Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-05-17
THE CONSERVED TARIFF.

Is an increase OF duty
not in the interest of revenue for the
government, but solely for increased
profit to those manufacturers who are
so fortunate as to possess a Senatorial
spokesman. These increases are not
made openly but are concealed IN
change from I'D vaIorem to specific du-
ties; and in some cases by reclassihca-
ton of articles subject to varying rates
of duty, which makes comparison with
the Wilson bill impossible.
The chart laid down by the national
Democracy for the guidance of the
present Congress declared emphatic
ally that the government had no power
to levy duties save for revenue only :;
and that the collection of taxes should
be strictly limited to the needs of gov
eminent, honestly and economically
administered. Tested by this declara-
ton, each one of the conservative
amendments is a sacrifice Of principle
and breach of solemn pledges.
And yet, such are the exigencies Of
party politics, that it would be not
only unjust but unreasonable to in
clude the whole Democratic party IN
sweeping condemnation, as refusing
to fulfil solemn pledge on the faith
of which it was returned to power.
In the first place, no one pretendS-any
longer that the Senate Is truly or adj
equately representative of the people
in the second, the two parties therein
are so equally divided that the balance
of power rests with the Soj-dtSant
Democrats who now call themselves
conservatives. " These men seem
scarcely to know what principle means
in politics and they are moved solely
by regard for their fortunes or am
billions and by deadly hatred Of the
present administration. Recognizing
their power, they have refused to allow
the passage of any tariff-reform meas
ure unless it was shaped to comply
with their selfish demands. This is
the explanation of the new amend
ments.
A chain is no stronger than its
weakest link. And the situation which
confronts us enforces the truth that
however sound may be the principles
of a party, however sincere and lofty
Its aim, its performance will be limited
and determined by the least worthy
of those to whom it has conceded the
authority of leaders. Oftentimes the
devil can only be fought successfully
with fire; and these conservatives
have frequently done good service in
the mysteries of campaign manage
ment and manipulation-the swire-
pulling made necessary by similar tao
ties on the part of our enemies. By
these means they have risen to posi-
tions for which they are totally unfit
and their actions are governed solely
by their notions Of the rewards which
they deserve for the services they have
rendered, whose value they naturally
rate too high. They are essentially
machine politicians and have no con-
ception of State craft as applied to
subserve the best interests of the
whole nation.
And they are so earnest in their
profession, so devoted to the interests
which they have espoused, that the
odium of being bracketed with Bene-
diet Arnold, in the press and on the
rostrum throughout the land, has no
terrors for them.
The fault Justly chargeable upon
the Democratic party, then, is not that
Of being false to its pledges. But it
is responsible for the grave mistake
of permitting tools, whose employment
seemed necessary to meet the baser
methods of its adversaries, to assume
to be its leaders, and to attain a posi-
ton which has inspired them with an
apparent intention to rule or ruin the
party. They will do neither; and
the people may be trusted to avoid
any such mistakes in the future.
Whom the gods would destroy they
first make mad; and the days of the
conservatives" as a power in politics
are numbered.
Meantime, let the bill be passed at
once; for even this conserved tariff
is better than the Mckinley act; and
there can be no revival of business
prosperity until an end has been put
to its agitation.