The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-09-21
What Has Been Won.

w CSlClh WIN
wherein the tariff bill is disappoint-
mcnt. The great American privi-
lege of letting men who do not act
en- the square know what we think
of them has been exercised against
those who spoiled the house bill in
the senate.
There is the difference between
democrats and republicans. The
Mckinley bill was privately de-
nounccd by Blaine. Senator Plumb
voted against it. But the voice of
protest was instantly sllcnccd by
party machine, and the western re-
publicans, who had been forced by
the trust-bought managers to cat
their words and abandon their inter
csts, have either said nothing siucc
or have sworn by all that was sacred
that the Mckinley act was the best
tariff law ever passed or proposed.
Republicans have learned how to
give up the right of free speech for
the sake of party. Democrats never
have learned and never will learn to
surrender single manhood right for
the sake of party and politicians.
We have spoken our opinion of
the senate bills shortcomings. We
have also an opinion to the effect that
our Representatives and senator's col
lcctivcly have, at the cost of unstain-
ed labor and in the face of unnum-
bcrcd difficulties, passed a bill which
is so much Il relief that it is a rcvo-
luton.
The influences which withheld
much good which elevated civic wis
dom would have bestowed were pro-
lection influences. They constituted
the remaining strength of long
pampcrcd aggregation of interests
which the democratic majority in the
senate was not large enough to dis
lodge.
The merits arc the democratic
part and they are many. The demo-
cratic heroes in both houses deserve
the highest commcndation; for every
reduction was battle with desperate
and wcll-armcd partisans of protcc-
ton.
Fifty per cent. of Mckinley taxes
have been taken from most of the
articles of common consumption.
Wooden manufacture, which has lam
guishcd in spite of almost unlimited
protection, will be expanded through
access 10 the worlds wool markets.
We shall have cheaper and better
clothing and blankcts-and we can
at last get pure woolcns of American
manufacture. Steel and iron will
preserve Il healthy level of prices,
instead of being the plaything of al
tcrnatc scarcity and ovcrproduction.
Cotton tics and bagging will not be
monopolizcd whenever there is good
crop of cotton. Tin plate duties are
fifty per cent. ic>;.
In woolcns and knit fabrics the
reduction is from one hundred per
cent. to an average of thirty-iivc per
cent. This is of great significance,
not only because it will cheaper
these absolutely necessary articles to
the consumer, but because it will
stimulate trade with Germany, Bel
GUM, France and England, where
the demand for our meats, flour and
grain is the largest, The protection
lists may ask how foreign trade can
be stimulated and home wooden man
ufacturc enlarged ut the same time
The answer is that consumption will
increase with great rapidity. Among
thrcc-fourths of our people far less
of good WOODEN clothing, carpets and
blankets is used than the users would
like and would lave if they could
pay for more. Enlarge their export
markets and they will enlarge the
home market.
Our new tariff will have good
effect on business and production.
Southern and western democratic
members have done their best. and
have great public good to show for
their years labor.
Send to Washington a larger ma
jority. Confer upon the democratic
party power to change specific to al
valorcm duties, so that the invcn-
tons which cheaper goods every
where may 90 to the benefit of the
people. The only tariff which does
not require tinkcring every session
is an ad valorcm revenue tariff which
adjusts itself to the needs of govern
mcnt and the conditions of produc-
ten. We want no specific duties,
which put low grades of goods under
the same charges as high grades, and
which keep the same tax in force for