New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-20
THE COySPIRATORS AGAINST INDUSTRY

THE CONSPIRATORS AG4INST INDUSTRY
The darklantern method of constructing Il
tariff does not thrive. In spite of absurd at
tcmpts to keep profoundly secret the doings or
the Democratic members of the Committee on
Ways and Means, many things are leaking out
from day to day. mainly through the Demo
cratic NEWSPAPERS. which are glad to give the
Democratic members a chance to feel pubhc
opinion in their districts on various points pe-
fore committing themselves to 4 final vote.
These statements disclose the fact that the
Democratic members have by no means agreed
among themselves as yet, in spite Of the efforts
of all the experts, the Treasury Department,
and the Chairman Of the Committee December
is close at hand. with the time for the regular
meeting of Congress. and while many minor
details are supposed 10 have been settled. even
that statement must he received with reserve,
because these details must in the end depend
largely upon the final decision regarding few
more important items or classes which VIII Tx
the character of the bill rs TO revenue, and also
as to protection. These. unless Democratic
journals are badly misinformed, are still subject
to change from day TO day.
Indeed, il Is stated that certain chiefs OF the
Democratic party organization, not chosen by
the people 10 make laws this year. have been
at Washington in conference with the President
about the tariff; Chairman Harrity of Pcnnsyl-
yania Mr. Quincy. of Massachusetts. Mr.. Dickln-
son. of Michigan and Mr.. Gable Of Illinois. This
unofficial cabinet outside the regular Cabinet adj
viscrs. according 10 reports, quickly discovered
serious faults in the bill submitted for consid-
1ol I'm
the President is said to have sent down TO the
committee with his approval. Under the cir
cumstances, the report that the committee is
getting FESTIVE about so much dctation from
80 many official and unofficial sources does not
appcar unreasonable. One or two members are
quoted as expressing great Irritation. ana
determination TO 80 against the wishes OF The
| Administration just because it does not allow
the duly elected representatives OF the people
10 frame a bill according TO their own )udg'
ment.f Bit Democratic irritation sometimes
amounts to very little when confronted win
orders from the man who distributes the Offices
The reports which appear entitled to some
/ confidence are that the committee is thus far
/ disposed TO stick to the income tax. Though
tie exact rate and limit OF exemption have not
been determined, in spite Of strong ana
sensibl, opposition by Representative Cochran
and others who know something Of the business
world. Also that free wool and ore and coal
will go into the bill. in spite Of intense oppos.-
! tion from Democrats OF iron and coal ami
wool-producing States. Also. that the rcduc-
! ton of duties on manufactured products at
present desired by the ajority is substantially
/ that proposed in the Springer bill which was
! in fact only series Of fragments touching
certain points in the tariff. but nevertheless
went far enough 10 insure Democratic defeat,
/ even in a time Of great prosperity. How the
working people viii regard a more sweeping
! application of the same Odious features the
! Democrats in Congress might infer from recent
! elections if they had faculties for inference in
good working order.
The Republican members Of the committee
are kindly relieved this far from any of the
labors and responsibilities OF preparation, and
are not expecting 10 know what The bill is 10
! be until the VIII Die country il Informed. This
procedure only emphasizes the fact tina, Demo
cratic members do not wish 10 be Informed or
to reason about the matter, but only 10 agree
among themselves what their party interests
demand. 1t is we'll to have the purpose and
! character Of the forthcoming measure thus
plainly disclosed in advance. But this method
involves the Inconvenience that, when The bill
gets into the House and each of its items comes
up for discussion, It's advocates Will have TO
meet for the first time grave objections which
! the Republicans OF the committee would have
felt It their duty 10 state in committee meetings
! if they had chance.