The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-02
Divided RennhIicans.

There is trouble among the republicans in
congress, and Sir. Blaine is responsible for
it. His reciprocity policy mas disturbed their
harmony and interfered with the plans of
some OF their leaders. This condition of
affairs promises t. obstruct the passage of
the tariff bill, and, if it does not defeat it
may cause it to be greatly changed.
When Mr. Blaine first publicly suggested
his reciprocity policy the President seemed
to favor it. He does not favor it now. He
heard from Speaker Reed, Maj. McKinle y
and other leaders who are opposed to it. and
he concluded that he had made mistake in
favoring IL.
The reciprocity policy. however, has
pretty firm footholi in the Senate. 1t is
stated that nearly all the republican men,
bers of the finance committee think well Of
it, and it IS known that Other republican
senators viii vote for IL if the opportunity
to do so is presented. If, therefore, the
democratic senators should favor it there is
no doubt that it would appear in the tariff
bill in some shape.
If the bill should go back to the House so
changed as TO sanction the reciprocity policy
it would not inest with approval The
ways and means committee has already
decided against that policy and would do SO
again. Mr.. Reed and Dir. Mckinley domi-
nate the committee, aud they are against
anything proposed by Mr.. Blaine.
If tie Senate should be firm for reciprocity
and the House should be equally firm
against it, congress would, in all probable
ity, adjourn without passing a tariff bill.
In that event there would be no expressions
of regret in any part of the country. There
is no demand for such tariff legislation as
the Mckinley bill provides. There is, how
ever, demand, and very strong one, for
tariff reduction. The Mckinley bill doesn't
reduce the tariff. 1t increases it.
But the failure of the tariff bill because
of the opposition of some of the republican
leaders to the reciprocity policy would be
a triumph for Mr.. Blaine, and would greatly
increase his popularity.
But is there probability that the Senate
will incorporate the reciprocity policy in
the tariff bill! There certainly is, because
that policy is generally approved in all
parts OF the country. The farmers now
know that the tariff bill, if it
should be passed in its present
shape, would not benefit them. 1t
would increase their burdens. Mr..
Blaine recently told them that
it does not open a market for an addi.
tional bushel of wheat or corn or an addi-
tional barrel Of pork. They know they
must have othe: markets for their surplus
products, and they favor the reciprocity
policy because it promises to open new mar
kets.
Speaker Reed, Mr.. Mckinley, the Presi-
dent and Others may oppose the reciprocity
policy, but their opposition can hardly be
in the face of the popular demand
for it. The senator's are much more likely
to listen totheir constituents than they are
to respect the wishes of the President and
Messrs Reed and Mckinley.
1t is alleged that it is the purpose of
Messrs. Reed, Mckinley and other republi-
can leaders to drive Mr.. Blaine out of the
cabinet and destroy his popularity. 1t looks
as if they would not be able to do either Of
these things. In view of the fact chat the
rank and file of his party are with him in
this reciprocity business, he is pretty GER
tain to get the best of the fight he is hav-
ing with certain of his party's leaders,
whether his reciprocity policy is approved
by congress or not.