New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-05
THE TARIFF BILL IN TIE SENATE.

THE TARIFF BILL lN IHE cHN9AH
The House Tariff bill, with the notifications
proposed by the Senate Committee, has been
before the public long enough to have definite
opinions about it formed and expressed. The
measure has been roundly berated by all who
are hostile to protective duties, though OF late
they have been trusting mainly to divisions OF
the protective force. These people, without an
exception yet observed, insist that 1T would be
wise and statesmanlike to put back the whole
or part of the duty on sugar, in order to pre-
pare the way for reciprocity but to open the
doors to free wool from South America.
large majority of those who uphold the pro-
tective policy at all regard the pending meas
ure with satisfaction, and earnestly hope that
il NAV soon become law. Not single pub
lie journal is now recalled, which has favored
protection, that does not approve the essential
features of the bill. While there is more or
less criticism of certain Details much less OF
that is heard than was heard when other re-
visions of the tariff were pending, and much
less than was expected in respect to this very
measure when it was first reported to the
House.
The reason is that the work OF compromise
and adjustment has been done with much care
and skill. so that in the main the wishes OF the
great body of the people have been regarded
Executions there certainly are, some OF which
have of late elected far more unfrlendly com
ment than all the more important features Oh
the bill. Thus the addition made In the SEN
ate Committee to the duty on refined sugar
meets scarcely any approval except from those
directly interested. The change in the duties
ON fax and linen goods is pronounced by COM
petent Judges a great mistake, on the GROUND
that it will render the duties as uselessly bur-
densome as they have been, depriving them OF
the desired protective efficiency. These are
not small matters, and it is to be hoped that
the Senate will consider them seriously. But
a few errors do not by any means outweigh the
merits of measure carefully adjusted in more
than thousand provisions to meet the needs
of American industry.
1t appears surprising to many that the sug-
gestions looking toward reciprocity with South
American countries have not had more weight
in Congress. But they have been carefully
considered for several months, and by senators
and REPRESENTATIVES whose duty it has been to
ascertain the wishes of the people. 1t was the
Indictment of Republicans in the House, and OF
Republican Senators of the Finance Committee
that the increased duties on wool and the re-
moyal of duties on sugar were the precise feat
ures of the measure which commanded the
strongest popular approval If these, or either
of them, should be taken out OF the bill, 1t Is
certain that it would meet great opposition
where public opinion now favors 1t, and those
who have excellent means of information be-
lieve that the bill would not then have ma
jority in either House.
The Senate is expected to take up the Dill
next week, with the prospect that the usual
wearying succession of interminable speeches
will take the place of what ought to be gen.
eral debate Unless the majority is willing to
be rendered impotent and helpless by the MI
nority, some step to terminate discussion ana
secure a vote may be found necessary The
Democratic Senator's, who profess to believe
that the passage OF this Tariff bill would great
ly help their party, might with much propr1ety
show their faith by their works on this occa-
sion. and refrain from useless opposition that
means mere waste of time. If they are able
to muster majority against the bill, the sooner
that is shown the better. II they are not, the
public prosperity would be greatly promoted
by speedy decision.