St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-11
D1sREGARDlNG THEIR DUTY.

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DISREG AIsDlNG THEIR DUTY.
The oft repeated claimsof the GLOBE
that the interests of capital and labor
are identicaI-so closely related to each
other that they cannot be divorced with
ont great public injury, is. receiving
confirmation daily. and,In nothing more
conspicuously than in the attitude the
two classes have assumed relative to the
tariff controversy now pending i'll con-
sreSs.
1t Is difficult 10 tell whether capital or
labor suffers the most by the contlnned
delay in the settlement Of the disputes.
Capitalists dare not risk their money in
manufacturing or commercial Invest
ments. for the change of single para
graph in the tariff bill may bring them
to ruin. There must be a reasonable
certainty of profit to induce ventures in
commerce or the arts. As long as the
prices of commodities are likely to be
affected by the caprices of a few men,
beers Of congress, no man of ordinary
business sagacity will care 10 hazard his
fortune upon such an uncertainty. The
character and past conduct of the mem
bers of congress furnish no guarantee
that any given line Of policy will be
pursued. Some of them are as variable
as the wind; all of them are Influenced
more or less by selfish considerations,
and cannot be depended upon to act
consistently upon the whole tariff list.
Although the West and South are large
ly i'll favor of tariff reform, there are
certain sections where protection has
strong hold. The representatives from
these districts are fearful of offending
some of their constituents, aud are So
Letting protection for the branches of in
duslry that flourish in their respective
neighborhoods. In order to attain sue
cess they are willing to barter away the
rights and privileges Of people living in
other portions of the country, and even
those in other portions of their own
section and state. By asking special
fayors for themselves they become the
slaves to others, compelled to concede
whatever may be demanded by those who
may have assisted them in furtheiing
their own schemes. They are dead 10
all sense of public duty. oblivious of all
comprehension of public as opposed
to a private interest.
You tickle me and l'll tickle you,"
appears to BIZ the principle which gov
| ems the action of the congressman.
Combinations are made without regard
to the public necessities, and in direct
| antagonism to the public good. 1t is
! narrow policy, far removed from states
n, q ch roIio,y hot Ino 10
bly, lead to industrial destruction.
Against this policy both capital and
| labor are arrayed. Capital cannot Sc
cure profitable investment as long as
the uncertainties that are caused by
such policy continue, and labor cam
not find remunerative employment.
Both are crippled and embarrassed.
| Neither can perform its mission. The
development Of the country is at stand
still. Our mines and factories are
! closed. and railroad building has ceased.
Curtallment of expenditure and the
boarding of resources has become the
rule, enterprise the exception. And
these conditions will continue just as
long as congress delays action on mat
tiers of taxation that are likely to affect
the profits of trade and industry. The re-
Sponsibillty of congress is overwhelming.
and it is sincerely to be regretted that
SO little appreciation of that RESPONSE
bility is manifested. We have need of
revival in eongresS-an awakening of
!; the moral sense of its members, and
| until this is brought about there need
be no hope for an equitable settleme nt
of the pending dispute.