The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-27
GETTING READY FOR BUSINESS.


them. Our Washington dispatches OF
Yesterday announced that the Democratic
members OF the subcommittee on appro-
priations OF the present House, In framing
the annual pension appropriation Dill Tor
submission TO the full committee. have
made a vigorous onslaught on the law
enacted by the Fifty-first Congress. They
propose to change that measure so that
mo widow shall receive pension under
the act of 1880 unless married to the
soldier prior TO 1870: that no person shall
receive pension under the act OF 1880
unless disabled in the service from man.
nal labor. and in receipt Of an income
Of less than 5000 year. and that no nom
resident OF the United States shall receive
n pension unless he was actually dis
abled in the service.
OF course the present House do not
expect this important reform to be ac-
complished by the Fifty-second Congress-
as the Republican Senate would be an
effectual bar TO that; but the action oil
the subcommittee on appropriations In
dicates the determination OF the De-
mocracy TO daily no longer with so I'M
portant a matter. but TO take the buli
by the horns, and get everything In shape
for n complete purging of the pension lists
as soon as the Fifty-third Congress con-
yenes. Additional proof Of this is given
by the further action of the sub-com-
mittee In Offering an amendment to their
proposed bill providing for the appoint
ment of a commission to consider the
necessary notifications in the pension
laws and to report at the next Congress.
At the same time that this proposed
pension reduction was published appear
ed a letter from the Washington cor
respondent Of the New York Commercial
Bulletin showing that Mr.. Cleveland's
offer of the Treasury Portfolio to Mr..
Carlisle means an immediate and radi-
cal reform in the tariff policy of the
Government. That paper says editorially
that Senator Carlisle's knowledge of the
business interests of the country gives
sufficient assurance that the policy out
lined by him will not be unnecessarily
disturbing, but it is foolish to underesti-
mate the extent of the change in our
revenue system that must be carried out
by the next Congress. The revenue re-
qurements of the Government impose
limitations upon a too radical change,
and the considerations Of expediency are
opposed to more pronounced action than
could have been reasonably expected.
but the verdict was a sweeping one, and it
must be carried into effect as far as the
circumstances of the case permit
This is undoubtedly true, but while Mr..
Carlisle will act with caution and dis
erection in his recommendations as to
tariff reform. it is evident that the popu-
lar verdict will be fully respected. The
Bulletins correspondent states that the
entire problem will receive Mr.. Carlisle's
careful study, and that the Mills bill will
be followed in some particulars in franz
ing the new tariff bill. The Mckinley
and all preceding tariff laws will be re
pealed; the ground work Of the new
measure will be free wool, which will
be put into effect as soon as practicable,
and the duties on woollen goods will be
decreased in proportion; there will be
some big cuts in the metal schedule;
certain kinds of trade machinery will
come in at lower rates and increase the
facilities Of our manufacturers iron ore
will be made free; tin plate reduced to l
cent pound manufactured articles
which enter into daily consumption will
be reduced In duty, and the free list will
be largely extended. Luxuries will be
kept well up. but articles which con-
tribute to the comfort of people of mode
rate means will be reduced.
This is a synopsis of some of the
changes contemplated In our tariff as
evidenced by the selection of Mr.. Car
Isle to be Secretary of the Treasury.
While the commercial interests of the
country will be carefully guarded the
will Of the public will be carried out.
and the reform of the tariff will be COM
plete.
1t Is encouraging to see these evidences
of the appreciation of the Democracy in
Congress of the responsibilities imposed
upon them, and of their determination
TO do their duty to their constituents.
Mr. Allen, of Mississippi, rightly said in
his speech at the banquet Wednesday
night that II the Democratic party does
not give the people the fruits Of their
victory its fate will be worse than that
Of Jim Robinson, who was killed so eff
fectually by being thrown from a mule
that he wasn't sick a minnet." The
Democrats evidently understand this fact
full well, and are already taking precau-
lions against so lamentable a catastrophe
----------
A NOTABLE SPEECH.
Until Mr.. Cleveland put Mr.. Fairchild
into his Cabinet the country at
large knew little of him. He
made most acceptable Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, but he had no
notable opportunities for showing the
world the metal of which he was made
But the speech which he delivered at the
Democratic banquet Wednesday night, re-
ported in The Times of yesterday in full.
shows that he is stateman and a think
err The Times wishes that speech could
be read by every man. woman and child