The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-11
senatnr Hill,s sneeoh.

Senator Hills tariff speech caused
neither surprise uor enthusiasm. He had
a large audience in the galleries and SEN
ators gave him close attention. 1t was
expected that he would indicate purpose
to antagonize thssWflson bill, and there
was. therefore. a very general desire to
near what he would say. The speech
was, in that respect, a disappointment.
He took the ground that unless tariff
reform bill were passed by this congress,
the Democratic party would go out OF
power to stay. He might have gone
further and said that unless tariff re
form bill is passed very soon the country
will lose faith in the Democratic party.
The people are heartily tired Of the Sen
ate's dallyine with the Wilson bill. The
spiritless way in which the bill is being
handled while the country is waiting to
have the uncertainty. which surrounds
tariff legislation. removed. is making en-
emies for the Democratic party every day.
The Senate seems to be incapable of
earnest, vigorous work. The old fellows
who make up so large a part Of 1t are so
fond Of their ease that they are willing to
take advantage of almost any excuse to
adjourn or to take up some matter of
minor Importance that does not require
much mental effort
Senator Hill took a firm stand against
the income tax. He predicted that if that
feature ofthe Wilson bin should become
law the Democratic party would lose
thenext House of Representatives and the
next presidency, and his prediction is one
10 which party leaders who are capab BILE of
taking broad view of the political situa-
tion will assent. The income tax is not a
matter of democratic doctrine. 1t is one
of the demands Of the populist party,
and the democrats have taken it up, not
so much because they believe in it, but
because they hope to prevent democrats
tainted with populistic heresies from
leaving the party. They seem to forget
that those who are populists at
heart will go to the popJlist
party even though the democrats
should agree to accept the greater
part of the populist demands. The
only way to hold the Democratic party to-
gether, and to strengthen it, is to st and
squarely upon its platform of doctrines.
The income tax is not even mentioned in
the national democratic platform
There is nothing in the synopsis of Sen
ator Hills speech which appeared in our
dispatches 60 Justify the inference that
he will not support the Wilson bill The
general tenor of what he said was not
particularly friendly to it, especially that
part of his speech in which he
said that while a deep cut in
the customs duties would have been
permissible. when there was a sur
plus Of revenue, large reductions would
not be advisable now when there is de-
ticiency in the revenues.
He will endeavor, doubtless, to have
the income tax feature of the bill stricken
out, and if he should not succeed he
might vote against the whole bill, though
he said nothing to justify belief that he
would
He seemed to be especially anxious to
make it clear that he has no love for the
President. AS his attitude towards the
administration is well known, what he
said on that point is matter of very lit
tie consequence. Judging from the way
the speech was received it has not
strengthened him with his party. He is
disappointed man, and disappointed
men seldom speak or act wisely.