Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-28

The chief question in relation to the tariff
bill which has been framed by the demo
Gratis, is whether on not it Will pass both
branches OF Congress III its present form.
and this question. while being of absorbing
interest to the public in general, is critical
consideration with not few of this coun-
tIy's industries. The sclious aspect of the
subject is increased to a manifold degree 10y
the fact that it will require months to de
torInine the exact form which the measure
is to take on and to measure its probable
effects upon manufacturing and trade; and
the business of the whole country must in
the meantime continue to take but one step
at "A time to be ccrtaiu Of being ON the sure
side
That the Wilson tariff bill will meet with
the united and determined opposition of the
republicans in both the House and Senate is
a foregone conclusion, and it is already
evident that the measure viii also encounter
serious hostility on the part of not few
democrats in both bodies. Whether the
united opposition of the republican, and the
protcctionst democrats viii he amply suf-
iicient to defeat the obnoXious bill is the
point in question at the present time, and
one that will be fairly well indicated by the
first preliminary vote upon the measure.
Judging from the hostility to the new tar
iG bill exhibited 10y democrats in various
parts Of the country, there ought to be n
sufficient number of democratic votes
against the measure in both branches of
Congress to ensure its defeat: but unforttl-
nately representatives in Congress, do not
! always represent the public sentiment Of
their constituents, and while democratic
| wage-earncrS, aS well rs democratic mnnu-
| facturers, may voice their feeling Of antip-
athy against the new tariff, their influence
may not he sufficient TO overcome the weight
of administration influence, the magic innu-
cnce Of federal patronage and the singing
affects of the party whip
There will. however. be n strong opposi
ton among the democrats of the House to
the passage of the tariff bill in its present
form. Seven of the nine representatives il
Congress from Alabama have committee
themselves against the bill. or at lea,
against the free coal and iron clause of it
and congressman from other mineral region
in the South are also outspokcn in their hos
tility to the measure as it stands M present
Congressman Haines of New York will ais,
have the cooperation of other democrats
congressman in the North who are in favo
Of protection for the interests of their dis
tricts. Tho chances are, however, that tn
bill will be slightly modified So as to nice
the objection of Il sufficient number Of pro
tectioniat democrats in the House to ensur
its passage, if indeed there is not u ma iorit
for the measure without any such conce,
sion.
This bcinS the case the opponents Of tn
democratic tariff bill must lool, to the Sen
ate where tGe democratic ma iOrity is niue
narrower than iii the House for the detea
OF tie measure, and here the indications N
much mere favorable for the opponents e.
the tariff bill. The two New York senator
arc unalterably opposed 10 the Wilson hi
~ il stands and they viii be- aided by SCI
tor, pugh and Morgan Of Alabama, Senut,
Irby Of South Carolina and possibly other