New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-24
. ppoTFCTITE ELL.

II
Tho sanate Tariff bill, as amended by the
Renublican majority, with few Democrats
concurring on some of the most important pro
visions, and finally passed Tuesday night WIN
the support of every Republican Senator is
| radically different measure from the bill org
| inally reported. With rare harmony, the ne
publican majority has sustained the FINANCE
Committee on every important amendment pro-
nosed 20 that the measure has not been mu-
tilated or deprived of practical value, as so
often happens in the conflict of individual In
berests and opinions, but greatly strengthened
and improved Hundreds of amendments have
been proposed by Free Traders in the hope
of sinking the bill by lodging some shot below
water line, so to speak, but not one oil these
efforts to divide the majority has succeeded
and il is not remembered that any amendment
except one of small Importance, has been passed
without the approval of the committee
Numerous amendments proposed by the com
mittee, including some of the utmost practical
and theoretical Importance, have been adopted
by the unwavering votes of all Republican
Senators.
In its present shape this measure expresses
degree of unity agreement on principles
and in1exible application of those principles
which cannot often be found in bills OF similar
nature. Indeed. ii is many years since there
has been as complete accord in either party on
any Tariff bill in either house, for while Re
publicans have been able to support some other
bills without division on the final vote, they
have been far less harmonious In action upon
various amendments. As a consequence, this
measure has como to be more consistent EN-
bodiment of protective principles than any
other that has been passed for many years
For the tariff revision of 1888 owed some Of
its most vital features to the concurring action
Of small minority of Republicans with the
Democrats, so that, while on the whole sup
ported as a Republican measure notwithstand-
ing defects. it was in these particulars shaped
with intent to undermine or lessen the protec-
tion of home industry. No measure passed or
framed by the Democrats In either House has
been so consistent in character as the bill which
a narrow Republican majority In the Senate
has now matured.
ID is not intended TO imply that this bill even
with the recent amen dments, is in all respects
perfect, or that it will meet the approval of
every Protectionist or of every Republican as
TO each Of its provisions. Some, ameDdments
which have not been made, THE TRIBUNE be-
lieves, would have rendered the measure still
more consistent with Republican principles
either by substituting duties effective for pro
lection where the present duties are ineffective,
on by further reduction of duties which arc not
now required. But It is an unexpected and
gratifying result that the slender majority in
the Senate has been able TO agree upon and
pass measure so satisfactory.
The change Of wool duties was the last Of the
great amendments effected. and that alone
alters the character Of the measure with re
spect to its effect for millions Of citizens. In
1888 the Democrats with few Republicans
succeeded 10 making the wool duty insufficient
for protection. The consequences have been
disaster for the woclgrowers, an enormous in
crease in importation both OF wool and Of
woollen goods and serious depression for wool
manufactures. On Monday three Democratic
Senators voted with the Republicans against
Efree wool, thus repudiating the platform Of
their party in the last campaign. Then the
Republicans carried the amendments proposed
by the Finance Committee which raised the
duty on wool of the second class from cents
TO IL cents per pound on third-class wool
worth IL cents per pound or less, from 2 IL
to cents per pound; and on third-class wool
worth over IL cents, from to 8 cents per
pound. The reason for the change in the lat
ter class, all will understand, is that immense
quantities of wool, pretended to be imported
for carpet uses only, have been so fraudulently
packed, mixed or invoiced that the proper
duties on excellent clothing wool have thus
been evaded.
With these and other amendments, the Sen
ate bill is decidedly more satisfactory TO the
! Republicans of the country than ii seemed at
all likely to be a few weeks ago. 1t is a long
stride toward the complete and consistent pro-
tective measure which is desired by the mill
ions of voters who elected General Harrison,
and by a considerable minority of Democrats
| also.