Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-06-28
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, D. G. June %, $780,
What has become of the principle of
protection so prominent in the Chica-
go platform of 1888?
The hardest blow yet received by
the Tariff, and the tariff ring, hereto
fore the sole issue and source of susie
nance, respectively, of the republican
party has just been delivered by the
President. He has had occasion to be
seriously provoked by the manner
in which his suggestions were ta-
bled during the present session, by
both Houses.
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 destruc-
ton.
The Pilot has ordered "hard a
port" ard the G. O. P. is now drift
ing before the wind, directly out of
the course that it has pursued "from
such time that the memory Of man
runneth not to the contrary"
The constitution authorizes and en-
cOurages the president 10 frequently
offer advice to Congress. But the
tariff and silver questions
were so occult, and the intrica>
cies and interests of his political posi-
ton so great and various that the
President chose to refrain from any
public expression on the subjects.
Nevertheless he managed to have
his exact ideas on both questions con-
veyed to the prominent republican
members. But, in spite of that eau
ton, his own party has made the
present administration appear ridicu-
lous and contemplate.
The President has been pricked to
heroic measures to recover from the
blunder. 1t is a broad departure for
his party to make, in travelling from
the position it has held so long, to
Free Trade. But to make the jour-
ney easier, as the first stage the Presi~
dent proposes to extend commercial
liberty only to countries Of the Wes-
ern-hemisphere.
The document, which was sent to
Congress through the medium of the
Secretary of State, is very long and
with it was transmitted report of
Pan-American Congress, recommend
ing treaties of reciprocity with
American countries.
The increase of the duty on wool is
protested against as restricting trade,
and utterly useless and unnecessary.
The Mckinley tariff bill is sternly
attacked generally, and in detail.
The Finance committee of the Senate
acknowledges that personal assault
has been made upon it by the Presi.
dent and Secretary Estate.
An amendment to the tariff bill
was offered, and introduced in the
Senate by Mr.. Hale of Maine, the in
innate friend of the Secretary.
, 1t provided that the ports of the
United States shall be declared free
and open to the products of any coun
try of Amerca, whenever such coun'
try shall admit free bread.stuffS, pro-
r visions, and other food products
: petroleum and other articles from the
= United States.
t The message declares that absolute
freedom of trade with the countrie.
: of America "would lead to the open
ing of new and profitable markets fo
5 the products of which we have 81
r large a surplus, and thus invigoratt
e every branch of agricultural and me
: chanical industries"
1t was urged that to take the dut!
:. off sugar and wool would give tht
5 South American countries an advan
$ tage over the United States, in com
. merce but it was recommended tina
= the ports be absolutely free to al
e American countries with which trea
I, tics of recinrOcititv were made.