St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-02
TARIFF BILL IN THE HOUSE.

Congress VIII reconVene tomorrow.
There is an evident purpose among the
Democratic members to waste no time
III the useless discussion of pending
legislation. Debate in the house will be
confined within reasonable limits, and
if disposition is manifested to waste
time needlessly, it will be checked by
new rule, which will confine speeches to
five minutes each. 1t is hoped that by
this means the new tariff bill will be
disposed of by the close of the present
month at latest, and sent to the senate
for concurrence. The house members
do not propose to be held responsible
for unnecessary delay in fixing the linz
its of taxation. and thus continue the
existing uncertainty, which is one OF
the chief causes of business unrest and
undue conservatism.
The whole country will approve this
decision of the Democrats. Whatever
may be the differences as to the policy
of revising the tariff, there is no differ
ence between the contending parties as
to the folly of prolonging the debate.
Republicans are as much interested in
bringing about conditions of stability as
Democrats. Men of all parties agree
that III matters of such character de-
lays are far more pernicious than the set
tlement of the controversy on any basis
whatever. All recognize the fact that
business cannot resume its Wonted act
ivitv as long as the element of uncer-
tainty as to tariff duties and interna,
taxation continues. The business man
who should make large purchases OF
goods liable TO be affected by changes in
the law would be dangerous and reck-
less gambler, whom it would be hazard
Gus to trust. Those merchants who
value their own regulations will leave
the markets alone, as far as possible,
until stable basis shall be established,
cOntenting themselves with only such
purchases as shall be necessary to meet
the pressing necessities of their trade.
To do otherwise would be to risk reputa-
ton as well as fortune upon the hazard
of die.
For the fact cannot be ignored that as
yet there is large element of doubt as
to the outcome of the tariff discussion.
There are features of the pending meas
ure that do not meet the expectations of
the most pronounced tariff reforInerS.
Taxes are retained that are of necessity
purely protective, and some are abol
iShed that might have been properly
retained because OF their productiveness
for purposes of revenue. These imper-
fections are fully recognized by the
friends of the measure, but they were
tod Inv Of npliay--a m
taken policy. the GLOBE thinks, for the
congress Of the nation can afford to do
right Oh every occasion, leaving eXpedi-
| ency to care for itself. 1t was hoped,
| however. that by catering to certain in
terestS the chances OF passing the bill
would be greatly increased. The fact
was overlooked that it IS natural for
| persons who fancy themselves aggrieved
! by any line of action to vent their indig-
nation upon those who may have been
! especially favored by it. and that in con-
sequence of this resentment animosities
would be engendered that would threat
en- the safety Of the whole bill.
There is, however, despite the imper-
| fections of the bill and the unneces-
sary antagonisms excited against it, a
| good prospect of its final passage in
substantially the form III which it has
been reported from the committee. The
reformers are disposed to accept it on
the principle that half loaf is better
| than no bread; the protectionists may
be led to favor it because it is not as
radical as they had feared it would be,
and because by doing SO they can post
pone, perhaps for many years, the
thorough revision and reduction which
the people demand and which must in
evitably come.
1t will no doubt be regarded by the
protectionists as ineXpedient at this
time to exasperate the tariff reformers
| by a factious opposition to the Wilson
bill, lest in their anger the dominant
element should conclude to adopt a
more rigorous policy. the protectlonists
are not IN position In which they can
afford to defy public sentiment. Con-
Citation will rather be their tactics.
And wise they will be if they shall SO
deport themselves during the debate as
to avoid awakening the anger of their
opponents. For more sweeping aboli-
ton of protective tariff duties is one of
the possibilities of the situation, and
will become certainty if by obstruction
the defenders of the tariff robber sys-
tenn seek to delay the passage of the
| 10 form hill