The herald., 1893-12-19
THE IMPENDING TARIFF DEBATE.

In view of the fact that the tariff has
been discussed with great voluminous-
ness IN every congress in the United
States since 1S32-an interminable in
terval which exactly rivals the duration
of Col. John j. Warmers residence in
Californis-it is not at all extraordinary
that sensible editor slaves the inevita-
BILE task off as long as possible. Then
he knows, besides, that his columns will
reek with its discussion as coon as con-
gress reassembles after the holiday ad-
journment.
Putting aside the historical aspects OF
the tariff which would involve length
ened resume of the relations of parties
and statesmen to that great issue, the
common sense way of handling the mat
ter is to take it up in recent times. For
the purpose of the present article it is
not necessary to 90 back of the year 1878,
when President Grant appointed a COM
mission OF manufacturers to report what
reductions were needed in the tariff then
existng, which, be it remembered, was
the post war tariff, which was larger than
the war tariff ITSELF and which was en-
acted in 1866 under the specious Repub-
lican pretext that the war had resulted
in an enormous debt and we must have
large revenues to help pay it off. That
commission was presided over by Mr..
Henry w. Oliver, one of the largest iron
and eteel manufacturers in Western
nj clxyr taI
that there should be considerable re-
duction all along the line. 1t was not
radical recommendation, by any means,
but considering the circumstances and
the men by whom it was made, it WAS
quite fair one.
But its recommendations were treated
with disdain. No congress paid any at
tention to them, and the crowning in
fanny of protection run mad was en-
bodied in the Mckinley bill. The peo-
pie were then brought face TO face with
an astounding audacity. In the elec-
tions which resulted in the elevation of
Gear Reed to the speakership there was
really a perceptible undercurrent in
favor OF tariff reduction and revision
amongst the Republicans, not indeed 30
strong as that demanded by the Demo-
Gratis, but quite manifest. Perhaps the
best way to express the situation would
be to say that all of the Democrats de-
manded tariff reform, and a large maas
of the Republicans, probably third of
that party, would have been pleased to
see moderate drop all along the line.
1t is true that it could be claimed that
Mr.. Cleveland was beaten on the tariff
issue, but other matters entered into that
election, chief of which was the preRi-
dents apparent idea that he was the
whole Democratic party, and, we may
add, the Murchison letter. This latter
was disingenuous and reprehensible
device, but it assisted in accomplishing
its purpose.
However blurred the result may have
been in 1888, there could be no doubt
concerning the character of the verdict
in 1892. 1t was not only clear but
very loud note. 1t was broad and deep,
dented majority. 1t repudiated McKin-
ley and all his works, and with deafen-
ing reverberation. No intelligent man
can doubt this fact. The present con-
gress, with it's more than two-thirds
Democratic majority, has no recourse
but to fulfill the pledges made by the
Democratic party to the people. There
are, OF course, many considerations
which ought to govern in carrying out
such a great and fateful undertaking.
Regard should be had to the necessities
OF the government and to the interests
of both the American workingman and
manufacturer, and the principle OF pro-
lection should not be entirely dismissed.
But it ought to be used sparinglv and
jntelligently, and there should be no pro-
section merelyfor protection's sake.
One demand must receive attention,
and that is the universal cry for free raw
material. That is a common ground
upon which Democrats of all shades OF
opinion can meet, and a large proper
ton of the most intelligent Republicans
OF the country will be found standing
with them upon it. We look upon
sweeping concessions of this kind as
the very life blood OF prosperous manu-
featuring in the United States. With
free raw materials the inventive apti
tudes machinery and skilled labor OF
the United States will conquer the mar
kets of the world. Without the N, we
ehall be- mainly restricted to our own