New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-29
FORGETTING THE INCANTATION.

TORGEJIING IHE INCh-'i Il 1i'-''
II was reported some time ago that the Hon.
David A. Wells, of Norwich, Conn.,, was en-
gagged in the preparation OF new tarlif Dill
on the lines laid down by the Chicago Con-
vcntion. TO be submitted to the next Congress.
II was also said that he was receiving suggcs-
tons from eminent Free Traders in all parts
of the country. and that he was not getting
along as well with The (psk as was expected,
the difficulty being in arranging the details of
a tariff for revenue only as to provide for
the Governments annual expenditure without
affording something like incidental protection
to certain industries. This, according to the
Chicago platform would be unconstitutional as
well rs robbery and fraud" TIE TRIBrXE
accepted the report As truc. Indeed, there was
no reason to doubt it. It seemed entirely rea-
sonable that Mr.. Wells, as the pioneer of Rev
onuc Reform its leading advocate and highest
authority for almost thirty years, should be
selected for just that duty. Ii seemed to us
tribute to his ability, learning and experience
of which he might well be proud. We sup
posed too that he had abundance OF leisure
for it, his time not being occupied As it was
at the beginning of Mn. Clcvelands last Adj
New London and Windham counties. The re-
suits of his unScliish labors in that regard led
influential Democrats in that section to remark
that, great aS he unquc>tonably was on po-
itica economy, "Tom" Waller or even Mayor
Crandall easily held over him Is practical
politician. 80. as we have understood. he has
been relieved Of the burden of distributing the
Offices, and is at liberty 10 give his entire time
TO the tariff
We now learn that the report was incor-
rect Ii has been denied upon the authority
of Mr. Wells himself. Denied, too. with what
seems to us 10 be unnecessary warmth Very
much aS if he did not esteem II a compliment
TO he selected by the great party Of Revenue
Reform H. the one man in the whole country
TO cmbody lis leading principle in bill per
feet and complete in all details. Many Mug
wump papers treated the report ~ ii il were
>landcrous and wicked and had been invented
10 iniuIe either Mr.. Wells or the cause. or both.
This being the view of Mr. Wells ana his
friends, we hasten II apologize for having
contributed 10 give the report currency, and
10 explain that in our Judgment he Is better
qualified to draw tariff bill Dn ihH Chicago
platform lines than any of the statesmen who
uIe likely t, tackle the subject in the next Con
gle>> not even excepting William w. Springer
himself. And now orr peace being made IL
we hope with Mr.. Wells. may we venture f.
inquire what has become of the faiii qucs
ton, upon which the late Presidential election
was contested. and which few months ago
overShadowcd all others in Importance? The
statesmen who were So rampagoOuS about il in
,ho iynb have fnllnu >uIlpulv Sileuf And
the Mugwump newspapers, which a little while
ago were vocicrou> for an extra session Of
Congress in order that no time be lost in Ie-
pcaling the present inqutous law, have drcpp
the subject and talking about something
else. Is it possible that they hesitate about
smashing The Mckinley tariff now that they
have the power to do IL? Have they begun
to realize the difficulty of replacing il with
satisfactory substitute after it is smashed? II
certainly begins to look 50.
Did Mr.. Wells ever hear Of the brisk and
lively person who a great many years ago
about the time Grover ClcvcllndS grandfather
was doing business as a matchmaker AZ Bean
lIill'-went into the baroom of the old Mcr-
chants Hotel, in Norwich, and created sen
sation by the announcement that b. the Use
Of certain words in the form Of an incarnation
he could produce the most surprising effects
As, for instance, he could put a god watch in
mortar and smash it all 10 pieces, and then,
laying handkerchief over it, repeat the in
cantatOn and restore it whole and uniniurcd.
At first il was doubted Of course. There were
sceptcs in Norwich even then. To test il.
however, one Of the party handed ont his hand
some gold watch TO the magician. II was put
in "A mortar and pounded into smhcrccnS.
The magician spread his handkerchief over it
and repeated the incarnation. He took it off
ndtherc were the smithcrecnS. Then he tried
it again. Same result. "Wcll. | declare"
said he, 81 must have got the incarnation
wrong" and he tried it again. We'll" said
he, after several unsuccessful trials, "thcrc
must be mistake somewhere; | was very
sure ! could do il, for ] got it out of book.
] suppose the drinks are on me" Then the
man who furnished the watch, refusing the
drinks. rose up and buffetcd the magician,
and with kicks and blows expelled him from
the barroom. And all because he forgot the
incarnation. Has Mr.. Wells heard this story?
And is he hcstating about smashing the Me-
Kinley tariff through fear that he may forget
the Free Trade incantation?