Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-24
IhC Cause of the Trouble.

Whether Congress will do anything but
quarrel over the silver question remains to |
be seen. 1t s, however, quite certain that
the repeal of the Sherman act IL it could DO
secured to-day, pure and simple. would not
cure the business trouble, which has become
so serious. Repeal without free coinage
rider, would no doubt relieve the epprehen-
sions of English and European owners of
American securities, who are selling them
for fear that they may have to take their
interest payments In deprecated silver coin;
and 1t would thus, no doubt, favorably af-
feet prices in tho stock market But IL it
comes, its effect on business generally can
not in the nature OF things be more than
secondary and partial
This closing of mills which il going on
daily all over the country lie not caused by
the piIing up of silver bullion in the govern
ment vaults, or by uncertainty as to how
many grains of silver the coming dollar Is
to contain. Its cause is dstrust Of the
democratic party, and dread OF democratic
tinkerng of the tariff.
Take the great wool interest OF the coun-
try. Fine wool is now cheaper than it has
been tor many years. 1t can bs bought in
this country more choaply than it could
lie imported if there were no duty
on it. Why, then, in the face OK
an abundant and cheap supply OF the
raw material are the woollen mills
everywhere shutting down The fact is
that the manufacturers dare not buy wool
at any price. 1t takes ak months for wool
to 60 through the processes of manufacture
and reach the market in the sbaps of CLOTH
Who knows what the tariff on woollen cloths
will be six months hence IL the democrats
fulfill their free trade pied ges, the
tariff will then bs on rev.
enuo basis, -with duties reduced to
the point which twill most stimulate i'm
ports Our markets will be flooded with
woollen cloths made where operatives work
for one-third of the wages paid In this
country. There can then be no money in
making woollen cloths for American manu-
facturers. The mill owners see this and
they are going to wait till they know what
is coming in the way OF tariff "reform, -
80 called. They cannot afford to fll their
warehouses with goods which must be sold
at loss, if SOLD at all. The case is the
American industries.
For the first time in thirty three years
the democratic party has full control, and
| Intelligent democrats see with dismay that
the party has no leader ablo to cope with
the situation. If any man can be called
the leader of the democratic party at
ashngtor it is Mr.. Cleveland. Where is
he and how much mastery has he of the
| motley force under his nominal leadership?
How strong grasp OF the situation does he
shown We find an answer in the columns
of the paper which perhaps did more than
any other to elect him. MIR. Matthew Mar
shall, the financial editor OF the Now York
Sun, says in regent issue OF that paper:
Though his Mr.. Cleveland'sl message to
| Congress was presumably written after CON
sultation h'thoss whom he thought com
petent to ndvise him, it is remarkable for
It's lack o. / recommendations save that Of
the stoppags Of silver purchases. 1t is
silent In regard to the tax ON State bank
circulation silent In regard to the increase
OF national bank ioireulatiop. 1t says moth
ing about legalizlng the present unautbor-
lied gold reserve fund, eud nothing
about giving explicitly to the sec
rotary Of the treasury the power to pro-
cure gold for that fund by the sale of bonds
1t losses the whole subject of the finances
bodily into the lap OF Congress, to be
wrangled over at pleasure This might be
pardonable If either in the House of Repre-
sentativea or in the Senate the party which
elected President Cleveland was represented
by man compatent to shape legislation on
financial matters and to conduct the de-
bates on them to successful termination
but no such man has as yet appeared. The
republicans are more fortunate
Yes, the republican party is much better
supplied with statesmen and leaders; but
they arc now on tbs back seats, and the
Southern brigadisrs who control legislation
will not accept their advice. The outlook
Is not a cheerful one: but this Ia a hard
country to ruin; and three years more OF
democratic misrule will not destroy II. The
majority wanted q change. Having made
their bed, they must lie In 1t till they learn
wisdom. The cause OF the trouble Is demo
cratic control. This is a trouble which
time will cue.