The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-23
BUILDING ON SAND.

NO pONcy can endure lOr long as
feature of intelligent government
which is based wholly upon unrelieyed
selishness The man who asks that
the government protect his steel mill
should, If from no higher ground than
expediency. be willing to let the gov,
ernment afford corresponding protec
tion to his neighbor's factory or mine.
A community In one section cannot
hope to get permanent help by federal
legislation, through tariff protection
upon its special interests. upless it is
disposed to conced9 a proporticnate
share Of encouragement to other COM
munities having different interests
standing in similar need
When Representative Halnes. of
Troy, for instance, conceded that the
collar and cuff industry could prosper
only under protection, he gave the
whole case of the Democratic party
away. He cannot upon any tenable
ground of logic or ethics deny to other
sections and other industries protec-
ton which he earnestly demands az
indispensable to his own 1t would be
far nobler. far more manly, vera he to
put himself down Hat footed for an
ad valorem revenue tariff of single
fixed per cent. on all goods whatsoever
imported into this land, thus discard
ing utterly the whcl3 idea of protec.
tion, than to claim protection for one
industry and profess willingness to
let the other industries root, hog, or
die" The Wilson bill, with its
splaShes and blotcheS Of favorltism and
ultra-prejudice, is not revenue tariff
bill 1t is not even a revenue reform
bill. 1t is simply gratuitous con.
spiracy of sectional hatred and re
venge, relieved by reckless expert.
ments planned for what they are
worth.
In contrast with this indecisive, this
incongruous, chaotic bill, stands the
present tariff act. representing fixed
and scientific purpose. While the
Mckinley law, in its various sched-
ules, lays no claim to perfection, can,
did economists concede that it repre-.
sents the nearest approximation yet
made to systematic. coherent protec-
tiou. Its sole purpo5e and aim was to
benefit industry and labor-the indus
try aud labor that have their abode in
this republic, as contraated with in.
dustry and labor which covet the
American market without paying the
American wage. And it would haYe
accomplished this end, if it had been
given a fair chance.
1t is the Republican policy, in its
treatment of American interests, to
have neither friends to favor nor enc
mics to punish; but to give to each in-
dustry the fullest measure Of tariff pro.
lection seemingly necessary to Its legi.
timate needs without working harm or
havoc to the general we al. As policy,
this may be wrong, but lis at least con-
aistent. Upon the other hand, the
Democratic promise ia one having neith
er fixity Of purpose nor distinctneSs of
Interpretation. 1t offers no definite
hope to theAmerican manufacturer nor
yet extends relief to the laborsr it has
filled with discomfort 1t is neither a
promise of a protection nor an assur-
ance Of free trade. 1t pledges no suf =
ficient revenue nor guarantees one
steady market. 1t is fish to this man,
flesh to another and to a third ID foul
with the certainty Of his industrial
destruction.
1t is therefore incumbent upon all
honest and consistent Democrats to
unite with Republicans in the fight
against Wilson bill. 1t is the duty of
all Democrats to stand upon solid
ground; to be either revenue. reformers
or advocates Of consistent protection.
The Wilson bill is neither one thing nor
the other. Its protection is incidental
and accidental. while its attempts at rev
enue reform simply broaden and deepen
the chasm that divides this government
from solvency. Better far,a law which
is honest and emphatic, though it be
thought erroneous in principle, than an
experiment which has no principle, and
a threat whose only visible consequence
is immediate and widespread ruin.