New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-01
EXTRA SESSION POSSIBILITIES.


Il seems that the supporters of Speaker Crisp,
who were able to defeat Mr.. Mills and his
friends in the organization at the last session
of Congress- and who gave to the country al'o-
ccther the most incompetent organization Oh
the House ever known. are decidedly IN laNor
of an extra session of Congress. But 1t doeN
not follow that the opponents OF speaker NrSp
will object to an extra session. On the con-
trary, it is clear already that Mr. Mills him.
self and many others who were reckoned as
tariff reformcrs Of the first water two years
ago. believe that an early session Is absolutely
necessary to save the Democratic party from
charges of incapacity and bad faith.
These gentlemen are numerous and infu-
entail and they represent that clemens of the
party which prevailed By large majority II
the Nationa' Convention. They maintain that
the party distinctly committed Itself during the
last campaign TO early and thorough changes
Of the tariff They declare that they instruct
ed the voters throughout the country that a
continuance of the Republican policy was sim
ply prolongation of robbery OF the people Tor
the ben fit IF manufacturers and c)rporliloiS
They insist tha- if tho Democratic party should
delay action on the tariff question f.. another
wear i would simply give the lie t. IT, own
profession, and prove falSa to il pledges
MANY Of them maintain that in their own States
\ great proportion of the Democrats would
decidedly resent a refusal 10 give tn people
the promised relief, and would transfer Their
support to the Peoples panty. 1t Is evident
that these gentlemen are governed IN gfc'a
degree by their personal fear Of the con>c-
oucnceS Of delay. They also urge, with much
reason. that it would be extremely disastrous
to the party t. pat Il new taliif bill into opera
ton Just before the next election of members
of Congress The people would have time t.
realize the disturbance and inconvenience
which a general change of duties would cause,
but would not have time. these gentlemen
argue. TO realize tie praci al benefit which
would result in the end from a removal Of
burdens. 1t seems probable that, If Speaker
Crisp and his friends favor an extra session.
while the extreme tariff rcfOrmcrS are also
inclined the same way, MI. Cleveland Will
hardly be disposed TO resist their united wishes
If there is e. be an extra session II Is evident
thai the first step taken must be to replcn>h the
Treasury and then there must be something
stout and emphatic in the way OF a reduction
of dutic~ After that the general revision Of
the tariff may be ntru>tcd 20 the Committee
on WAYS and Means. which viii be appointed
after the organization OF the House. and when
will then be able to mature during the sum
mer d bill to be supported at the regular Se,-
sion a wear hence Representative Mutchlcr
of pcnnsylvania suggo st, that the removal o.
the sugar bountic> and the restoration o.! the
dutc, on sugar must be the first step toward
a repleni,hncnt Of the Treasury. and that these
changes in the tariff will bc property accom-
panied by a repeal Of the duties on wool
and a reduction Of the dutic, OF Woollcn goods.
According t. his theory the only object Of the
Republicans IN cutting off the dut% on sugar
was to make an excuse for the larger duties
on woollens. which have, however, resulted
in 10 increased revenue TO the Treasury.
This is a distinctly Democratic scheme The
repeal of the sugar bounty would stop an eX-
penditure now amounting to eight or nine
millions a year, and likely to be ten millions
next year. The revival Of the duty on sugar
would bring TO the Treasury about 100000
600 a year. SO that the net result would be-
equivalent to an increase Of $4,000. 900 in
the revenue But the removal Of the sugar
duty has actually lcS>cncd the cost of sugar by
about . cents per pound amounting 70 about
- Tor every family IN the mica states. TN
the ether hand the increased duties on wool
and woollcnS have added not one cent 70 the
cost of clothing to the people Of the United
states. The actual decrease in the revenue has
been very large, and the actual decrease in OK
pen>es of the people quite as large. Accord
ing to the Democratic theory. this is all wrong
The duty on sugar must be restored and the
people compelled 10 pay about - for every
family more than they now pay each year.
On the other hand. the duties on wool must be
repealed and the duties on woollen goods re-
duccd and if the future may be judged by the
past, the result will be not one cent benefit 70
the people. Republican and Democratic the
cries could hardly be more sharply contrastc1
than they will be if the Democrats act upon
Mr.. Mutchlers proposal