Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
lr,om our reanlar correspopdept. !


WASHINGTON, D. c., June %, 1890
What has become of the principle of
protection 40 prominent in the Chica-
20 platform of 1888?
The hardest blow yet received by the
Tariff, and the tariff ring. heretofore
the sole issue and source of sustenance,
respectfully, of the republican party,
has lust been delivered by the Presl-
dent. He has had occasion to be serl-
ously provoked by the manner IN
which his suggestions were tabled dur
ing the present session, by both Houses
Of Congress. e,. t
In fact, the old Republican Ship is at
sea. and in heavy gale Of wind. she
has drifted amongst dangerous rocks
that threaten her with destruction
The pilot has ordered "hard to porF'
and the G.. o. P. is now drifting before
the wind, directly out of the course
that it has pursued "from sucn time
that the memory of man runneth not
to the contrary"
The constitution authorizes and en-
courages the president to frequently
offer advice to Congress. But the TAR
iff and silver questions were so occult,
and the intricacies and interests OF his
political position SO great and various
that the President chose to refrain from
anv public expression on the subjects.
Nevertheless he managed to have his
exact ideas on both questions conveyed
to the prominent republican members.
Rut. in spite of that caution, his own
uarty has made the present admins
tration appear ridiculous and contempt
ible.
When that body of illustrious and
conservative statesmen in the Senate
flew ofron q wild tangent, and depart
ing from every sound principle Of polit'
ical economy passed the Silver Biii, the
ill-tidings Of its action nearly tooR
away the Harrison's breath. He Ger
tainly deserves forgiveness, blue-Oiood
ed PRESBYTERIAN though he Is. IL ~
made some remarks emphatic enougf
TO bring q blush to the cheeks OF Mr
Wanamaker.
As the matter now stands, few mel
who own silver mines in the West
nropose to arrange the whole business
Of the country for their personal bene
At II is natural that they shoult
want a steadv market for their product
The bill, which they had just succeed
ed In passing through the Senate make
the government their regular customer
which is obliged to pay them an exnor
bitant price for their ore--a price tina
it would not command In the mar
ket. /.
heroic measures to recover from IN
blunder. It is broad departure 70
his sparty to make, In travelling fror
the position it has held so long, to Ere
Trade. But to make the journey eas
Ter. az the first stage the President pr
noses to extend commercial liberty on
" to countries Of the Western-hem
The document which was sent
Congress through the medium Of tn
Secretary of State, is very long and wit
Il was transmitted report OF the Pal
American Congress, recommeDdin
treaties of reciprocity with America
The increase of the, duty on wool
protested against as restricting trade
and utterly useless and unnecessary. TE
Mckinley tariff bill is sternly attacke'
0enerally. and in detail. The Finan'
committee ofthe Senate acknowledge
that q personal assault has been mac
upon it by the President and Secretal
An Amendment to the tariff bl
was offered and introduced In the Sc
ate by Mr.. Hale OF Maine, the intima
friend of the Secretary. :,
II provided that the ports Of u
limited States shall be declared free al
omen to the products ofany country
America, whenever such country shi
admit free bread stuffs, provisions 81
other food products, petroleum al
other articles from the United States.
The message declares that a6solu
freedom of trade with the countries
America "would lead to the opening
new and profitable markets for the pl
ducts of which we have so large 81
plus, and thus invig0rate every bran
Of agricultural and mechanical ind'
triee.n
It was urged that to take the duty
sugar and wool would give the Sou
Americas countries an advantage o.
the United States, In comnerce; but
was recommended that the ports be
absolutely free to all American COZ