The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-08-02
DEMOCRATS ADMIT N.
Their Party's Tariff Declarations
Hurting Businesa
MANUFACTURERS ARE AT SEA
Demand That tho Administration
Shall Do somethiug-The Sherman
Law Not Wholly to Rlame-Demo-
Gratis Must Define Their Tariff
Policy,
WAsuNdEoN, August las the Dem.

WASHINGTON, August las the Dem.
ocratlc congressman arrive, it is evi.
dent that they are not willing to accept
the theory that the repeal of the silver
purchase act is tho only duty OF the
Democratic Congress, or that that act
is the cause OF existing business de-
preston, Some OF tho leading Demo-
Gratis who are disposed to be candid say
openly that there is no doubt that the
declarations OF their party platform as
to protection have had tho effect OF
disturbing business by causing doubt
as to the future legislative policy, and
that the only radical cure for the man
Hest business evils is that the Demo.
cratic party shall Immediately fulfill its
pledges as to the tariff and give the
country an opportunity to adjust itself
to the new conditions.
There are many Democrats who are
not disposed to be so candid as this
with the public, but privately the man
whose opinion ia commanding is yet to
DO found who does not endorse these
views, Congressman generally maintain
a studied reserve, and are unwilling
that their opinions should be made
public over their own name. They
seem to be waiting to ascertain what
tho trend OF sentiment among their
associates will be. But as u whole,
there arc unfailing indications that the
Democratic leaders agree with William
q. Whitney, that the repeal OF the sill
yer purchase act would only be pallia.
tive, and not q cure, and that the Dem
ocratic party, which 10 now entirely re-
sponsible for the Legislative and admin
istrative branch OF the government,
cannot avoid its responsibilities byrun-
ming away from its tariff pledges.
SHERMAN LAW o. WHOLLY, 70 BLAME.
One Democratic leader who is now
here, who is q friend Of Cleveland and
has held public Office under him, but
who ia too rich and fond of ease now to
accept further official station, and who
is in touch with the representatives OF
the great business interests in New
York, said to-day;
"Ihavejust come from New York and
! find that there is a growing indisposi.
ton among our people to accept u
theory that the only trouble with bus
iness is the sherman law. The men
there who arc the closest to the money
centers and great manufacturing inter-
ests say that, while the silver law is bad
legislation and IN important factor in
prevailing conditions, it is by no means
tho sole cause OF the silent panic
through which VIC are passing. They
say that it Ia true that the declarations
Of tho party platform, and of
tho party leaders to the effect
that the protective system is
unconstitutional and must give way to
u radically different economic system,
lies ut tho foundation of the CONNER
Cial unrest, and that the time has come
for the Democratic party eithor to full
fill its pledges or to abandon them.
What the business world needs is
stability. Manufacturers OF the coun-
try who are capitalists do not so much
care what tariff system shall BIO adopted
as that some system shall be chosen
which shall be permanent. The manu-
~iacturers can adapt themselves to the
situation, but they must know not only
what the situation is, but what it Is to
be. Tho dry goods houses in New York
toll me that the number of cancelled
orders exceed each week the number OF
orders.
MUST DEFINE THEIR TARIFF poLIcY.
~ shall toll our people when they
get here next week that they must not
listen to anybody, whether he sits in
the White House or elsewhere who
tells them that there is nothing to do
except to repeal the silver law; and
that they must forthwith tell the
try what changes they propose TO make
in the tariff, or publicly declare that
they intend to make none at all. This
is no time for co~wardice or evasion.
The Democratic party must affirm that
Ito tariff policy is correct, and give effect
to 1t, or il must acknowledge that it is
wrong, and abandon it, There is no
half way house. II we run away from
our tariff pledges now, we shall DO the
laughing stock OF the people.