New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-24
BETTER TIMES IN SIGHT.

Although the uncertainty respecting the 1ariH
continues business men are breathing more
easily They know that settled conditions are
close at hand and they are already feeling the
tonic effects Of restoration Of confidence. Inc
German bill will either be vetoed before the
wocl ends or IL will be allowed 10 become
law with or without the Presidents signature.
In either event the Industries Of the country Will
have release from the uncertainties which nave
been paralyzng their activities. Business men
will know what is before them. and with that
faculty for adapting themselves TO circumstances
which Is IL marked characteristic OF Americans,
they will make the best Of the situation. They
share the feeling Of Arctic navigators when the
foes have parted and released the ship which
has been npped and imprisoned In the lee
They have the assurance that open water Will
soon be ahead Of them. although they may not
vet know the direction in which it will lead
them.
There will be an improvement in general bust
ness, whether the bill be signed or vetoed lhis
is conclusion from which there Is no dissent
among New-York merchants, whatever may De
their individual preferences for the Mckinley
or the German tariff How long 1t VIII last
and how marked 1t will be they cannot forecast
but they are cOnildent-and with good reason -
that a settlement Of the tariff question In one
way or the other. far as the present Congress
is concerned. will impart life TO general busi
ness and tend 10 restore confidence in INDUSTRIAL
undertakings. If the Mckinley tarin be al
lowed 10 stand, 1t cannot be Oyerthrown dur
ing the short session OF the present Congress,
and Republican House can be depended upon
TO defend II during the remainder OF the fresi-
dents term II the German bill be enacted win
the Presidents sanction. Ii cannot be changed
until 1898. for the Congress 10 be elected ms
wear, even If Republican. cannot pass genuine
Protection tariff when there Is Democratic
President TO veto 1t. In either event the country
will have an interval Of rest and quiet after a
protractcd period OF tariff agitation and uncer-
tainty.
So disastrous have been the consequences or
financial disturbance and commercial drPres-
sion that any Improvement Of business Is 10 be
welcomed as a mercy and blessing. 1t viii
come inevitably as the result Of the temporary
settlement Of the tariff question. and II ought
10 be frankly recognized and openly acknowl-
edged by the press of both parties. whether IT
occurs under the Mckinley or under the Cor
man act. II will be rank partisanship and poor
patriotism if any Journal undertakes 10 msl"hd
the public for political effect. The necessity
for an Improvement Of business Is SO urgent In
view Of the approach Of another winter, which
otherwise will be fraught with as much calan-
ity for the poor and the unemployed as the last
one, that partisanship ought 10 be set aside by
the press and everything done TO promote
more buoyant feeling in trade and general
restoration OF impaired confidence. AZ this mo-
ment when the fate Of the German bill lies IN
the hollow Of the Presidents hand, the fact
needs 10 be strongly emphasized that. whether
he signs 1t or vetocs It, better times are surely
in sight.