New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-01
MR. SPRINGER'S BILLETS.

Mr. Springer's plecemeal policy prevails. The
Democrats Of the House are afraid OF the tarf
issue. upon which they built their best hopes Il
few months ago. They are also AFRAID OF the
silver issue, and have not quite the courage To
make distinct issue Oh the rules OF the House
and the usupation and tyranny Of the
Sneaker Embazoned upon their banner they
ought to place this inspiring motto: lie VINO
fights and runs away may live to fight another
day
NIesSrs Springer Crisp * Co. would like to
have it understood that they do not run away
from the tariff question. They pretend to be-
ieve though they really know better, that the
people are as hostile to the new tariff as they were
supposed to be u year ago. III Democrats dId
really believe this, how long would 1t take them
to pass a bill, showing the country definitely
what sort of tariff would follow Democratic
victory? They dare not because they know that
thousands of voters would leave them If they
should be consistent, but other thousands if they
should be inconsistent; thousands If they should
start toward free trade, but other THOUSANDS II
they should only try to correct excuses or detects
in Protection. 1t takes some manhnesS and some
courage to face the responsibility OF definite leglS-
la,iOn when every step is liable to lose some votes
Such maninesS and courage the Republicans
showed when they passed the Mckinley bill.
l., tho Democrats imagine the peoGic would
ratnes trust the party which, with more than a
tw,.ih,rl, majority III the House, does not dare
TO frame any hi. whatever
II takes some ability, and some knowledge also
to frame a tariff. such ability and knowledge
as tho Democrats have on the subject they have
sent to the rear. Judging from the past they
have never yet had enough to do them any good
The Morrison and \nls bills both cost the party
votes. If Mr. Springels bits OF bills. or bIlciS,
fire any letter, he Will be fortunate. In onci-
inc them ne cmieSSeS that the parry has not the
ability to frame measure upon which 1t Is ready
10 sand. True, he PROCESSES that the Httic DIS
are preferable to Il general bill only because inc
latter could not be passed over President veto.
But he knows that the very same objection eAl''S
to any little bills he dares to report; the President
would certainly veto them if they should ever
reach him. and they could not be passed over the
veto. Why is palpably nsincerc reason given f,r
the ccuse preferred? Obviously, because the
marty dare, not take the other course, but hates
to admit that it does not dare.
Nothing will be lodged and nothing Gyldcd by
this course, except a CncnCc ol u4>pdt ih0 Hiii'1
character and practical craftsmanship. FOR Mr..
Springer is right in holding that the party could
not be mere thoroughly committed against Pro-
lection than it now is. But the people OF tins
country, being practical and sensible, want TO
know in what way and how far the Democa'ic
marty means to make war on the Protective policy
1t has offered the Morrison bill and the Mills BILL
The people have condemned them both. 1t has
offered Mr.. Cleveland's freewOol message and
the people condemned that Still 1t cred III
1890 "Givc us chance to show what We can
do The people gave the Democratic party
another chance and it does nothing.
The piecemeal policy is simply refusing TO
attempt anything. Mr.. Springer would holly
deny that the few small bills he may offer touch
all that he considers Objectionable i'll the plcscnt
tariff. lie will not allow these 10 be tlke! aS m
effort to correct excuses and abuses il that tariff.
They cannot be taken as proof Of pulEcsc 10
clear away protective duties generally. 20 the
party must be judged by the general measures
heretofore offered. 1t has a chance to show that
it can do something better now. But il docs not
dare t. try. For the new tariff as il stands,
whatever its defects may be, is stronger with
the people than any the Democratic party has
the practical sense or the courage to propose.