Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-27
TRUE TO PRINCIPLE.
Senator Lindsay Urges Democrats
to Adhere to Party Pledges.
BE DENIES THE FREE TRADE CHARGE
He Has No Fears of the Political
Consequences.
THE BILL NOT SECTIONAL
e DENIES fHE FREE TRADE CHARGE
THE BILL NOT SECTIONAL

Senator Lindsay of Kentucky addressed
the Senate in support Of the Wilson bill He
said that the country expected that any at
tempt by the democratic party to reduce
and equalize taxation would meet with
stubborn and persistent opposition by those
who believe that import duties upon foreign
goods should be imposed for the protection
Of American manufacturers. but 1t was not
anticipated that the real difficulties in the
way Of tariff reform would be interposed by
members Of the party that won the last
presidential contest upon the distinct decla-
ration that it is fundamental principle of
their belief that the federal government
has no constitutional power to impose and
collect tariff duties except for the purposes
Of revenue only" 1t was, of course, known
of all men that business conditions created
by more than thirty years Of protection
would make 1t difficult, and, in some re-
spects. impracticable. to enforce to its utmost
limit this fundamental principle by the first
tariff bill to be enacted into law by the
democratic maJorities in two houses of
Congress. but 1t was not, until a very recent
date, doubted that there would be such a
revision as to remove from the tariff laws
their most fragrant Inequalities. and to en-
phasize the fact that the great work of
putting our tariff legislation upon a consti-
tutional and equitable basis had been COM
menced.
The democrats of the country have Justly
criticised the Wilson bill because it fails, In
many respects, to cure inequalities and
remove Impressive determinations. But the
democrats In every section of the country.
with the greatest unanimity, agree that the
pending bill. with or without the proposed
amendments. is infinitely better than the
existing tariff laws, and that II is the i'm
perative duty Of the democratic members
or this body at the earliest practicable time
hat
the existing condition of business affairs
The republicans have been earnest an We
hement in insisting Ii was not their un-
equal and vicious legislation that brought
about the industrial panic, but rather the
fear on the part of the people that their ex-
pressed will would be carried out The Jus
tice Of this extraordinary and unfounded
claim has recently received implied recogni-
ton In democratic headquarters, In the
progress OF the debate upon the pend
ing bill. We have the declaration here that
tarin reform today Is q different question
from the tariff reform two years ago, and
IL would be criminal folly to attempt now"
Republican Hopes.
Encouraged by this most unexpected turn
IN political Affairs. republicans are congratu-
lating themselves that there will be no tariff
legislation by this Congress, and when they
md evidence Of improvement In the business
situation they account for 1t upon the
hypothesis that II is row believed that DEM
ocratic dissensions will result in the defeat
OF the legislation to which the party pledged
Itself. Why should We surprise the COM
ntunity by the conservatism Of our progress
In tariff reform? II it be because thorough
reform upon the principles declared by the
chicago platform will prevent, hinder, or
delay the restoration Of business prosperity
and awaken fear and dread, instead Of in
spring confidence with the masses of the
people. as indicated by the senior Senator
from New York. in his speech on the 10th
OF this month. then We have the far-reach-
Ing question to meet whether the demo-
cratic theory of tariff reform is not in it,
self inimical TO the prosperity Of the coun-
try.
If. as believe. and as in my opinion a
large majority of the people believe, dem
ocratic tariff reform is necessary to equal
lie taxation. and Is consistent with the
highest possible state of national prosperity
we should have that reform now, and at
once. 1t will hasten the return Of better
times, upon an ending and constitutional
basis. We may surprise the country by
une conservatism Of our progress in tariff
reform, but IL in our efforts to be conservative
We defeat all tariff legislation by this Con-
gress. democrats will be so far surprised
and disappointed that Ii will be difficult to
convince them they have not been aban-
doned and betrayed by their representatives.
There were many good democratic tariff
reformers who did not deem IL necessary
that such decided ground as that voiced IN
the Chicago platform should be taken. They
were content to demand such revision OF
the tariff laws as would remove the inioui-
tous inequality, tighten oppression, and put
the laws on constitutional and equitable
basis. But in making reduction in taxes
1t Is not proposed to injure any domestic
industry, but rather to promote their
healthy growth"
Not on Conservative utra.