New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-05
A CH1nETTL BHL.
thankful.

1t is time for the country to pause moment
and consider what its sO-called lawmakers at
Washington are actually doing. Democratic
leaders in the caucus of Senator's pronounced
the new Tariff bill cowardly surrender or an
infamous bargain with matchmaking interests.
The Democratic newspapers which are most
willing blindly 10 approve anything and every
thing labelled Reform speak of the measure
with contempt and disgust which words seem
hardly adequate to express. They are justified
but the most dlshonorablc feature OF the b'isi-
ness Democratic leaders and organs try not TO
expose It is nevertheless quietly confessed
that every Democratic Senator except one had
been personally pledged to support the pro-
nosed measure before the caucus assembled. al
though they did not know what its PROVISIONS
would be. Nobody pretends to know; nobody
was prepared to state in the caucus; IL WAS
even admitted that those who had bound mem
bers one by one TO support body OF amend
ments did not know what revenue the bill thus
amended would raise Down TO the very nour
If tbe caucus Senators of the committee from
which these amendments are TO emanate pup
licly stated upon their honor that they did not
know what amendments were to be proposed
or had been agreed upon. If they did not know,
bound by pledges could have known
Those so-called lawmakers, therefore, pledged
themselves in advance TO vote for changes OF
tariff which were not known TO them, ana cohiu
not be stated tc them. because they were not
VET named by others whose votes were 20 be
bought. and hence not known TO those who
obtained the pledges. The charge involves IN
fanny. and vet there appears TO be no escape
,1Nor .1,n EnCif n
mort the bill was asked what he would demand
as the price of his pledge to support the whole
bodv Of changes and the bill. He bargained
and was bought and then bound himself TO vote
for other changes not yet made of which he
could know nothing. When enough had thus
bound themselves. by pledge which was in it.
self shameful betrayal of duty to CONSTITUENTS
to their party and to the country, the caucus
was called. Then for the first time some mem
hers were Informed what price representatives
Of the trust had demanded. and what they hau
bound themselves to do. One Democratic Sen
ator not hitherto known as the most scrupulous
in matters of integrity. alone refused. and de-
nounccd the series OF bargains. others de-
nouncc1 If bitterly. but admitted that they were
bound hand and foot.
What have constituents to say 10 men who
have thus SurrenUereu their DOd>tcu piiH'iPiN''
and interests the importance OF which they are
capable of comprehending but family, ana have
bartcred off the future changes OF their party
as a whole for the sake Of personal gain or adj
vantage TO themselves? Is it conceivable that
Democrats have thus pledged themselves Ill TINS
fashion for any motive which Will bear the
light? The foul blot Of dishon0r is upon the
whole of this bargain. because II has been MADE
under such circumstances that men dld not
know and could not know what they bound
themselves to support. and the naked truth Is
that most of the Democratic Senators do not ut
this hour know what the 300 or more amend
ments are which they have committed their
party TO accept and to put through.
Republicans may well hope that this scan
dolous bargain will be carried into full effect,
though it is their duty to defeat il If they can.
For the interests Of the country, its industries
and ifs millions Of workers. which they alone
can be expected 10 defend. VIII gain meal
culably if the present tariff can be kept in force
Rl,t if The i0bbcrs. the trusts ana the black
moilcrS prevail there will be an end for all
time TO come Of any decent pretcncc that The
Democratic party has principles which II IS not
ready 10 sell for cash III its campaign iuhd' or
for votes at Congressional elections.