New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-15
CONGRESS md THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK |

CONGRESS- md THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK
There is much hopeful talk about improve
mcnt in business, which everybody desires so
earnestly that every indication thereof Is strlc'iy
Observed published and made the most or
while evidences Of an opposite sort are apt ~
be overlooked or treated as lightly as possible.
This might he useful policy If the case were
one which could be rcmcdicd by access OF pop
ular confidence. But it would be no kindness 10
business men to encourage them in expanding
their operations and risks If the facts 90 hot
Justify expansion. That there is improvement
in the demand for some manufactured prouuc'S
is evident, and it would naturally follow inc
new years settlements. because thousands OF
dealers have been obliged to reduce purchases,
orders and obligations as far as possible until
those settlements were made. With stocks OF
goods much depleted. the necessities OF the
people force new purchases and orders 10 some
extent as soon as last years accounts nave peeh
ad iused. But the facts do not show That this
change extends to all branches of business. y
much more important cause of Improvement IS
the feeling which seems to have taken llrh
hold of manufacturers and merchants IN many
branches. that the Wilson Tariff bill is going 10
be defeated or at least so altered that the worst
effects need no longer be feared. TO 'his Is
added in some trades, the soundeT reasoning
that the bill cannot now be passed ana 80 INTO
effect until several months have elapsed, ana
that much business in their trades can be closed
up before that event.
INQUIRIES show that good deal or inc III
crease IN manufacturing has this comparatively
safe basis. Orders are received which can De
filled and for which payments can be received
yl,n1.l 10
and other orders which. though settlement can
not be made as soon. are from responsible con-
Germs. If the Wilson bill gets out of the House
in January, 1t is likely to occupy some months
in the Senate The Mckinley bill passed the
House May 81. but did not finally pass bo'h
houses until September 20, and if four months
should be spent this year in the Senate and in
conference, the bill would not take effect be-
fore July l. 1t is not impossible that the ne
cessties Of the Treasury may defer reduction
Of revenue somewhat longer. But the hope that
tho bill will be defeated, or essentially modi-
fed for the benefit Of industry, has too little
warrant TO be safe basis for business.
II Is true that the opposition IS tremendously
strong and increases every day. When Mas
sachusctts member presents Il protest signed
nv many thousand constituents in one district,
most of them Democrats, and bluntly tells the
Uouse: "Pass this bill, and / shall be the last
Democrat you will ever see in Congress from
that district" 1t has some weight. But the
Western and Southern Congressman feel Only
n languid interest In the misfortunes OF lhe
marty afar off. What they want Is to save
their own necks. They have preached TO their
partisans for many years that the tariif RODS
the West and South outrageOusy and now they
dare not 60 home without some enactment
which they can call a repeal of the Mckinney
bill. Men in that state of mind are practicaliy
bondslaves TO the few managers VINO coltroi
the committee and who can force them 10 Vo'e
for the Wilson bill or else TO retain the NC
Kinlcy act in operation The delay In the sen
ate will be longer and the difficulty greater Out
in the end the committee has power 10 force
substantially the same issue. The Western ana
Southern Democrats form n large majority or
the party in that body, and Will look out lor
their own scalps first. The Administration
will threaten and bride. DishOnored by its for
cicn conduct 1t stakes everything on carrying
a frccrade tariff.
Then there are scores OF members who know
already that they have no chance OF return
Elections last November read the political dcath
warrant of many. These men look to the Al
ministraton to provide for them. and are al
ready fishing 1Or once Men Ill tnaI Cohui'oh
care nothing about constituents, their industries
or their sufferings. Many Of them will he seen
obsequously sneezng every time the President
takes snuff. If their votes, with those or Rep
resentatives and Senators who have to save
themselves by pleasing the Populists and prop
erty haters OF the West and South, can carry
the bill. it will be passed with utter indiifcr-
ence to the consequences. Men like Johnson OF
Ohio and Watcrson Of Kentucky, while desps-
ing the measure as far below their demands,
will vote for it as the longest step toward free
trade ever taken in this generation.
1t is not a cheering outlook for industry or for
business. But Democrats who best know the
temper of their own party at Washington be-
licve that the bill. bad as 1t Is. will have to be
passed. 1t is part of the penalty that the Dem
ocratic party must pay for dcceiving the people
with shameless fascho0ds thirty years and
more Its passage would teach the people more
In one year than they would have learned with
out it In lifetime, and among other things,
not to vote for a change again unless they
want It,