demand they make mustreceive respect
full consideration.
1t is apparent, therefore, without
taking any account of democratic op-
position to any republican measure,
that the settlement of the tar
if question in the next congress
is not going to be an easy
matter. The fact, however, that there
is greater willingness among republi-
can leaders to carry out in good faith
the promise of the party to revise and
modify the existing tariff, is at least re-
assuring, whether due to sincere in
| tercst in the welfare of the people and
an honest desire to give them relief
from taxation beyond the real neces-
stiles of the government, or prompted
only by "a sense of party eXpediency.
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