Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-22
Let the Tariff Bill Be Passed.

The businessmen OF Savannah gave on
Friday a new impetus TO tho ball which
the businessmen OF Chicago set In mo-
ton on Thursday. The Commercial Club
Of the former city held a meeting and
passed resolutions urging Georgla's Sena-
tors and Representatives. In Congress to
do all in their power to bring about
speedy action on the tariff bill for the
benefit OF the business interests Of the
country.
These Georgians have reached q con-
clusion TO which all sound. common-sense
people will ere long come-namely. that
the commerce OF the country is paralyzed
by the condition of uncertainty In which
all the business interests find them
selves, and not by the peculiar features of
any given tariff bill. The wholesale mer-
chants can neither buy nor sell. because
they do not know what amount of GUS
toms-dutes is to be levied upon any artl-
Gle. The retail merchants must necessa-
rlly follow the example set by the whole
sale merchants. And so whilst the two
houses of Congress are wrangling over the
question how COAL iron. sugar. and other
articles are to be treated in the new
tariff law, which 1t Is to be hoped will
soon be placed upon the Federal statute
books. the people at home are suffering
inexcusable wrongs from the delay which
that wrangling causes.
This seems to us to be matter Of life
and death to the Democratic party. 1t
has now been two years since the Chi
cago platform was formulated, and yet
the Mckinley law still remains on the
statute-book. The Democratic party APP
pears to some persons to be in danger of
disruption, and yet nothing whatever has
been done to get the disturbing questions
settled which are handled in that plat
form.
Here in Virginia there is TO be no Demo-
cratic State Convention this year, and we
are told that 1t Is expected that the seve-
raj congressional district conventions will
pass resolutions declaring the policy
which the Democratic party will pursue
in regard to the silver question. II the
tariff bill does not previously become a
law. these congressional district conven-
lions will find it quite as difficult to agree
upon that question here at home as to
agree upon 1t in Washington. What will
The average congressman have TO say for
himself when he rises upon the hustings
to address his constituents? Is the silver
question one with which he can deal safely
and confidently? Can this question be
made to overshadow the tariff question in
the face Of the condition of things now
obtaining in this country? VIII the hot
headed advocates Of the Senate tariff bill
hesitate to denounce the hot-headed advo-
Gates OF the House bill? Nay. If Congress
adjourns without having readjusted the
customs-duties, will not the Presidents
name be heard upon every stump and
confusion worse COMPOUNDED" result"
Think Of It, all we Virginia members Of
the House of Representatives. Ponder the
matter and decide for yourselves whether
II will or will not be wise for you TO come
home without a new tariff bill? Do not
fiatter yourselves that you can satisfy
your constituents by making speech to
them in favor OF the free coinage OF silver
Do not deceive yourselves into the belief
that the clouds which lower upon our
house can be dissipated by eloquence,
or flattery. or promises. The people have
awaited action on the tariff question
until their patience is exhausted.