The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-29

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COMMERCIAL oBsTEUCTIoSIsTs.
In its preparation, at every stage OF It's
consideration in both branches OF con-
gress. and with reference to its application
and It's merits ever since its enactment,
the Mckinney tariff act has been sub
iected TO an obstructive opposition and
concerted Misrepresentation more per-
sistent. more determined. more violent
and more cunning than has ever been
brought to bear against any other great
measure Of legislative reform in the United
States.
Simple as are its provisions; numerous
and liberal as are its additions to the free
list: plain and explicit as is its con-
Torrance TO the pledged Republican policy
Of adequate protection for all American
commodities With which there has been
destructive foreign competition, ten
months we're consumed in its passage
through congress, and even that or an in
definitely longer time would have been
insufficient but for the heroic action of
Speaker Reed.
Parliamentary sharp practice and legis-
iative obstruction were but the incidental
preIiminaries Of the difficulties with which
it had TO contend. After these had ex-
hausted their futile efforts for its defeat,
and ii had become the law OF the land, as
such entitled to the respect Of all good
citizens and to 0 fair trial. the opposition
became only the more inteB<iAed, an IN
paralleled campaign Of detraction and
misrepresentation was at once inaugurated
against it, through the press, on the hust-
ings and by every manner of insidious
device Thus was developed settled de-
termination that the law should not have
fair trial aud should be misindged.
By these means many thousands of peo-
pie, whom it was intended and designed
TO benefit, we're deceived and prejudiced
against the law. But its authors and
friends. confident In their own integrity
and in the wisdom and justice of the meas
ure. we're in nowise cast down or discour-
aged. Sanguine that the operation Of the
law would in due time work its own and
their vind;cation, and that in the legiti-
mate course Of events this would be effected
in advance of the great and decisive strug-
gle of 1892, they were content to bide their
time and await verdict based on the
sober second thought of the people.
But now they are confronted by an OBJ
stacle which threatens to thwart their
expectation Of fair trial of the measure
for protracted period. The most subtle.
ingenious, daring and potent enemy of
this great measure has been found in the
class who import those lines of foreign
commodities against which this law was
manly intended TO protect the home pro-
ducers. If ITS operation in this behalf can
be delayed, just so long an appreciation Of
It's chief objects and merits can be post
poned.
With cunning foresight and confident
daring the importers anticipated and dis
counted the passage of this Law by order
ing enormous stocks of foreign merchan-
disc, TO arrive before the law should take
effect. In many lines il is estimated that
these importations are sufficient TO supply
the market for two years TO come. So ex-
cessive were they that the demand for
money to pay the duties on them very
materially helped 10 create the stringency
with which the country has been afflicted.
Then came the appeal, lin order 10 avert
a financial crisis for an extension until
February LIST Of the time for taking these
goods out of bond. Out of proper consid-
Grafton for the general welfare this appeal
was complied with. But now with the
approach of February, with the stringency
bat partially relieved, and confidence but
partially restored. comes another appeal
for further extension until July. On the
same grounds as before this also may be
| granted.
Thus to the prejudice of those who i'm
port and pay the increased rates of duty,
and in larger degree 10 the detriment OF
| the home industries the law was intended
TO foster and build up. the government
viii be made party 20 this last and most
| grievous obstruction 20 the operation oil
| the Mckinley act. For the full term OF
six months-possibly for longer time
| the governments warehouses viii be used
for the storage Of goods imported for the
| deliberate purpose of thwarting the main
! objects Of federal statute,
| And the chances are more than even
that these same favored importers viii aid
| and abet Democratic newspapers and
| speakers in charging upon the law the
failure to accomplish the purposes it was
designed to accomplish, and which they
I -
4 thwart. II has been the common fate O.
| great legislative reforms 10 meet with ob
stacles, but none have been confronted
| BY such difficulties and such unfair treat
ment as have beset the Mckinley act from
| nrst 70 last.