St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-20
ALDRICH ON TARIFFS.
The Senator Discusses Pending
Investigations.

WASHINGTON. Dec. Ex-senator Nelson W.
Aldrich was more deeply interested in the
framing of what is known as the Mckinley
law than any other member Of the senate,
and the investigation which is now being
conducted by the senate committee on
finance is being carried out on plan out
lined by him.
1T is mistake, " said Senator Aldrich, Ito
assume that we are engaged solely in 1nves-
tigating the operation of the recen: tariff
law. The inquiry which we are conducting
is chiefly into the course OF prices
and wages for the past fifty years.
The nearest approach we will make to
! considering the effects of the recently
| enacted law will be in the inquiry into the
! course of retail prices Of the articles of gen
eral consumption for the period from June,
| 1889, to September, 1891. We are engaged in
! purely statistical inquiry. When this is
fully completed, the committee wall. OF
| course, take into consideration the causes
| which have influenced changes in prices and
averages. The inquiry. however. will not be
completed. probably, before May or June
| next"
In answer to a question in regard to the
nature of the data already received. the SEN
! ator said:
THE committee has decided, as think
very properly, not TO make any statement OF
partial report of the progress of its work OF
to give out for publication any differences OF
its own in regard to its significance.
In regard TO the nature Of the report likely
|
the committee will lie able to agree unani
mously in their statement of ascertainint
facts and in regard to many of the cause
that have been, from time 10 time
effective in producing economic changes
In regard, however. to the single question a.
to the effect which the tariff changes hav'
had upon the peoples welfare, within th'
| period named il is too much TO expect tina
+ / an agreement will be reached between tn
} majority and minority of the committees
When asked if the Republicans would pro
2 pose any amendments to the law at tn
present session, the senator replied: 'Th
T friends of the measure would naturally pre-
] fer that all of its provisions should be falrl
] tested before any amendments are adopted
/ The senate has no power 10 initiate changes
2 and with the present organization of IN
| house, ii is safe to assume that all attempt
: at modification will be in their nature IN
] friendly to the general purposes of the act
. ] take it for granted that no plan OF attac
: has yet been agreed upon in the house, an
s that none will be unless it is known who
TO lead the assault"
T Twill the tariff and the silver questions b
t | the chief issues in the coming campaign:
s Undoubtedly. There will be an unsucces:
full attempt made to raise other issues. Tn
Il | Democrats will, for instance, try to make
: record for economy by reducing appropriS
s tons. j believe. however. that they will nc
succeed III awakening public interest or j
n ! winning popular favor for this plan. II th
n appropriations for the regular expenses G
It the government are largely reduced. the eff
IS cheney of the public service will be cripple
o or paralyzed. A device, merely TO postpon
l. the necessary appropriations for Sc
sion, with the certainty of creating Ell