Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1889-01-04
TARIFF TROUBLES,


writer's sand politicians talk flppsntIy
about the permanent settlement of the
tariff question, and hope for on act of
legislation by the next congress OF such
ideal completeness and perfection that
it shall remove this troublesome issue
from our politics for an indefinite time.
More thoughtful and president states.
man recognize the impossibility OF such
an achievement They perceive not only
the present difficulties of the task, but
the instability of the conditions of its
successful performance. 1t will be
work OF the greatest magnitude for the
next or sny other congress to frame
tariff act at once jlst and equitable aud
even moderately acceptable to gil parts
of the country. Suppose such bill
once framed, enacted into law and put
into practical operation. Ii would re-
main just and equitable and acceptable
just 30 long as the commercial and in
dustrial conditions which it WAS sdjusted
to meet, endured without change. That
might not be for more than year. and
could not be for more than five years,
The conditions of the tariff problem
shift with every inevitable change Incl.
aCap w. bhS' 5OStul oot6lUPucub Ol tu6
country, the march of in Yention, the ad-
vancing comple1ity of commercial rela-
tions. and the ripenlng transportations
OF industry. No legislative solution OF
1t can ever be regarded as final and per-
manent. 1t is hard enough to frame
satisfactory tariff act for any given year.
1t is simply impossible to frame one which
shall remain Satisfactory through q term
of nna of tho t,aratftap nf ha
protective system is the necessity for
constant readJustmens and perpetual
change. 30 long as we haye tariff, the
tariff question will be always with us.
Recognizing this, the most thoughtful
students OF the subject are seeking q
means to minimize the necessary po-
lit,oal disturbance and agitation Incl
dent to the perpetual readjustment of
schedules to the changing conditions
of oor industrial and commercial
| life, o means to take the tariff so for as
possible, out OF politics, though il can
not be kept out his legislation. This
search is certainly encouraged by the
result OF the late election, revesllpg, as
it did, that all the strenuous efforts Of
both parties had failed to make the
tariff an issue OF party politics, or ex-
tract decisive verdict upon it from the
popular vote.
One of the most saoacious thinkers and
| Legislators of the present congress a
man who has had more or less TO do with
all the tariff and revenue legislation OF
the last ten years, himself protection
ist in principle, but moderate in prac-
tice, believes that the true remedy for
the entire prominence of the tariff cues
tion in party politics. and the nischiey-
oas agitation and friction conneetec,
With the necessary frequent reaiinat
ment of the tsyiff schedules by CONGRESS-
lis to be found in the establishment Of a
permanent tariff commission. with in
auisitory and advisory powers. which
saould originate ali plans and sugges
tions for changes in the existing law
This gentleman was little surnr,sed
when I told him that the Pioneer Press
hgd advocated for wears. in the in terest
CT rational ana moderate revenue re
form, the very device he now favored. as
tha means TO a proper maintenance oi
the protective system. The COINCIDENCE
ought to be good omen for the nlti
mate uniyersa aooentahilitv Of the iaea
The last tariff eornmission. thonot
, ephemeral in eharaoter and limited IN
soope. accumulated great boav o.
valuable information and evidence. enc
Ield the foundation for the only die
and comprehebsiy. tariff Ieaisiatinn tbal
has beon achieved since the war, If il
had been permanent body. chsreec
With the duty of Watching the operation
! of the tariff OF 1883, studipe it's effect
a pon the business of the country. re
Jmmending needed changes and pro.
gressIve reforms, and performing il
general the function of an expert, non
partisan, non politial committee OF con
! gress, the HISTORY of su ubseauent attempts
of tariff LEGISLATION might have been les!
improbable, and their results more
valuable.
The plan which is taking form in The
mind of at least one very iLhuentia
member OF congress, eontemplates com
mission like that of 1852, only larger ant
more representative, made up OF nem
bers OF both political parties, and al
shades OF tariff opinion, though of cours,
dominsted by the views OF the admins
tration and party in power. Its mem
berB would be appointed by the presI
J dent and confirmed by the senate, an.
, would hold for fixed terms, expiring
like those OF the interstate commission
! at diffrent times, that the commission
, might not be exposed to sudden an,
violent changes through change OF ad
J ministration. OF course it ls contem
! plated that the commission should b
: made up of the btst qualified expert
, lstudents of tariff and revenue economy
Ill Its office would be to hear evidence q
/ a court and recommend to congress as
4 committee such changes as il deeme,
. necessary in the revenue laws from tim