New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-24
AN IMPORTANT DEFEAT

The Administration has been soundly beaten
in the House. as it was in the Ways and Means
Committee. by a majority OF its own partisahs'
Sensible that an income tax would be odious
and might defeat its pet tariff, the Adinlhistra-
ton tried in the House to oyerturn the decision
of the committee against the tariff on raw
sugar But by a large majority the House has
decided against any duty on raw sugar. rejected
the gradual decrease of sugar bounty proposed
by the committee, and even voted to take OH
all duty from refined sugar. Being thus de-
feated in a Democratic House, the Adminstra-
ton end of the Democratic party resorts 10
whining, as usual, blaming its political oppo-
nents for its defeat, as If they were under any
obligation to help it to pass measure break
ing down American Industries. Whatever
merit 1t may have, this end of the Democratic
party Is indisputably the mcaner and less man
~ one. Its pitiful appeals to Republicans Tor
help, and whining AT Republicans when they
decline, are likely TO make it known as the cry
baby Democracy, just as 1t Is already the cuckoo
Democracy.
Mr. Reed and his Republican associates In the
House can be trusted to beat the Free Traders
as often as they have power and as badly as
they can. From time mmemorial II has been
feature of legitimate parliamentary tactics
to load down a hostile measure with amend
ments which may sink II. Republicans are not
engaged In helping the Free Traders TO make
the tariff acceptable to a ma jority in the House
or the Senate, and If they can vote into II
amendments which will kill the bill, the PreSi-
dent and Chairman Wilson may expect to see
it killed. For the Democratic party has de-
liberatey made war on American industry, and
with a strong Democratic majority In both
houses Of Congress. If that majority cannot
be induced to agree upon any revenue duty
sufficiently TO command a quorum for 1t, the
stanch and faithful defenders Of home indus
try ought to prevail. At all events, Adminis'ra-
ton whining will not avail in the least TO lessen
the shrewdness or the vigor Of their defence
Already the Democracy is complaining that
this wicked Republican minority may vote to
nut the income tax amendment into the Tariff
bill. 1t is probable that they may. if that will
help to defeat the Wilson bill. They have n
right to load it down with all the offensive
amendments they can. If It's friends in the
House cannot muster votes enough to prevent
| such an amendment they are ut liberty TO drop
their bill and to cease their warfare upon
American industry soon as they like. In
some way they are obliged to raise revenue
enough for the Government. If they refuse TO
| receive it from foreign manufacturers and i'm
porters, they are compelled to find some other
mode of getting it, and those who do not want
TO legislate for foreign interests exclusively will
take care to help them as little as they can.
1t is generally understood that the defeat OF
the sugar duty which the Administrator fac-
ton has constantly favored as compensation
for the heavy protective duties to be removed,
means that majority in the House will favor
making the income tax a part OF the Tariff bill.
1t belongs in that measure, II 1t Is to go through
anywhere, for it is a shameless performance
to pass by itself n bill protesting to raise reve-
nue. which would create deficit of $75,0OO,OOo.
to he met by some other measure Of unknown
provisions But it is also said that many Demo-
Gratis will not vote for the income tax, even II
it should be made part Of the Tariff bill. Very
well; the hearts Of millions Of American work
ers, who wait in vain for work to-day, would
not be sore if Democratic disagreement should
put an end to the warfare against their in