St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-24
PROMPT ACrIoN NEEDED,

1lott is an unQueSIl0neu Improve
ment in the condition of business gen.
orally throughout the country that
augurs well for the future. Suspensions
have almost entirely cease d; bankrupt
cies are among the things of the past;
panics are only referred to as reminis-
cences. Nobody is growing rich at a
rapid rate. These are not times in
which fortunes are picked up every
day; neither are they lost. except in the
whirl of speculation. But careful busi-
ness men are realizing a fair profit from
legitimate trade and manufactures, and
industry is manifesting strength. if not
activity.
There has been a marked improve
ment within the past two or three
months. The public has been inspired
with renewed confidence of the return
of better days. The passage of the tariff
revision bill by the house shows that
our Legislators are disposed to do what
ever lies in their power to relieve the
people of the burdens of taxation under
which they labor. We are promised
cheaper fuel II cheaper clothing; our
food is now as cheap as it can reaSona-
bly, be expected to be. The removal
of the duty on iron and coal assures Il
resumption of railroad building, which
has been at a standstill for several
years. There are sections of the cUun
try, yet undevelopeu, that will prove
immensely productive as soon as they
shall become accessible. There are
mines to be developed, farms to be cul-
tivated, water privileges to be utilized
as soon as they can be placed within
reach of the markets. The building of
railroads to these regions will be hast
ened by the decreased cost of fuel and
iron, and within a few years a vast ter
ritory will be pouring its wealth into
the nations storehouse.
There is a general belief among men
who have capital to invest that the
tariff bill will pass the senate in sub
stantially the form in which it came
from the house. and all sails have been
trimmed accordingly. Investments are
being made on the basis of the new tar
if rates-on the suppositioa that the
cost of raw materials will be reduced,
thus lessening the cost of production
and the cost to the consumer. Profits
do not promise to be excessive, but suf-
ficient to repay liberal investment. The
days of monopoly are ended so far as
the tariff creates and fosters monopoly.
The tariff will 10 longer be a robbery.
but a source of revenue, and its burdens
will be more evenly distributed. The
workman will not be taxed to add to the
profits of the capitalist; special prlvi-
leges will not be accorded to any class.
1t will no longer be necessary for the
wheat farmer of the North to pay a por-
ton of his earnings to the sugar planter
of the South; it will no longer be re-
CURED Of the agrlculturist of the North
west that he pay a needless tribute to
the manufacturer of the East.
The only impeachment that stands in
the way of the complete resumption of
industry and trade in all their branches
is the inaction of the senate on the tariff
bill. The measure has been in the
hands of that body for nearly a month.
Committees and subcommittee nave
considered its every provision, and &C.
casional rumors of contemplated amend
hiSiiSo ANoSiNo ~ puOllSs 0OlIlO
of the changes proposed are somewhat
radical, but it is confidently predicted
by the friends of the Measure that when
it comes from the senate the amend
ments will not be irreconcilable. and
that a few days consideration in con-
ference committee will result in the
settlement of all differences. The chief
need of the situation is expedition.
There need be no material delays: there
should be no impeachment thrown in the
way of the speedy settlement of all
points of controversy. The man who
seeks to prevent action seeks to maintain
the uncertainty of the business situa-
ton. and assumes responsibility of the
graveSt character.