New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-25
4 CHANCE OF DELA \.

III Is D)SSlDlc lUdi 'nC p'opV''N '"'''S~
tariff may not be the matter of highest I'M
portancc during the new Administration. IL
d0ubtody Mr.. Cleveland would like to have II
so. But he has to deal with Congress which.
however strongly it nclines to agree with nm
in regard to the tariff, is particularly opposed
10 his ideas as respects the coinage OF silver
and the finances. In the controversy which Is
certain 70 arise on the money question 1t Is not
unlikely thai questions OF taxation and OF tirii'
NAV be c,lriously pushed aside. t. the great
disappon,ment Ct the large majority OF Dem
CCrats.
II i, possible that Mr.. Cleveland may on this
account fail to get his way altogether as II the
changes Of tariff Although in that particular
he is supposed to want just what his party
wants. and there is little doubt that differences
of opinion regarding details of the tariff could
in some way be harmonized. vet he has TO deal
with an element which will he determined 10
defeat him if possible by any process what
ever II is not unlikely that the silver interest
will array itself against his Administration. and
against every plan or measure which may be
regarded as essential to its success. It's power
70 control legislation. in that event. will he
great. The tariff is matter OF extraordinary
compleyity. about which the greatest possible
variety cf differences may arise between these
who are seeking the same general end. Men
who profess to want reform OF the tariff aS
much as Mr.. Cleveland himself may easily lind
excuse for opposing almost any measure which
can be brought into the II use on behalf of the
Administration or the majority Of the Demo
cratic party.
1t is already clear that these two questions
though properly separated. will be closely c5n-
ncctcd in the discussions and the controversies
Of the next Cong,cs:. For it is plain enough
that the Government will not b. able T. secure
the revenue which il requires foi the prctcc-
ten Of the public credit unless it i able TO
maintain Il rate Of duties on imports decidedly
croa'or than the ultra Free Traders will advo-
cat. What Mr.. Clcvc!ands views may he re-
gardlng the rate Of duties T. bc desired need
not here he considered. His friends in Con
cics>, whatever their own personal Judgment
may be- will be greatly embarrassed by the
fact that they will be compelled 10 consult the
wishes Of the Administration in respect 10 the
revenues CT the q ,vcrnmcnt This fact alone
will oblgc them to assent 10 4 higher rate OF
duty in many cl>cs than they would otherwise
" chcriShcs the idea that it would he well 10
got rd of the protective 3lcy altogether. But
he will never be able 10 lose sight Of the fact
hat alb lit;cn of protective duties will threaten
The public revenues, and will cndangcr the
maintenance of gold payments.
II i Mt altogether unlikely that the attempt
Of the Presidents immediate friends - carry Il
tariff bill through Congress may fail on account
If the opposition Of the extreme silver mon IN
one house or the other Already II Is clear
that the advocates Of free silver coinage are
preparing to resist the President to the utmost.
They will have the control OF the Finance Com
mittoc in the Senate, and this same committee
will have 81 pas, upon all measures relating T.
the tariff. Precisely rs this small body OF sil
yer Senators threatened and at onH time seemed
likely to defeat the Mckinley bin. when both
House and senate were controlled by the Re-
publican> il is possible that they may be both
inclined and able to defeat the wishes Of the
new Administration in the matter Of the tariff
To the business Of the country il i most i'm
loitant that the course of legislation during the
next two years may be somewhat clearly de-
fined Enhappily, the peculiar position of Con
crcSs with respect to the tariff and the money
question makes it doubtful whether any clear
idea of the outcome will be Obtainablc until
the next session Of Congress has adjourned \
result Of large industrial Importance is that tho
business interests of the country will not be
able to prepare, As otherwise they might. for
radical changes of the tariff. There will be
the feeling, more or less clearly defined during
the whole session of Congress. that the an'ago-
nism between the President and strong body
of his supporters on the money question may at
any time result in tho defeat Of the tariff which
the AdministI alton favOrs. In consequence the
industries of the country are likely to be more
seriously embarrassed than they would be if it
were certain that radical Frcc-TIadc tariff
would be enacted.