Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-01

ground; securing in 1879, q demand from
the democrats that "all custom house
taxation shall be only for revenue" and,
in 1880. the reiteration of thisss with en-
phasiss
Then the music began. Hancock's de-
feat was sscribed to this cause and to
this cause alone. and the entire bill OF
costs was sought 10 be assessed upon the
offending author of the declaration. But
the idea of tariff reform had come, and
it had come to stay. 1t would down al
no mans bidding 1t could no longer
be used to belittle any refoTmer. The
tar f commission bill might obstruct aud
delay, as It did. The flank movement
within the democratic party might delay
ano obstruct, as it did. But the little
group of reformers knew that the bulb
was grown, and that it was merely a
question of time when the flower OF re
form would burst forth 10 brighten the
ear h and perfume the air. They could
wal. content. Carlisle and Morrison
and Mills had cense 10 the front Though
Lamar and Tucker and Hand hat passed
from the scene, they were succeeded By
Wilson, Mcmillan. Crisp. Bynum and the
Breokinridges. Finally. Grover Cieve :
land, in his message of 1887. gave them
the assurance of man who had at last
com passed the knowledge to see the
truth and who was not afraid 10 do his
duty.
Tie work of agitation WAS complete
The battle had cen fought and won. II
It's fruits were forbidden US by the defeat
which followed, that could not be traced
to the tariff issue. We carried the two
tariff states of Connecticut and New
Jersey. made gains in sll the tariff cen
tiers, united and stimulated The hcsts of
reform everywhere, and lost the election
in the loss of the state of New York
where, unhappily, Mr.. Cleveisnd had
chilled so many friends into Indifference,
or converted them into enemies as to
make his own reelection impossible,
though the democratic state ticket was
carried through in triumph.
This is rough sketch OF the story
down to date. Mr. Crisp has defeated
Mr. Mills for speaker of the house; and
it is thought by the republicans. and
few foolish democrats, to have this APP,
pear IS bsck>set TO tariff reform. The
Courier Journal has refused to take any
such arrow, short-sighted view Of it.
Mr.. Crisp himself is on record 10 the con-
trsry. AS to the details of tariff
bill, there are bound 10 be differences.
There are differences among protec-
tionists. There will be differences
among performers. The Courier>Jour
nal has supported every practical meas
ure which looked to progress, whether it
liked it or not, and We are not, at this
late day, going to begin policy of nag
giDg ard hsir-splitting at the new speak
er and lis ways and means committee.
He is now the official organ Of the party
His committee will be. for good or i'll. the
official organ of the house. As such. We
mean To stand by him ard it until they
cease 10 sand by the party and thom-
selves, contingency we DO not lock IL
see.
We have had our period Of agitation
We have had our campaign of education
We stand Upon the plane Of constructive
craftsmanship. TIE language of agitas
ton is one thing. The business of con
struction Is another thing. When We
seek to arrest the public attention, we
raise the voice. When We have arrested
it, we tell it in lower tones what we want
of it. This is the situation. Men are
here today and gone tomorrow. Dem
oCrscy Is for al time, snd the work of
tariff reform will proceed until it is re-
allied ii tarif only for revenue snd for
revenue only.