The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-19

sEaTTLE February 70. isa2.
To THE EpTIoE: Al acts, o: rather lack OF
acts. Of the Fiity-sseond congress prove con-
elusiyelv thst the controlling party of the lower
House Is hopelessiy divided into two factions.
one is & faction OF principle led BY Mr.. Mills;
the other g faction OF policy led By Mr.
Springer.
The ars: Believes that the interest of
the country can be best served By 9 tariff
for revenue oaly. True 10 that principle
they cesire, and justly so. since the country
gave them large majority ST the last election.
to carry ;heir principle into effect and revise
the tariff ell around, strip il OF every semblauce
OF protection and have IS near the necessary
revenue OF the country will permit free trade
However we may differ IN opinion with that
faction o. the Democratic party, We cannot help
but admit It's honsstv OF purpose its willingness
70 live or die for the principle in which it be-
heyes. II cares not whether the pronouacing or
the endeavor Of enforcing that principle will
eudengeE the election Of a Democratic president
and the consequent procurement OF political
spoil. Nor does it care whether its acts
pleasing 70 the delicate taste of Tamuany, Hill
o. any other manipulation. 1t has principle
and 10 ready 10 battle for il irrespective OF po-
Htical consequences. The most ardent admlrsr
and defender of the doctrine OF protection IS
compelled to admit that the wing OF the Demo-
cratic party led By NJ. Mills is foe worthy OF
his steel.
Now let Us look AZ the faction OF policy. or, to
use a stereotyped expression, Democrats for
revenue only. Let BY M. Springer, chairman
oil the ways and means committee, they also
Pie 70 De known the Democratic party,
though in all truth they have forfeited every
right TO be recognized even a faction OF por-
ton OF national political party. In my opin-
Ion. and II / am mistaken stand ready 10 be
corrected, the chief ingredient of a national
ps7ty is principle. The party or faction that
through its leader makes the public announce
ment that II no longer mas any principle, but
proposes TO utilize every means, questi unable or
Otherwise, that policy dictates, loses all right to
the distinguis hment as a party; it sinks to the
level OF the ward heller, and with him it can be
justly named a faction for revenue Only.
My almost naInesaze is nothing If not grasp
ing. Not satisfied with being captain, ae aspires
for the position OF drillmasier to the awkward
squad. and in order TO favorably impress them
with his ability, he issued. through the page of
the NORTH Amsrfc1R RevfeU OF this month. q Ill
manual entitled: chow TO Attack the Tariff"
Thanks TO Mr.. springer, the country is taught
tina. the tariff Is subject 20 attack. Until now
VIC always thought hat the tariff was subject
10 reyi,ion, improvement, even abo ishment, If
the calm wisdom Of the country should so die
tate, but that tariff stands TO this country
or. for that matter, to civilization, in the rela
ton OF an enemy to be attacked with any
weapon that policy suggests, was left for Mr.
Springer 10 inform an ignorant world. In fact,
Mr. Springer is so very anxious 10 obtain tn. posi-
ton of drillmsster that in bis manual he treats
the entire tariff question from a military point
of view. He says: "a good general will not
waste his ammunition and resources in
assaults upon an improbable fortress when
there are forces of the enemy encamped
upon the field within convenient reach"
Had Mr. springer read carefully webster's reply
to Hayne he would know the difference between
battlefield and law making chamber. The
advocates of the guerrilla policy forget that
remedies successfully employed to cure mans
corn will surely kill him If applied to his aching
stomach. Methods entirely commendabe in
destroying an enemy are abhorrelt and detesta-
bic when one attempts TO apply them to the
enacting of wise and benehcent laws.
In the one case the general has but one object
In view-to destroy his enemy, no matter at
what cost to his own army or at what loss to
that OF his opponents. He and his army and
everything surrounding him exists only for that
one purpose, to conquer the enemy. In the
other case the objects are manifold. The honest
member Of congress must never lose sight
Of the interests Of the 100000 peo-
pie for whom he legislRtes. Every individual
industry, every single enterprise throughout
the entire country must be taken into consider
alton. Certainly the philosophers principle.
namely, the greatest good for the greatest
number" must ultimately be the guide of a
wel-meaning legislator But how in the name
of common sense can that principle be applied
when laws are TO be enacted on the topsy-turvy
plaza lick here and a patch there? Such
mode OF procedure might serve its purpose on a
field OF battle, where the prime object is 20 tear
down, but is entirely detrimental in legisla-
tive hail. where the prime object should be to
build NJ.
In speaking of the individuality OF intro
ducing general tariff revision measure, Mr..
n ha Of
the past, sound policy would require that it
should not be reported 10 the House until the
beginning OF the next session"
Policy again. In the whole article the word
principle finds no room No attempt is made
to adhers TO it spoil is the only attraction.
Further quotation will prove beyond possible
contradiction that principle IS williully sacri-
feed for the sake of policy. In speaking upon
the Mills bill and the consequent defeat OF the
Democratic party, he says: Whatever may
have been the cause o! Democratic defeat at
that election, il must be conceded that the in
PRODUCTION and passage by the House of a gem
erai hill Of tariff revision did not produce the
effect which the friends OF the measure had
earnestly desired. namely, the choice Of Dem
ocratic president Had a Democratic congress AZ
the ensuing elections" On the same page Mr.
Springer further tells that like fate befeu
the Republican party two years later because
they enacted a general tauf law, namely, the
4 Mckinley bill, snd be comes 20 the conclusion
that caution doubtless suggests the preserya-
ton Of the status quo"
Now what does he mean BY status QUO?
Surely not that the country il satisfied with
the Mckinley bill, for. Il So his stock in trade
is gone No further need, thea, for DEMO
cratic party, and, however much the country
may be satisfied with the present tariff law, he
would be the last rAu in the world to admit II
Z lttnerefore follows that he IS convinced that
the country WAS satisfied with the Repub lean
protective ;gTlf in exisien prior to the enact
uen' OF the Mckinley bill Nj. Springer =. IL
SELF teis rs that TIE country defeated the Demo
Gratis IN ISIS because they attempted 10 change
tie then existing tariff law. Certainly charity
, eoEape.s Inc 10 pardon M. Springer for working
and voting in favor OF the Mills bill on the
grounds o! ignorance. At that time Mr.
Springer would douhtes have claimed taat he
a'd not &now the temper OF the country. The
same MOTIVE might further prompt Us 20 psriol
/ Hl.- !os working and voting against the Mckia.
! .ey b.A, assuming that by tbs; time lie has
teeoGae wise again aud knew that the ccuntrv
I G.i Eot want a Change in the old tariff
AAls ndeA Is certain. lhst according 10 his
| own Interpretation o. pubic sentiment, the
country spoke twice in success. on IN
nanl.siakao.e terms That It is in favor of ,hs
tsT.i that Nj Springer and the entire pauo-
crsnc patty myself included, repeatedly de-
noGuceG rs roseer tsrln. This being the e.se
wasi Is tie plain duty o. the Democratic pNrtv
al tee present moment his own manual e,1.
c,rtes ;Sst The Mckinley bill ousat 10 be- -
pcsied and tae Oh Law restored Yet Mr.
springer r.slu.y tells Us that, according 70 orin
cp.c. thai : the duty % the party; bat he snd
Us faction Will not adhere - principle ta- lear
tbs; such sexton might ends1ssr the election Of
4 Democrats president Cowed luto his p-esea.