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

was an experimental application of a
theory. The exact result of its operations
could not safely be predicted, because no
one could understand with absolute pre-
cision the exact measure of protection
which it would extend to each article cata-
loSued in its hundreds of paragraphs.
The Mckinley bill was designed as an
exemplfication Of the republican idea of
what fostering encouragement was due to
American capital and labor. 1t was not
perfect, nor considered by its authors to be
perfect Nothing can be more certain than
that. Even had not the democratic party
succeeded in 1892 a revision of the Nc
k1nley Law at the hands of the party which
enacted 1t, would nevertheless in time be
necessary. 1 am prepared to make this ad-
mission freely, and even to carry il so far
as to state. speaking for myself, that IL the
present Congress could devise a reasonable
measure. which would permit the continued
| employment of American labor and capital
at living wages and fair profits, even
| though involving reductions, in some in
stances perhaps large reductions from
| present rates of duties, with the under
standing that ii was a determination of
! our dispute for a term of years, / would not
oppose it.
A Program Of Destruction.
But no such bill is before us. Instead of
being stripped Of the absurdities with
which it came from the branch of Congress
| in which it necessarily originated it has
been made more grotesque than ever The
majority offer a program of destruction
instead of a policy of preservation; under
| the guise Of a tariff for revenue they give
us tariff of revenge.
In this measure of mingled malice COM
| promise and sectionalism now presented 10
the Senate, the Misrepresentation and per-
| version of public opinion as expressed at
! the polls. to which / referred as an Incl
dental but serious corollary to our recur-
| ring elections, found fullest play.
Inc leaders of the party whose candi-
| dates have been successful at the polls may
point to the platform and say, Upon these
principles We were intrus:ed by the people
| with power; those who elected our candi-
dates expect US to write our platform on
the statute books" 1t Is true that the ma
| jority of this Congress have signally re-
pudiated nearly every plank of the Chicago
platform, with the single exception Of re-
moving every safeguard against fraud at
the polls; and ii is in the case of the pend
Ing bill notable that the leaders of This at
tack upon American industries have openly
abandoned the doctrine of the confederate
constitution. that protective duties are I'M
constitutional.
But say again the result of any presi-
Dental campaign may be determined by
! causes entirely foreign to party platforms
An administration controlled by an over
mastering consciousness of its own destiny
| may determine to prolong its lease of power
| from the party which conferred its tenure.
With pledges Of place and honor for the
! dHlDitlcuS, WIN weapons less worthy OF
It's noble aspirations for the venal; with i'm
perlal authority over federal Office holders
such an administration might accomplish
nominations not in accord with the feeling
ana judgment of the mass of the party
! 1t Is the men whose votes were cast in
error OF judgment whose welfare is most
threatened by the pending bill
The Gravest Question Involved.
The gravest question involved IN the pro-
posed reckless reduction of customs duties
/ is the erect upon the reward of labor The
problem which the majority of this body
nave failed to meet is so to legislate that
thousands of unemployed workmen shall
not tramp our highways, that their wives
may not come to beggary and their sons
and daughters to crime and shame
such result 1 reluctantly but solemnly
believe will follow the passage of this hill
and 1t Is impossible that it shall be ac-
cepted in docile submission. The American
cor, Ing man VIII not relinquish even the
comforts to which he has been accustomed
under the protective system, nor will he
undergo privation without a protest and a
struggle. 0 a
No one in this chamber can he deca,ve5 D.,
this mongrel measure In IT'S orip;naI &c.,
the Dill came from the inner shrine OF the
democratic party. 1t was the emanation "a
na S uenty ana too sacred to be defiled by
earnest opposition. In the other branch al
congress. therefore, IL received the votes ~
many who. during its discussion. had nro.
Tested most vociferously against its destruc.
1--WE erect upon their constituencies
Inc same superstitious devotion NAV milf
nlately be witnessed in this body The fetch
comes before US from the COMMITTEES on
nnance In strange form, bearing amend.
mehts the insertion of which defies reason
aple explanation and which cannot he
twisted into symmetry with the original
Iney Will probably disappear in the com
mlttee OF conference, IL a Conference is
reached, as mysteriously as they appeared
IN the committee on finance
should the Measure BECOME N Inv.
Should the pending measure become a law
grave monetary problem will Immediately
confront the American people.
We may. with occasional distress. accent
the Foreign money standard But a foreign
commercial policy cannot be appended TO a
foreign financial policy without practical
sacrifice of our autonomy and a return to a
colonial dependence upon Great Britain.
The contemplation of such a policy leads
to the suggestion of bmetallsm. But hi
metallism would not meet the monetary
exigency which would confront the country
upon an abolition of the customs tarif
Blmetalllsm can be sustained by no ono
nation. 1t is only possible by an agreement
between the leading governments of ,ba
world in armed convention
lf protection by customs must fall nm
prenend mat silver monometallisnr in the
new world is necessarily precedent TO hi
metallism In the old world
MI quay continued at length reviewing
me history Of tariff legislation in this
country ana showing the effects OF high tar
ilis anu low tariIs on the industries OF tho
country. He Ipoke with emphasis and tn-
parent earnestness OF the ruin which ~
passage OF the Wilson bill would hiring 80
The Industries Of his state ~