New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-19
UDK NOT 10 DO III.


SENATOR'S Aldrich and HiscocS have taken a
prominent part in the preparation OF the larin
bill have spent months of hard labor upon IT.,
and realize its importance to the country. lhey
have right to feel proud of their work, for, al
though their bill contained some errors which
ought not 70 and in all probability will not get
through n Conference Committee If they DO
through the Senate. the bill reported by the
Senate Committee corrects some errors hiduo
nv the House. and would be of great value 10
many industries upon which multitudeS OF men
and women depend for livelihood. BUT now
il is said that these Senators in their anxiety 10
nress the Tariff bill have been active III nego-
tiation for abandonment of the Election BILL IN
consideration Of Democratic assent to speedy
rote on the tariff. In due time the record Will
show whether this is true, or how lar II Is 'rue'
But would those Senators feel that 1t was rIeht
for Senator's IIoar and Spooncr, who are IN the
same way deeply interested III the Elec'loh
hill 10 ioin with the Democrats Ill defeating
the Tariff bill? Obviously not, but can one
course be excused if not the other?
These two bills are both essentially and
eouallv Marty measures. and were framed IN
order to carry into effect the most deliberate
and emphatic pledges given by the Republican
party in the National campaign OF 1883 ana
in various State platforms. Neither the party
rs n whole nor any Senator has one whit more
right to ignore one pledge than the other. II
Messrs. Aldrich and HiScock find objection 10
some details of the Election bill, so MesSrS.
Uoar and Spooner doubtless object to some
narts Of the Tariff bill. Neither would be OK
in 1ofnn TING a Marty
measure without effort to reach removal Of
objections through a party caucus. Especlaliy
would neither be justified in conSortlng WIN
Democrats to defeat party measure.
The short way not TO succeed, for the trends
Of either measure, is to deny fair and loyll
marty support to the other. II Is the strong
conviction of Senator's IIoar and Spooner, OF
about half the Republican Senators and lar
more than half the Republican members OF the
House. that the Election bill is at least as I'M
portant as the Tariff bill, because 1t involves
the most sacred rights of all citizens III the
present and the possibility of beneiioent legs
lation in the future If it is a proper thing 10
defeat one party measure in order to help an
other. NIessrs. IIoar and Spooner would have
fully as strong and logical position in making
| everything utpcllu upoh bip P'"''"oN W
| Flection bill as other Senators can have IN
/ sacrificing everything to the Tariff bill
/ Democratic votes will not pass either. a
morum of Republican Senators will have t'
he found under the rules as they now stand, tC
make the passage of either bill "A possibility
Nessrs. IIoar and Spooner, by simply refusing
10 STAY in the Senate when final vote comes
could retalate for the indifference shown
toward measure they deemed most lmpOr
tant and the Democrats would then do wha
tbey chose. That sort Of thing can be easily
and surely avoided if all Republicans will stanc
ND like men for the pledges Of their party anC
make sure that final vote shall be reached OF
both measures. Then if individual Senators
cannot accept either, they have the right Il
take the responsibility.
But this can be done only by changing th'
rules. A resolution fixing August 30 for th'
final vote on one bill. and September or i
for the final vote on the other, in both case
without further debate or dilatory motions
could be passed by the same number OF lie
nublican votes which will be necessary TO pas
either of the important bills, if the Democrat
please to refrain from voting. For such
resolution Republicans who consider either bll
the more important ought to vote unltedly,
the only way now left to get final action OF
either without trading with the adversary.