Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-11-23
Stauntolt Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd.
Republican Legacy to the Democratic
Party.

Legacy to the Democratic
Party.
In the campaign of 1888, the Repub
licans promised that they would, re-
form the tariff of 1883 then existing, by
which the people understood that it
was their purpose to reduce it, as the
Democrats wished to do; but instead
of doing so, when they got in power on
that promise, they increased it; and
not only did that, but spent the 500,
100000 which CleYeland's administra-
ton left in the treasury, and made APP
preparations for pensions and other
purposes which exceed the revenues OF
the government, and have thus impos
ed on the incoming Democratic admin
istration the difficult, if not impossible,
task of devising the means of increas-
ing the revenues of the country, and
at the same time, as they wish to do, to
relieve the people of the unjust bur-
dens imposed on them by the Republi-
can administration. This is the legacy
left by the Republican to the Demo
cratic administration. 1t would seem
that the Republicans had no idea of
being continued in power the next
term and that they wished to make it
impossible for the Democrats to effect
their purpose of giving the people
some relief from taxation. so that the
people might be disappointed in their
expectations, and then put the blame
on the Democratic party, which would
give them a chance of electing their
ticket in 1896. This is the only raticn-
al theory to account for the course
they have pursued. They have put
great obstacles in the way of the Dem
ocratic administration, but we hope
they will be able to overcome them, and
that the people will have sufficient sa-
gacity to put the responsibility where
it belongs-on the Republican admin
istration.
AS the n. Y. Journal of Commerce
says, there will be sooner or later a
modification of the existing tariff.
There is no reasonable doubt of that
outcome of the late election in answer
to the demands of majority of the
people. Some are for rushing things
toward this result through an extra
session of Congress, to be assembled as
soon as the new Administration comes
idto power. There are grave Difficult
ties connected with that project, and
we doubt if it will be deemed wise to
attempt it.
The passage of the Mckinley Bill
was an egregious error. For several
years the people had looked to the tar
if as representing war rates, and some
modification in the way of reduction
had been promised by both parties and
was confidently expected. The act OF
1883 was framed to meet this expecta-
ton which it did only in part. By the
law the internal revenue tax was less
ened, some changes were made in i'm
posts, the free list was increased and
the entire duty on packages and
charges was removed. No one dream
ed that tariff reform or modification OF
duties advocated and promised by
both parties meant anything but a
further reduction of the existing rates
The project for reversing this move
ment took the whole country by sur
prise, and when the rates of duty were
enhanced on nearly all the leading i'm
ports, the new rates to apply also to
the exempted packages and commits
sions, the duty on which was restored
and very stringent provisions were add
ed hampering and lettering the i'm
port business in general, as if it was a
trade to be restricted and discouraged,
there was a feeling of resentment which
has found expression in every part of
the Union
The new tariff was an error so far as
it was intended to favor the interests
of domestic producers and manufact-
urers. 1t was designed to stimulate
and encourage home production, but
this is always likely to bring into the
field those adventures who have not
learned the art and do not understand
the business. The competition of
home manufacturers of this class is far
more injurious to established industries
than the utmost activity of foreign ri
walls. 1t is impossible to build up sue
cessful establishments here that will
be permanently profitable by any such
process of law, and the inevitable eff
feet of the dollhouse system is to in
jure the best interests of all concerned.
The few already in operation may re-
alize temporary gain from the increas-
ed protection, but they are sure to suf-
fer from the elbowing of raw recruits
who fancy that capital and high tar
iff are only essentials to manufacturing
prosperity.
The new tariff was an error in its eff
fects on our foreign relations. 1t is all
very well to sheer at the feelings of al
lens, and to rejoice in the open hostil-
ity of those living abroad with whom
we have been dealing in friendly in
tercourse, but trade and commerce seel
the chill os anger as quickly as the
most sensitive plants do an untimely
frost. 1t is impossible to legislate
with an avowed purpose to injure the
interests of people in other lands and
to retain that friendship SO essential to
the maintenance of peaceful CONNER
cial relations. The act Inflicted far
more injury on the American people
in this way than it did by the direct
burdens it imposed through an increase
of taxation. And this would be felt, if
there was no prospect of a change, even
more in the years to come than in the
already past since the hostile
measure was adopted.
Eighty steerage passengers about to
embark on the Cunard Line steamer