Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09

A nervous, lively interest in the plan of
battle for 1892 has quickly succeeded to the
emotions produced by the contest of Tues
day. When everybody with an idea about
politics fancies that lne mantle OF prophet
Las fallen upon his shoulders, hewilder-
ing lot of nonsense finds copious express
sion. Most OF this nonsense is about the
tariff
1t is true enough that the issue between
the Republicans and Democrats in 1892 will
be the tariff unless one thing occurs to pre-
vent. A quite possible circumstance which
would efectuaIlv remove Tue tariff from the
position Of the main point in dispute would
be the success of the Mckinley bill. The
DISPATCH has been at pains to show that
the greater part Of the condemnation and
prejudice against the Mckinley bill
results not from its actual workings
but from the general attempt to
increase prices on the preteEt or suppo-
sltion that the bill Itself would necessarily
call for such an increase. But whether 1t
will or not has 10 be tested. An atom Of re-
HectiOn must convince any one who thinks
worth while to ref eCt at all that the forces
Of competition viii soon correct unfair ad-
Yauces in the mercantile markets, as well as
extravagant or extortionate profits among the
manufacturers. That Is to say, if American
manufacturers take advantage OF the eXclu-
sion Of foreign goods by high duties TO run
up the prices Of their own products tOa point
ST which greedy prcis> eusue to them, cap
ital. which is ever alert Tor opportunities,
viii soon invade the inviting field, and the
last state OF the over-Creedv will be worse
than their first Isit not true that the actual
operation OF high protective tariff has been
in the end greatyto reduce the cost Of many
OF the staple products 10 which il has been
applied. in place Of increasing them? This
has been sigHaily our experience in steel
rails, plate glass, paper and dozen other
commodities that u ght be named.
Ii wisdom, courage aad consistency can
be expected from the Republican majority
in the United States Senate that majority
will resist 10 the last any attempt to alter
the Mckinley bill until the bill has had
fax trial. The Democrats IN the House may
attempt to get up q law Of their own,
they dld in So. but the Republican Senate
has the power to ensure two years trial for
the Mckinley bill If those two years be
years Of prosperity, Of expanded industries
10 meet the enlarged demand of the home
market, in short, of fair satisfaction with
the tariff schedule which is EOw being crIti-
cised, but not vet tried, the Democrats viii
hardly repeat their folly Of IS by making in
~ again q square issue against the pro-
teclive system.
Protection OF q tarif for revenue only sig
niles strictly business question. 1t is to
be determined by the laws OF trade and by
the circumstances OF the country, and not in
the least by emotional politics. A popular
vote may retard or promote the final solu-
iion as TO the policy which the interests of
the country demands, but il cannot make
suitable that which is unsuitable, or rice
gcrsG Thus far the trials have resulted in
favor Of protection. Better wait for a trial
OF the Mckinley bill before condemning itl