St. Paul daily globe., 1892-11-18
EDITORIAL LETTER.


blush [ thought we'll of the proposition
for an extra session of congress for the
purpose of dealing with the tariff qnes-
ton. under Mr.. CLEVELAND'S wise and
conservative guidance; but the anxiety
shown for the extra session by such
charletan Republican papers as the Gin.
cinnatI COmmercial-GaZ has caused
me to stop and consider.
The question to be considered is: Can
the new congress be prepared to enact
a wise revision of the tariff at an extra
session to be held. say five months hence?
A very large amount of statistical and
other information has already been col
lated by committees of congress and
heads of departments which can be made
available in the preparation of new
tariff bill; and if Mr.. CLEVELAND and
his advisers can give this subject good
share of their attention in the mean-
time, it is argued that just as satistac-
tory measure can be enacted next May
or June as is likely to be done year
later.
The law need not and should not
take effect until a year or eighteen
months have elapsed after It's enact
ment, so that all trade and commerce
might adjust themselves to the new con-
dilions. If the work can be well
done, it is better that it be done
promptly rather than the country be
kept i'll uncertainty and suspense. 1t
is not we'll to postpone action until the
eve of another congressional election.
1t is good that the discussion 90 on in
the freest and most searching manner.
Let all views be ventilated and all in
terests De heard. Depend upon it, MIR.
CLEVELAND and his advisers will act
cOnserYatiyely and with wisdom.
While the late Republican candidate for
vice president persists i'll denOminatlng
the MCKINLEY tariff measure as "a very
citadel of strength for the party" Sen
ator ALLISON, of Iowa, is like the man
with his hand in the bears mouth he is
calling upon somebody to help him let
go. Mr.. ALLISON, it is understood, de-
sires to be considered candidate for
the Republican nomination in 1896 !;
and he wants to bring the party over
to the Western way of looking upon this
tariff question. He therefore calls upon
the Democratic house of representatives
to propose certain ameEdatory meas
ures 10 the present law, such as the re-
duction of duty on woolen manufactures
aud placing other articles-wool, for
instance-On the free list" and the Re-
publican senate will help along with
the good work. This is what. in sport
ing parlance, is called "hedging," l be-
lieve.
Time was when the Republican state
platforms, III the agricultural states of
Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. annu-
ally contained planks like this:
Resolved, That we are in favor of a tariff
for revenue only, so adjusted as to be the
least burdensome and the most favorable to
the interests of labor and industry.
In accord with this sentiment MIN
neSOta Republican member of congress
had the temerity to declare on the floor
of the house, and he so voted, in favor
of cheaper food, cheaper fuel, cheaper
clothing and cheaper shelter-.cheaper
because released from the heavy and
unnecessary bondage of high-tariff
taxes" But he afterwards swallowed
this declaration and record and sup
ported the MCKINLEY bill in exchange
for goyernorship.
AS far east as Ohio, a distinguished
Republican senator was found in the
days before MCKINLEY struck a bar
gain with CARNEGIE on behalf of the
Republican party, who was bold enough
to declare that
Every advance towards a free exchange
in commodities is an advance in civilization.
Every obstruction to q free exchange is born
OF the same narrow, despotic spirit which
planted castles Oh the Rhine to plunder
peaceful commerce. Every obstruction to
commerce is tax upon consumption. Every
facility to free exchange cheapens COM
modites, increases trade and production, and
promotes civilization. Nothing is worse
than sectionalism within a nation, and
nothing is better for the peace of nations
than unrestricted freedom of intercourse.
While this was never good Repub-
licAn doctrine, it was good sense, and
hence good doctrine for the Democracy
to stand by.
The good work of tariff reform will
go on, because the president and con-
gress are Democratic. Get into the
band wagon, you tariff reform Repub-
licans. There are no more governor
ships for apoStateS.