Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-12-05

gress Is congratulated on Its passage
he recent session of San unusual number
laws OF very high importance" promi'
among them being the new tariff Law
these laws will tend, it is believed, 70
ken our home industries and enlarge
foreign market for our breadstuffs and
bisions. "Some," however, "of these
Measures were enacted at so late o period
that the beneficial effects upon commerce
which were in the contemplation Of Con.
gress have as yet but partially mani ested
themselves" General trade shows improve
ment. In the last fiscal year we imported
$6S, 900 600 worth less than we exported-a
"balance in our favor" But the apprehen-
sion that our tariff may "again and at once"
be altered would cause general depression.
The recent general advance in prices "was
by many enormously attributed to the tariff
act" A new revision is not favored. "There
is neither wisdom nor justice in the sugges-
ton that the subject of tariff revision shall
be again opened before the law has had
fair trial" All tariff laws have defects, and
the last is no exception. "But in its general
scope and effect think it will Justify the
support of,those who believe that Ameri-
can legislation should conserve and defend
American trade and the wages of American
workmen" Experience will reconcile the
people to the new tariff and correct the
transformation as to its terms which has
been SO widely disseminated"
The reciprocity clause of the act is deem
ed highly valuable, and the two bills before
Congress 10 provide subsidies for steamship
owners wishing to go into the foreign trade
are recommended for passage.
| In addition TO the important bills that be.
came laws in the first session of the present
| Congress, some other bills Of the n44xaes'
| Importance were well advanced toward 8
| final vote" Their speedy consideration and
passage is urged, including in their number
the subsidies bills, already mentioned, the
bankruptcy bill, the Supreme Court relief
bill and the force bill. In the way OF new
measures it is recommended that an appor-
tionment bill, bill to incorporate an inter.
national American bank, a Spanish land
grant commission bill, copyright bill, q
railroad couplers bill and water supply
distribution bill are recommended to BIZ
taken up and passed.
In the last annual message of the Presi
dent it was suggested that the existing fed
era election laws be developed" 80 as tt
provide effective federal supervision of con
gressional elections. The suggestion is re-
! newed Free and honest elections are ar
essential condition of national life. "Bu
| electlOn laws ana mcUnOuS dTe Souietiiuc'
cunningly contrived to secure minority con
troll" An expansion of the existing fedora
election laws has been denounced as if il
were new exercise of federal power. "lts
probable effectiveness is evidenced by the
character of the opposition to it." The prac
tical question is not whether we shall have
a federal election law, but whether we shall
have an effective law. The present law
"stops short of effectiveness" in surrender
ing ito local authorities all control over the
certificaton which establishes the -prima
facie right to seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives. This defect should be cured
Nor should it be forgotten that every law
has force behind 1.-THE courts, the marshal
the posse comitatus, the prison. 1t is said
this legislation will revive race animosities
but if the law is equal these animosities
ought not to be confessed without shame
| No choice is left to me but to enforce with
vigor laws 10 secure to the citizen his con
stitutional rights and TO recommend that
the inadequaces of such laws be promptly
remelied"