The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-17
THE CONGRESS AND THE TARIFF.

THE CONGRESS- AND THE TARIFF
The present senate of the United
States contains forty-seven Republi
cans, thirty-nine Democrats and two
members of the Farmers Alliance OF
Populist party.
The terms for twenty-o OF these
members will expire March next.
Eighteen of these are Republicans and
three are Democrats. 1t is reasonable
to suppose that of these three the
Democrats will not lose one, for even
Senator Turpee of Indiana, is now as
sured of reelection.
That latter was the only reduction
that was apparent in the present
number of Democatic senators.
OF the eighteen Republican senators
whose terms expire, ten are reason
ably sure of election. At this writing
the other eight are very uncertain, ex-
cept Senator Hiscock of New York,
who will be succeeded by a Democrat
1t car not be supposed that the Demo-
Gratis will obtain enough senators by
March A to secure both branches of
congress and the presidency, to the
Democratic party, giving it control OF
the government.
The most careful calculation under
the present returns shows that the
house of representatives of the
next congress will contain, as
far as reliably heard from,
Democrats 1875, Republicans 107, Peo'
Piles party g. The clear Democratic
majority CT the lower house will not
be less than so. The Republicans will
still hold check on the Democratic
administration by small majority in
the senate.
1t remains to be seen whether the
overwhelming denunciation of the
protective tariff will have any effect
upon the senate.
The administration will be hamper
ed by it, but to what extent is yet
conjectural. The senate is a con-
sentative body and will no doubt
be Influenced to a large
ext ent by the express ed will of such a
majority of the people. There can be
no doubt that the Republican senate
will yield to the reduction of the tariff |
as it now exists under the Mckinley
bill, for if they refused to do 50 it
would invite the total destl uction of
the Republican party
The temper of the c"p!e On that
subject is fully known aud the Re-
publican senator who cares ior his
place and the existence of his party
would not dare brave that temper OF
such maj ority of the people.
We therefore may expect a modifica-
ton cf the Mckinley law to such
an extent only as perhaps would be
safe under the present condition of
the country. That may satisfy the de-
maud of the people for the present,
but the result of this election means
more than that. 1t means complete
change of policy on the subject of the
tariff, it may mean such modification
as would lease incidental protection tC
infant industries at very moderate
tariff figure. it iaay mean a tariff for
revenue Only and strictly, and it may
mean frte trade.
Whatever it does mean we may
rest ISSUED will be accomplished.
This great tidal wave may sweep
away the whole structure of a
tariff on imports and the adoption of
some other system of taxation for rev
enue purposes.
At any rate it means such a modifi-
cation as will finally amount to revo-
luton, peaceable of course, and an
inauguration of a policy that will give
free wings to commerce aud a pros
perity bountiful and wonderful, and
such as the country has never expe-
rienced since its origin. God grant
that the day may soon dawn and the
sun of prosperity may throw its eff
iulgent bea MS into every household in
this broad land.