The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-07
THE NECESSITY or IMMEDIATE
ACTION ON THE TARIFF.

AOL1OA' CA' IL ~
1t il to be hoped that the tariff bill
will be acted upon promptly by con-
gress. 1t is unfortunate that a new
administration has no means of inaug-
urating its policy until 10 months
after the presidential election. That
fact strikes us with more force now
than formerly as radical changes, in
accordance with the demands Of the
people, are to be made in the revenue
system. All business is to large ex-
tent suspended until the changes in
the tariff are made and fully under
stood. Manufacturers would act I'M
wisely If they ran their factories to
their full capacities when they have
every reason to hope that as soon as
the reform tariff bill is passed they
will obtain raw material free of duty,
and merchants are selling out at cost
and are not replenishing their stocks,
prudently awaiting the new order of
things.
Even with the Mckinley tariff in
full operation the Harrison admins
tration left the manufacturers
in bad condition. Their
markets were 30 circumscribed
under that tariff that overproduction,
that anomoly of high protection. had
caused many shutdowns. Then fol-
lowed the scare produced by the Re-
publican policy of the purchase of sill
yer bullion at high premium to sus-
tain our currency and credit. OI
course manufacturers could not then
resume, nor could money be obtained
for other general enterprises that had
been inaugurated throughout the
country, and now the fall resumption
OF business awaits the action of con-
gress on the tariff bill. Money was
never so plentiful and obtainable at
such low rate of interest. The banks
in New York last week had $40, 900, 900
surplus over the legal reserve. That
amount that ought to be flowing
through the dry and parched land
with other large amounts in all the
banks of the country to start into life
withered commerce will remain idle
and unused until the tariff bill is
definitely settled and becomes a
part of the policy of
the country. If congress assemblies
Immediately upon the inauguration
of q new administration all this I'M
easness aud delay could and probably
would be obviated. An extra session
had to be called to treat the pressing
demands OF the silver question, and
now, Is months after the election OF
Mr.. Cleveland, the Democratic party
has the fret opportunity to engraft
upon the country the tariff policy 1t
has so long battled for. That is the
fault OF the law providing for the reg
ular session of congress - months af-
ter the presidential election, which
of course cannot now be helped, but
it becomes the duty of congress inn
mediately to relieve the country of Its
suspense and business delay by acting
promptly upon the tariff bill. That
does not involve undue haste, or want
of due consideration of the tariff bill
The ways and means commit
tee have had opportunity and
experience, with full data before them
to thoroughly consider and frame 9
tariff bill in obedience to the demands
of the people as indicated by the cleo
tions of 1890 and 1892. The question
ofthe tariff has been discussed most
intelligently and thoroughly Tor thG
last 10 years and 1t does not now in
volve the necessity for prolonged con
sideration. The house of representa-
tives disposed of the silver question il
two weeks. 1t ought to dispose of TIT
tariff in the same time and let loos,
upon the country the great surplus o
money that is now lying idle in on
banks. We cannot hope for a free re
sumption of business until congres
passes on tariff bill.
Iaofrra q