New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-23
REpUBLTC1N OPINIONS.

REPUBLIC1N O|INIONS.
The entire harmony Of Republican convcn-
t;ons in different States. in their declaration OF
tbe principles and purposes of the party, can
not escape attention. The party speaks with
out hesitation or reserve indorsing most heart
ily the present Administration approving ITS
course toward foreign Powers. and particular
" applauding its Reciprocity treaties 1t com
mcnds the Silver Act of 1890, on the ground
that it provides a use for substantially all the
silver produced 10y American mines, and adds
= limited but sufficient increase of currency
each wear without involving risk of deprecla-
tion. Throughout the great and populouS
states of the North, from the Atlantic to the
western border of Iowa, the Democratic Free
Coinage Act is unqualifcdly condemned, and
This opinion appears as strong in Minnesota
Wisconsin and Michigan as in Eastern states.
But it is on the tariff question that the formal
declarations of the party have gained most IN
dstnctness and cordial agreement.
Not single Republican convention thus
far. it is believed, has failed to approve the
Mckinley Tariff Until the tariff of 1890 had
been formulated and passed there was not a
little difference in the expression OF KepuD-
leans of different States regarding the modiii-
cation of tariff desired All approved the Pro-
tcctive policy in general, and called for It's
maintenance by tariff better adjusted ana
more free from errors than the act OF 1852
but at some points most stress was placed upon
the better defence of American industries, ana
at other points upon the reduction OF duties III
tho interest of consumers These differences
Of EXPRESSION gave a handle to Free Traders
who constantly interpreted utteIanccs of the
latter type as in harmony with their theories
They scornfully refused to believe when they
were told with truth, that the whole farming
population of the West cared more for the re-
moyal of the duty on sugar than for any other
change of duty whatever.
The Mckinley Tariff reduced duties, ana AT
the same time strengthened the dcfences OF
industry. 1t made the people present OF
$50, OOO, 900 by removing the duty from sugar
and at the same time caused the establishment
IF a multitude of new works in all parts OF the
country. 1t lowered many duties and took OIL
many. but it also raised some, and made them
strong for protection. Judging from the action
of Republican conventions thus FAR this seems
TO have been exactly what Republicans desired.
| In all quarters the act is recognized as great
step forward, which has already done much
good and promises to do much more without
adding burdens TO consumers but actually re-
moving many. No one prctcndS that the act
is sacred. untouchabe or faultlcsS but 1t Is
believed that no Republican Convention has
failed 70 approye the act as a whole. 10 com
mend its principles and workings, and TO in
sist that any modification that may hereafter
| he found desirable should be made by friends
g a. D,pto
short. there appears to be more of complete
accord among Republicans of all parts OF the
country on this question than was ever attained
prior to the enactment OF 1890.
Doubtless this is in part because clrcum-
stances in other countries as well as III TINS
country have combined to prevent any enhance
ment of retail prices through more effective
nrotecton. Many kinds Of goods were pro
duced abroad at a great profit the demand
being suddenly restricted, the profits have beer
cut down and the goods are offered here a
cheaply as before. Other goods largely i'm
norted two years ago have already been com
pletely driven out of the American market BY
home products that are better and not dearer
Others have been much chcapened for time
| by the prostratiOn Of industries abroad and th'
decline in prices of many materials, but WheI
foreign makers have to pay more for materials
and try TO raise the prices Of products they vii
find they have new American competitors Il
take the market from them In great mum
her of instances foreign makers have trans
iorrcd their industries bodily to this country
have invested and are using their capital here
and are supplying goods as cheaply as sucl
goods could be purchased before the new dutIc
we're imposed All these things have hepe'
IN teach American consumers that higher dutic
do not mean heavier taxes or higher price
where they arc wisely and effectively imposed
for protection
The Republican party is in better shape 10
a great struggle this year particularly on TIN
tariff question, than it has been at any pas
time. Differences of personal preference ar
frequent, of course. But these will be settled
for men who are sincerely attached to Repub
lican principles by the deliberate verdict o
the majority in convention.