The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-26

such unfavora0le and adverse circu m
stances, with slender majority in the
senate, with an unwieldy majority in the
house, with timidity to contend with on
one hand, and radicalism on the other;
with country impatient for prompt ac-
tion, with somewhat divided councils
among ourselves, it is not to ba wondered
at that the measure Of revision which was
finally passed by the Democrat tic majority
and which is now submitted to the judg.
ment OF the country, does not in all re-
spects meet the public expectations.
Without retracting single word which
uttered in the senate in criticism Of the
measure while engaged in the effort to
perfect it and render it more Acceptable,
now that 1T has been passed and permit
ted by the president to become law, it
must be considered as q whole, treated
largely as party measure and contrast ted
with the Mckinley law, whose place it as
sumes on the statute books. Uninfluenced
by any personal disappointment or any
pride Of opinion, may be permitted to
speak OF the measure as 1t is. Nothing
extenuate, nor aught set down in malice u
or its strictly tariff features, it may
truthfully DO urged that it is q vast i'm.
provement over the Mckinley law, and
will clearly demonstrate its superiority az
time rolls on, and the business interests OF
the country shall adjust themselves to its
provisions.
A PANACEA FOR ALL WOE.
1t is true that it does not embody the
full measure of tariff reform which many
Of us desire and the country anticipated,
but nevertheless it is safe, moderate, rea.
sonable. 1t is better than the Mckinley
tariff because it will not create deficiency
in revenues Of government, Neither will
it provide for an enormous and dangerous
surplus. 1t will not require an issue OF
government bonds to bolster up its fail
ures Of revenue and to prevent business
depression. 1t recognizes in part at least,
the Democratic doctrine Of free raw ma
terials and in response to an over
whelming public sentiment has an
propriatelp provided for free WOOL free
lumber, and free salt 1t has largely in
creased the free list in other directions.
1t has reduced the duty on coal and iroI
nearly so per cent. The general average
reduction from the Mckinley rates il
nearly 80 l.3 per cent The reductions
were not deemed unreasonable extreme.
nor unjustifiable. They are so fair and
country has any excuse whatever for re-
ducing the woges Of his employees. Il
manufacturers assume to do it, they mus
furnish some other reason or pretence thar
the present moderate new tariff law.
1t may be safely asserted that the new
law will not cripple nor embarrass q.
gle industry in the land, nor throw o. o.
employment a single workingman, mol
unduly stimulate reproduction on tn,
one hand, nor exorbitant importations OF
the other. 1t will not be prohibitory il
its effect nor exclusively competitive, bu
with some important raw materials mad,
free, and with general moderate reduc
tion along the whole line, business condi
tions will surely improve, our citizens viii
be relieved from unnecessary taxation,
prosperity will dawn upon US once more
and the general conservative tariff revi
sion of 1894 will become more and NOR,
acceptable to the people.
At the close of Senator Hills speech
the convention adjourned until noon
tomorrow.