The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-09-08
DEMOCRATIC PLANS.

The indications from Washing
ton are that the democrats have
changed their programme, OF, at
least, that they have given out
that their plans have been altered.
Several days ago Wilson, chair
man of the ways and means COM
mittee. stated in an interview
that there was every prospect |
that congress would adjourn by |
the middle of September. As
the semi official and recognized
leader ot the house, MIR. Wilson's
word was accepted as conclusive.
1t was accordingly understood by
The country that the subject of
tariff revision would not be taken
up during the special session.
But now comes the announce
ment that the ways and means
committee propose to commence
work at once upon the prepar-
| ton of a tariff bill, and that they
hope to have it ready for consid-
Grafton by the house by Novem-
ber.
1t is just possible that this
seeming vacillation on the part of
the democratic managers is part
of cunning scheme to affect the
pending controversy over the re-
peal of the Sherman act. While
Mr.. Wilson and his associates
were appealing to republican
monometallists to stand by Cleve-
land in his effort to secure the un-
conditional repeal of the silver
purchase clause they were hold
ing out the promise that congress
would be adjourned as soon as the
repeal bill should pass. The re-
markable unanimity in favor of
the Wilson bill, irrespective of
parties, in the manufacturing
states of the east and the almost
solid republican vote in the house
may possibly be accounted for by
the desire to defer contest over
the tariff.
But now that the administration
programme bill has reached the
senate there may be reasons for
the change Of plans indicated.
Perhaps it is thought to be de-
sirabIe that the markets and in
dustrial stocks should be further
depressed. The signs of revival
are unpleasantly and inconven-
iently strong. II pending the
long debate in the senate, which
now seems inevitable, there should
be steady improvement it might
weaken the argument in favor of
repeal. The democrats know per-
| fectly well that the Immediate ef-
feet of the preparation of free
trade tariff measure will be to dis
turb values and depress the pro-
tected industries. Why not make
the most Of the circumstances
which cannot be averted?
We therefore conclude that it is
by no means certain, if indeed it
is probable, that the latest plan
announced by Mr.. Wilson will be
carried out. Should the repeal
bill pass in any form, or should a
compromise be effected, it is an
even chance that congress will i'm
mediately adjourn to the Decem-
ber session.
From a purely partisan stand
point it would be to the advantage
of the republicans if congress
} should remain in session and 60 on
with the construction of their tariff
bill. In November several state
elections will be held, notably
those in Ohio, Iowa, Massachu-
sets, Pennsylvania and New York
, not for full compliments of state
officers in all cases, but sufficiently
general to get the drift of public
, sentiment. We believe that in
!. the present disturbed condition of
the industries of the country, the
people will resent and reprove any
attempt to experiment with free
trade.
, But, after all, our democratic
, brethren of the Billy Wilson
stripe are so blind to all such con
siderations that it may be unwise
to attempt to predict what he and
his confederates will dos. F
r Chronicle.