Evening journal., 1893-11-29
sHREDs AND PATCHES.

Any tariff bill under the present con-
ditions must necessarily be a thing of
shreds and patches The Mckinley Lii
had two objects in view One to favor
certain industries; another to make the
favors permanent. In that interest the
strictly revenue duties were sacrificed for
the protective duties Compelled by the
demands Of the people and in the
interest Of justice TO reduce the bur.
den of taxation, and compelled by the
reckless legislation which emptied the
Treasury and Increased the yearly
expenditures TO find an income
the task of Mr.. Wilson and the men who
have assisted him has been peculiarly diff
ficult and fearfully responsible, A tariff
bill under such conditions will not please
anybody or conform TO any theory it
cannot be otherwise than thing of
shreds and patches.
IL Is true Mr. Wilson and his assis.
tants are admirably fitted for the task,
but they will not escape the condemna-
tion Of those whose special interests are
impaired and of the protective tariff
partisans.
Mr. Wilson has attempted to make
revenue tariff Many impor.
tant reductions have been made in
those raw materials on which so much
Of our industry rests These reductions
are reckoned by the experts who have
assisted in formulating the bill to re.
duce the revenue. on the basis of the
imports of 1892, S5O,0OO.OOO That and
more must be obtained from other
, sources.
The plan is to decrease the prices OF
! the great necessaries Of life, which, not
e being imported, pay little revenue in
comparison to their increased cost to the
people, and place the tax on those thing.
, which produce the greatest revenue with
s the least burden upon the people Mr.
d | Wilson and his assistants have followed
. that plan bravely, and, as we trust the
9 event will prove, wisely. We may b.
( assured that no special interests hav,
"a been served or rewarded.
d The bin at first reading seems to be an
o honest and conservative attempt I,
B. eliminate the robbery Of Republican pro.
" lection from our scheme Of public taxa
q tion.
d There will be a great many objection
q from the robbers, aud great man,
p gloomy prophecies concerning the effect
= Of the proposed enlargement Of the fre,
= list, but II the measure is carried boldl
Is through on tie lines laid down, ther
'e will be such another revival Of industrie
re as that which even James G Blaine coul
as not refuse to accord to the Walker tari
er Of .si6
W 1t is useless to listen to foolish lamer
~ tations about the evils Of free coal, ire
We iron, free wool. The men who say thl
ig those cheap raw materials will not benz
is 6t the indust les. Of which they are Il
ms basis, are flppant fools or hide-boun
Is psriisans
IN We have an example, in sugar, of n
We benefits a reduction Of the duty brougl
alike to manufacturers aud to the cor
sumers. That is proof to any honest, car
be did aud patriotic man, who wishes proc
u that the theory of Mr. Wilson's bin
do correct. There is no time to argue wit
nd other men.
'w The articles Mr. Wilson has added
on the free list are more important tbs
en- sugar; they will bring greater benefit
u they will lift heavier burdens from Il
he people.
re So soop os the bill can be passed. az
is the sooner the better the country wi
We rebound into prosperity like a your
to giant esclping from chains
In II they are wise and patriotic, the R
'or publicans will not seek to delay the pa
or sage Of this bill; they wi not stand
A the wsy Of prosperity.