The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-06-26
Washington Letter.

From our correspondent,
Washington, ID. O., June %, 1890.
What has become Of the principle |
Of protection so prominent in the
Chicago platform in 1882
The hardest blow ever yet received
by the tariff, and the tariff ring, here
tofore the sole issue and source OF sus-
tenanee, respectively, OF the republi
can party, has just been delivered by
the President. He has had occasion
to be seriously provoked by the man
ner in which his suggestions were
tabled during the present session, by
both houses of Congress.
In fact, the old Republican ship is at
sea, and in heavy gale OF wind. She
has driited among dangerous rocks
that threaten her with destruction
The pilot has ordered "hard port, y
and the G. O.P. is now drifting before
the wind, directly out OF the course
that it has pursued from such a 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
if and silver questions were so occult,
and the intricacies and interests OF
his political position so great and va
rious that the President chose to re-
frain from any public expression on
the subjects. Nevertheless, he man
aged to have his exact ideas on both
questions conveyed to the prominent
Republican members. But, in spite Of
that caution, his own party has made
the present administration appear
ridiculous and contemplate.
When that body of illustrious anC
conservative statesmen in the Senate
flew offon a wild tangent, and depart
ing from every sound principle OF pc
litical economy passed the Silver Bill
the ill.tidings Of its action nearly tool
away the Harrison's breath. He Ger
ta:nly deserves forgiveness, blue
: blooded Presbyterian though he is, l
he made some remarks emphati
) enough to bring blush to the cheek
; OF Mr.. Wanamaker.
u AS the matter stands, few mel
> who own silver mines in the West
propose to arrange the whole busi
: ness of the country for their persona
K benefit. 1t is natural that they shout
" want steady market for their pre-
u duct. The bill, which they have jus
= succeeded in passing through the Ser
b ate, makes the government thei
= regular customer, which is obliged t
d pay them an exhorbitant price 70
: their ore-a price that it would nj
3. command in the market.
n The President has been pricked I
3, heroic measures to recover from tn
~ blunder 1t is broad departure fC
g. his party to make, in travelling frol
20 the position it has held so long,
Free Trade. But to make the iournt
easier, as the first stage the Preside
proposes to extend commercial liber
y only to the countries to the Wesie'
hemisphere.
On The document, which was sent
A. Congress through the medium OF Il
IT. Secretary OF State, is very long al
be with it was transmitted report of Il
" Pan-American Congress recommen
ID ing treaties of reciprocity with Anne
can countries.
int The increase of the duty on wool
s protested as restricting trade, and /
Sc terly useless and unnecessary. I
he Mckinley tariff bill is sternly attac
ed generally and in detail. T
r. finance committee OF the Senate &
=, knowledges that personal assault h
". been made upon it by the Preside
" and Secretary OF State.
ID An amendment to the tariff bill "
offered and introduced into the Sc
ck ate by Mr.. Hale, Of Maine, the intima
friend OF the Secretary.
b. 1t provided that the ports Of t
United States shall be declared Fl
an, and open to the products OF a
country in America, whenever su
ice country shall admit free bread stul
Inc provisions, and other food produc
ny petroleum, and other articles from t
United States.