St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-26
THE SENATE TARIFF DEBATE.

Senator Mills states the position that
should be occupied by every Democrat
in the upper house of congress as re-
CARDS the tariff bill. He says the meas
ure does not meet his views in its en-
tirety,and that he will endeayor to have
1t amended in such particulars as he
may regard proper, but, failing in his
purpose, will vote for the bill as it was
reported from the finance committee.
He deprecateS waste OF time over the
matter. feeling that protracted discus
sion will add to the difficulties that now
beset the country, and that the best in
terests of all classes require that set
Element be reached at the earliest prac-
ticab!e date.
True patriotism should induce eyery
senator TO pa tern after the gentleman
from Texas. The nation is resting upon
an industrial volcano. From all classes
we hear murmurings of dscCntent.
Manufacturers have been compelled to
suspend operations because of the risk
involved in producing goods whose
value may be affected by the legislation
of the future. A million of working
men are out of employment for this rea-
son. and more than quarter of mill
ion of homes are realizing for the first
time in our history what distress means.
Capital remains idle in the bank vaults.
ships are rotting at the wharves, and
there is degree of stagnaIion to which
our country has happily been long a
stranger. Action on the bill has been
delayed too long. The discussion began
early In the presidential campaign, and
as soon as congress assembled in De-
cember last it began in the house.
That body dallied with the question
shamelessly. Members absented them.
selves for the acknowledged purpose of
postponing decision, and when final
action was had 1t was found that the
measure finally adopted was imperfect
in many of Its details, retaining most of
the protective features of the MCKINLEY
law, and designed to favor a few of the
| rich classes at the expense of the mass
| of the people. The senate finance COM
| mittee has since that time reduced the
free list and added to the imposts levied
upon many of the necessaries of life.
especially in the matter of clothing.
The demand of the country for free raw
material has been ignored at the behest
of the monopolists, and many of the in
eQualitieS of which the loudest COM
| plant has been made have been re.
tanned. There is, however, a small
measure of relief promised In the bill.
and the people are entitled to this with
out unnecessary delay. Ii the PROM
lseS OF some senators are to be relied
upon we will have completed law.
such as it is, in the course of two weeks.
Ii the threats Of others are carried out
the winter may have set in before final
action shall have been taken.
The country is looking to Senator
Yoornees, who has charge of the bill.
for an energetic management. but an
parently in vain. That statesman halls
and parleys too often. He is afraid OF
violating precedent or the courtesy of
the senate. He seems to ignore the fact
that the people demand that some
courtesy be shown to them-that thew
have rights that are superior to any
fancied privileges their servants NAV
| enjoy. He is man of words rather
than actiOn-a suave diplomat rather
than an aggressive warrior. de fails to
! realize that the time for negotiations