The Green Forest tribune., 1894-08-23
LEADING EDITORIALS ON THE
TARIFF BILL.

LEADING EDITORIALS ON THE
TARIFF BILL.
Repulic.
Whatever has been gained has
been wrested from protective
body. The country concurs in Mr..
Wilson's report. The Senate has
marority for protection. There
are 81 Republicans, 3 Populists
and 7 Democrats who are champi-
ons of prohibited tariffs on articles
producdd by their friends and
therefore for all prohibited tariffs
protection consisting in being for
the other fellows tariff if he will
be for yours.
From this protective body the
tariff reform Democrats have
wrested a reduction of sugar duties,
free wool, lumber and jute, and a
great curtailment of tariffs on tex
tiles which the masses must buy
tor clothing. An income tax is
secured, which relieve taxation on
the household and places a share of
Federal expenses upon the wealthy
whose concentration has been ia
vored by Federal laws.
Not all that the House contend
ed for and the country desired has
been obtained. The Sugar Trust
has not been severed from Govern
ment partnership. Iron and coal
are still taxed, and the commodi-
ties into whose cost they enter are
still to bring higher prices than
the people should pay. But, as
the chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee, himself as brave
champion as a cause ever had,
says to his friends, when men have
done their best, according to their
capacity and judgement, they must
fall back in the conciouness of
duty done. For the Democrats OF
the House, the voters OF the party,
have nothing but approval. What
obligations came TO them un.
der the laws and the instructions
of their constituents they have dis
charged with promtitude. There
has been no departure from princi-
pie. In their position to reform
the revenue they were moderate
and business interests were never
left in doubt. The contest for u
better bill than the measures Of
fered by the Senate they have
fought so long as there was the
slightest chance to succeed and
have abandoned it at the demand
of business when success against a
protective Senate majority was a
demonstrated imposslbility.
That atrocity. the Mckinley bill,
is about to be wiped from the
statue books by Democratic votes.
The pledge of 1892 to the people
is redeemed as far as the people
have conferred the power. The
tariff reformers could not control
a Senate to which a majority of
real reform ers had not been elect
ed. The House has shown what
honest reformers can do by pass
ing bills for tree sugar, free iron,
free coal and free barbed wire.
Having placed the blame for in
completeness OF the reform where
it belongs, the House Democrats
can adjourn in the "conciousness
OF duty DONE"
Now that tariff legislation is at
an end for this Congress, business
owe to the country an increased |
activity and confidence. The ell
ements of prosperity are all with
US. Set everywhere the example
of faith and energy. Doubts about
the laws are at rest. There is
nothing else tor business men to
doubt except their own strength
will. Matters will not come right
Of themselves. Men must take !
them right. 1t is just about a
year since the acute financial
trouble began. 1t is just about
time for the year OF sharp revival
to begin.
Globe Democrat
The surrender of the House I'M
tariff contest with the Senate is |
complete, conclusive and humiliat. |
lug. 1t involves not only con-
fession of icapacity for tariff legis-