Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-04-07
HE TARIEE DEBATE
In Congres'-N Discussion Carried on Pure
~ for Campaign Purposes.

In ConRress-N Discussion Carried on Pure
iy for Campaign Purposes.
Last Wednesday, March o. the tariff
debate opened in the house of repre-
sentativcs. From the day on which IL
was first announced that an immense
free trade majority had been elected TO
that ody In November. 1890. the star
OF tarln reform mas waneu. Inc
voters who, worked up TO the desired
degree Of prejudice against the existing
law by the infamous Mckinley prices"
conspiracy sent the free traders to con-
gress, supposed, of course, that the
days of the Mckinley law were num-
bered They have since been waiting
for their representatives TO make their
promises good. But as time went by it
became ever palmer and palmer that
the democratic majority had become
frightened at the reaction in favor of
the new tariff which set in as soon as
the people discovered how shamelessly
reform" orators and papers had lied TO
them. The majority began 10 look
around for some means OF graceful re-
treat from the advanced free trade posi-
ton they necessarily occupied as re-
suit OF the prominence Of the tariff in
the campaign OF 1890. The signal for
retreat was sounded in the free trade
press, which suddenly stopped talking
about M cKinley prices" and began
chronicling- IN its capacity Of news
purveyor 1t must do--the events accom-
panying the tide Of prosperity which
set In after the new law became oper-
alive and has since continued to rise con.
currently with the decline in free
traders hopes.
The first effort TO get under cover
was made when that representative,
par excellence, of free trade reform"
Roger q. Mills, was turned down and
Judge Crisp elected speaker OF the
house. Then Mr. Springer, of Illinois,
was appointed chairman of its ways
and means committee, who completed
the mask for his party by formulating
the piecemeal plan of tariff smashing in
preference to the proposition for gen.
eral revision Of the tariff. Discussion
on the first of the piccemeal bills, the
free wool bill, which has already re.
| ceved considerable attention in these
columns, began last Wednesday. In the
absence OF Mr. Springer, who was i'll,
Mr.. McMillin, of Tennessee, opened
the debate, His speech was reckless,
| dishonest and demagogic to q degree
seldom attained in congress. AS the
voice of the ways and means committee
representing the majority, II was 1T
ting pronunciamento OF the spirit which
pervades that majority, which would
probably be minority Mt for the most
stupenduus campaign Of lying on record
The current debate was inaugurated
FOR oratory only. The free wool bill or
any other free trade bill cannot become
"A law II will, however, serve the pur-
pose of piuning the enemies OF protec-
ton down TO something definite as to
their intentions in regard to the tariff
But their policy is one OF deception
They will conceal their ultimate pur.
pose as much and as long as possible,
They would avoid any discussion OF the
subject but that they fear their cOnstit-
uents would not brook such fragrant
breach of faith after all the belicose
threats against "McKinleyism" made
before election They are playing a
losing game. They have no heart in
their anti.tariff crusade and can safely
be left in the hands of Mr.. Reed and his
little band of valiant protectionists