The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-09

1'sesidenf Cleveland In his message -
sssssentIy Of the opinion that the tariff has
litsse or nothing to do uith the prssent de-
preston. bat that IL 10 chiefly due TO the
silver issues begun by Democratic votes
In $50 and eontinued by the Sherman act
Il 10 difneuit 70 bsissve thst . man Of
CIrvsiand's psesumsd intsllieenee can se-
rissasly entertain the delusscn that Ill our
prwsent trouble Is due to the silver ques-
tiea. II b dificuit 20 believe that Mr..
Cleveland fails 10 perceive inst . radical
eEsngs in duties affecting several hundred
Industries and the prices Of many thou
ssad products could b threatened for
nssgaths without violent disturbance and
d1say Of business and industry.
gfssideut Cleveland must know that the
closing Of many manufacturing works Is
deae for the publicly declared reason that
Ma portant changes Of duty. catching them
with full stocks Of materials in process Of
nqanufscsurs and taking from them their
markst for products. would mean ruin.
As. Cleveland In his message not only
d,.s not sdmit this. but infefentiaiiy
seems to deny 10. bnt he must know that
tas impending shadow Of "tariR reform"
legislation darkens the path Of business
vsature and prosperity. President Cisve-
ISsd may b man like Andrew Jackson,
tnsincibly right sometimes. and inviucihly
wong sometimes TO the point OF mere
es.iidish obstinacy or imbscility, bat We
d. not believe Il. Il 10 easy 10
believe that ne honestly thinks
tkat the silver question 10 the
paramount cause Of our present disturb
aa,e. but IL IL impossible to believe that
pr. Cleveland does not know and feel that
sas incorporating declaration of his
pssty against the principle Of the policy Of
protection In any form is considerably
responsible for the present disturbance.
IL - true that the financial troubles be-
Raa with apprehension that the country
vas tending to . silver standard. This
less to = contraction Of loans and boarding
Oh currency. This Is true, and il 10 also
tree that since last February American
PRODUCERS and manufacturers have bsen
watching anxiously for the impending
change In the tariff. Manufactures rest
Oh credit Raw materials are bought on
hank credit. but banks have hesitatsd to
loan, buyers have given no orders. and
manufacturers have declined to buy raw
materials. Mills have closed. workmen
have bssn discharged and W are asked 70
believe that President Cleveland tells the
whole truth when he says that all this il
Due to the Sherman Law.
II ID doubtless true that our present
trouble 10 due something to the fear Of
silver currency: something to the disap-
rcarancs Of our gold and the violation
a the gold reserve. but the greatest
cause and the most lasting 10 the par
ssysis Of manufacture under the chilling
shadow cast by impending free trade. Mr..
Cleveland must know that this is true,
aid the situation would have justified
his declaring TO congress that he cannot
recommend and will not approve . radical
revision Of the tariff while business 10 in
lis present depressed condition. Mr..
Cleveland not only did not make this
declaration, but announced his purpose
tss push the question Of tariff revision
sad reform upon the attention Of congress
40 soon ~ the financial issue was settled.
II President Cleveland Is correct in his
views. as soon as the monthly purchases
% silver and the purchase of silver certifi-
Gates Is suspended factories ought to open,
labor to secure full employment and wages
he rise. We shall not have long to wait,
assd we suspect that even when the Shcr.
RAN SILVER purchase law IL repealed manu-
iaeturcrs and producers will wait for some
positive PRONUNCIATION Of the tariff policy
expressed in legislation. Until they get it
ste wheels Of industry will not move, and
"a, mere proclamation of intention to urge.
ssrin reform will serve to put all our idle
.heels in motion. Until tho country
saows exactly what to expect in shape of
sarin legislation, neither manufacturer nor
producer will abandon the hand-to.mouth
gslicy Of doing business.