The Helena independent., 1893-12-15
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NOTICE.
NOTICE.
A. A. Campbell Il the only authorized travel
Ing agent of this paper
As TO MINOR DIFFERENCES.

cussing the question Of tariff revision
said:
"There will be some democratic vote
against the removal OF the duty on leat
and lumber and against the wool ant
woolen schedules OF the Wilson bill.
"A man may be good democrat anc
not favor the changes proposed by Mr.
Wilson in respect to any Of these items
Tho esteemed Benton River Press
seems to interpret this observation as q
justification Of the republican attitude
Of opposition to the entire bill That is
a very different matter. A man may
favor a general lowering of tariff duties,
breaking down Of the combines and
trusts that Mckinleyism has fostered, a
reduction in the cost Of the necessaries
OF life to the great mass OF the people,
and yet doubt the wisdom Of every item
in general tariff bill. But he would
still be very far from upholding the
republican party in it's merciless main
tenance OF l. % per cent burden on the
people. There is the Hon. w. A. Clark,
for instance pretty good tariff re-
former, as the River Press will acknowl-
edge We observe, according to an in
terview in Salt Lake the other day, that
Mr.. Clark would like to have another
senator at Washington to aid Commo-
dore Power in the fight against the lead
and free wool items in the Wilson bill.
We believe the Hon. Marcus DAILY
stands on this platform, also-barring
that other senator.
Then there is the Hon. Samuel T.
Hauser. He is pretty good tariff re-
former. too, and would accept about 95
per cent Of the Wilson bill or, better
yet, would like 20 per cent horizontal
reduction on everything as proposed by
the Morrison bill. Like Mr. Clark,
Gov. Hauser, as delegate to the Chi
cago convention, voted for the tariff
plank proposed by Mr.. Neal, of Ohio,
which favored tariff for revenue only.
But read the governors letter in an
other column, and you will see he
stoutly contends for change in the
lead schedule Of the Wilson bill. Incon-
sistent? Not bit of it. The average
rate of protection afforded by the Will
son bill is about 40 per cent-2O per cent
off the Mckinley bill. But the gov
ernor's contention is that the lead tariff !
should not be reduced out of proportion
to the rest, and it cannot be denied that
there is logic in his position. He makes
out strong case, certainly.
But how widely different is such in
telligent and discriminating criticism
from the stolid and unreasoning opposi-
ton to any reduction of sixty per cent
tariff as manifested by the republican
leaders Between Gov. Hauser, who
would reduce the cost of the necessaries
OF life twenty per cent all around, and |
Commodore Power, who votes every time
against any relief to the people because
the eastern manufacturers dictate 9TH
erwise. how great the gulf! And, as we
SAID the other day, if the commodore
would boldly throw off the Mckinley
yoke, refuse to suffer the burdensome
taxation of his constituency, vote to free
the necessities of life from unjust trib-
ute to New England and PENNSYLVANIA,
what great man he would be! Ho
might even vote for duty on lead and
wool and on Bozeman barley-another
article about which some people are
nervous, by the way-and still he would
be good deal Of a fellow. The INDE-
PENDENT wouldn't support him, even
then, but many other people would |
But as an obstructionist pure and sim
pie to the entire scheme of reform the
commodore is dead wrong. Let him re-
fleet before he goes too far.
Meantime, push along the Wilson bill
Alter or amend it if you will, in items
here and there, but don't destroy the
broad general principles it embodies
and to whose adoption the democratic
party is solemnly pledged. Thus far
dozen or more changes have been
made IN the schedules of the bill since
it was framed, whether wisely or
unwisely We do not know. As manv
more will be proposed and each item
should be considered on its individual
merits. But in essentials let there be
democratic unity. Down with the oh.
structionists! Up with the flag of tariff
reform! No unjust determinations. no
unnecessary taxation, no class le9isla-
tiop!