New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-07


It is severely logical TO insist upon conSld-
Grafton and final action regarding the SeiSill"r-
age bin before action is taken on The tariff Gucs-
ton. SO far Senator Stewart has the rlSlli Oh
his side. IT NAV be that his Interior motive Is
10 prccipitatc a broader discussion on the sill
ycr oucstion. and perhaps To force the SENATE,
if he cam To decide one way or The olhcr Oh the
question of free coinage. TO the opponents OF
free coinage that prospect offers II" serious
cause Of alarm. Ii is hardly probable that the
measure could pass the Senate, under existing
circumstances. even by bare majority Vote
but quite certain that il could not be passed
over the veto of the President, which would I'M
doubt,Lly meet it. No real danger 10 the blS!-
ness interests of the country would therefore
be involved if the question of free coinage
should in this way be forced upon the attention
of the senate and brought 10 a final decision.
But il j. in every respect r'@Sonab" ana "'~
sirablc that the Scgnoragc bill, and the l'i'S-
ton Of coinage also. should be finally settled
before action is taken on the tariH
This is obvious enough when it Is considered
that the Government needs a larger revenue 10y
M least S1J.OOO.OOO than the tariff portion of
the Wilson bill would probably give H. II
needs Il larger revenue by perhaps S'"Vooooo
or S,;O0OOUOo than the entire bill rs II passed
the House would probably yield. Statements
differ widely in regard Ia the effect of the
changes which have been proposed by IA" SEN
ate Finance Committee. or rather 10y the Demo
cratic members Of that committee. but 1t is
not to br seriously doubted that the tarln p;irt
of the bill. though IL might return with III"
lower duties Il somewhat larger rcv"nn" thah
the Wilson bill. in ordinary conditions Of bust
ness in this country would nevertheless leave
a heavy deficit, even in such conditions. and
would probably PROSTATE industries 50 greatly
that the extent Of the deficit cannot bc even
approximately estimated.
Plainly the Senate ought To know before 1t
decides what sort Of revenue bill II viii pass,
whether the Government is 10 have for the
coming year or two years the additional re-
source which the Sccnoragc bill is designed to
give it. Except as Il measure Of paper iniia-
ton. the Bland bill has no other meaning than
10 supply to the Treasury "A certain amount Of
money 10 cover in part the anticipated drhcii
But if the Government is 10 have this supply
of SD 600 600 part within the next and part
within the subsequent year it is only just 10 the
Senate and 10 the House, and really necessary
10 the welfare Of the country. that The fact
should he known before The basis Of taxation
for the two years has been determined.
ON these grounds II is not improbable that
the ma iority In the Senate may determine 10
consider the ScigniOraGc bill ~ once, ana II may
not be possible. in that event, 10 prevent con
slderation also Of such amendments looking 10
free coinage or other provision for silver. aS
may be offered by Senator Stewart and the
other advocates Of free silver. II is unfortunate
for the country that action on the tariff qucS-
ton should be delayed in this way, and yet II
is logical and really necessary consequence
Of the votes in the House. which propose an
addition OF $5j,0OO,0OO 10 The resources Of the
Government. irrespective OF the amount for
which the revenue bill may provide. The House
is responsible, If the proper discussion Of this
question dcfers still longer action on the tariff.
and for any consequences Of such delay.