Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-14

lts inconsistencies, made straight instead OF
devious; and that from the mysterious re-
cesses of the retort Of the so-called subcom-
mittee, from the super heated furnace Of a
party caucus and from the seething cal
dron of the full responsible majority Of the
committee on finance, ii would at last
emerge purified of it's dross, annealed and
nickel-hardened upon its scanned and scar
I ed SUR ace, and so freed from all defects
and dangers as to stand before US as a
measure which could be adopted with prac-
teal unanimfty because it would give the
business interests of this country tranquil
ty by taking for at least an appreciable
period the tariff out of politics.
Result of Tariff Changes.
That would be an ideal solution Of this
great question. which would inaugurate an
era of peace and herald the return Of pro-
longed prosperity. But instead of thus put
ting an end to these internecine raids upon
domestic Industries. which, at intervals
closely associated with political changes
have cost this country more than all the
military wars for which every generation
since the revolution has paid SO dearly we
now see the party which is in full control
or the legislative and executive branches of
the government threaten the country with
measure which has been described as sec
tional, partisan, laundering, discriminating
and unjust. The inevitable result is the
paralysis of business. the hating of trade,
the suspension of purchases the stoppa ge
of production the depriva ton to thousands
o. their usual means of livelihood and an
incredible shrinkage of value
Mr.. President 1t is this recurring uncer-
tainty as to the rates of customs duties
which works most serious damage to busi-
ness throughout the United States The
burden falls upon capital Money must lie
idle. or, If invested, the venture is in the
nature of a speculation. The burden falls
also upon labor, because the idleness of the
speculative use of capital has a reflex in
tha
sation or partial suspension of manufacture
Ing operations and the decrease and irreg-
ularity in the incomes OF every rank of the
army OF wage earners
The consumer also contributes his sha 70
toward the cost of these periodic disturb
ances of the tariff because throughout
every series or years of prosperity every
branch OF industry is compelled to prepare
for threatened period of uncertainty and
consequent depression. These statements
moreover, are true of every threatened
change in any system of tariff schedules
There never has been tariff law enacted
that was not preceded by more or less con-
fusion in the delicate and complicated ma
chinery of domestic production, internal
trade and foreign exchange.
III this be true when the tariff is revised
by friends of American industry, when the
customs schedules are adjusted in accord
ance with an established principle and in
harmony with a well-deflned system OF COL
lecting revenue. so as TO protect Ameri-
'dh hNtiBilSt anu ldDOT from foreign
pauper competition. how much more enor:
nous do these evil results become when
the tariff is to be disturbed, not In the
interest of domestic but of foreign indus
try. not with the welfare OF the whole COM
mon country in view, but the benefit of n
section; not with the purpose of providing
revenue In accordance with an Intelligent
plan. perfected by years OF experience and
familiar In its general principles to all the
people. but In a fashion which at one stage
of the proposed legislation offers an In
creased deficiency to an already depleted
treasury, and at another stage involves n
surplus derived In part from tax on the
breakfast table, and In greater part from
the offensive inquisition into the private
fortunes OF individuals and an negotiable
encouragement to that thrift which lies at
the basis of both national character and
national wealth?
Policies Contrnsted.
II IL one fault, perhaps, rather of our
Constitution than OF a republican form OF
government. that the people OF the Unit ID
States. owing to their frequently recurring
elections. have not been able to follow for
any considerable term with Commemorative
purpose fixed financial policy. We con-
trast method Of dealing with great rub
lie question governed here by popular opin-
Ion and prejudice. which may take "A new
impression In each four years, with other
methods of foreign nations pursued through
Their policy. generally antagonistlc TO
ours, IL fixed and enduring through all its
variations and In general ons there may be
traced "A consistent AMI persistent purpose.
ours, In contrast. IL tickl" and inconstant
Iiut more serious than these chances
wrought with regularity Of time, but un a..
certainty OF extent II the danger hat the
tru" meaning OF popular feeling a. "a pres tci
a. The polls may b. m'slnterprctrd by states
men or perverted by iomaLusurz. Let m.
illustrate" this proposition. At one presi-
Dental election the candidates OF a partI u
lar party haN" been successfully before IA.
people upon u platform ur principle assert.
ing the doctrine of protection
Relying upon this popular verdict aud up.
ON tho pl"iFeH which have placed the ruling
party he control Of the government. rnp.t,L
encouraged ~ q guaranty uf profits D. 10
lrtHpt from ~ reservoirs ana fprthNtth
HrHka investment Every year a.rs n o
tilu 81 prosperity fiHr HIGHER ana hiEhrf.
1h,u another election uuprfNruua
u may bu that tho ,1inlllutrs 1T another
IfTtN Hfu ru.., HHful upon u declaration ~
uflu,iIlrs putHFHniHtir Co protection tIus.
Iursu f.ltrrH huHltatrH. halts ntiIa "a
ftUtlUrs afr closed capital NithIfaNH a..
"4uiiuuH lutttNlN Nutkmru htr uis,hatFrt
.Ht Nrth pt reduced NuHua. ani tho ,puutr,
tuus f"i ar approaching strusslu With
uruurb AMI distress
- q" 80" Meth tate, uiii
The Mckinney bil Nas not prlHciplo, u