Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-26
WEDNESDAY.......SEPT. &c, 1891.
A Philosophical Tariff.

The Democrats have succeeded In get
ting the Republicans into dilemma from
which the latter will find 1t no easy mat
ter to extricate themselves. II they ad-
vocaie the re-cnactment OF the Mckinley
law in all its entirety" the people will
surely desert their standards. The cOun>
try has had during the last twelve months
tariff agitation enough 10 last II for Mt
least one generation. and will not coun-
tenance any movement in either party
which contemplatcs throwing or keeping
business IN restless and unsettled condi-
ton.
on the other hand. II the Republicans
decide not to advocate the rc-enactment
OF the Mckinley law as n whole. they will
have no party capital upon which to do
their political banking. \ general revision
OF the tariff being out Of the question a.
a measure which the Republicans expect
to commend 10 the favor OF the voters.
the Republican party will find itself com
pletely at sea. Revision in detail was
adopted by the Democrats as their policy
when the House Of Reprcs natives agreed
TO concur in the Senate amendments TO
the Wilson bill. and to introduce, as the
Democrats did introduce. separate bills
touching the customs-duties upon several
different articles. This IL. therefore, DEM
ocra;ic thunder. AMI the Republicans VIII
not be allowed to steal it,
To wait for the teachings Of experience
in regard TO the new tariff would seem
to b. In the nature Of things just what
DO h parties ought To DO. II there are OBJ
1,ciionable features in the tariff, let them
le minated. II there are oppressive yea
tIrcs in IT, III the burther. be- removed
as sooI as 'ossible II there are good
features which may DE made still better
1t the work lee done TacaeItph ~ para
graph. If there he anywhere room for i.n-
pioyement let the Improvements /" made
\ tariff would thus be secured Which
might be pronounced philosophical
tariff. 1t would b. the product Of evolu-
ton. or. in other words. would bc such
Il tariff as actual experience would have
recomme ndtd 10 the voters.
However. We see signs eVerywhec"
that the Republicans will not be- in
hurry to come out for the re-enactmcnt
Of the Mckinley bin. nor for any other
tariff measure that would cause them TO
stand before the people as the friends
and patrons Of a renewed agitation upon
the tarin question The businessmen
would not stand such an attack upon
the trade Of tn country.
Again: such leading Republicans as
ex.President Harrison. eXSpcaker Red.
and all the other aspirants TO the next
nomination Of thu Republican party for
President OF the United States are op-
posed to making the re-enactment Of the
Mckinley law an issue in the preliminary
campaign To make the Mckinley law
such an issue would be to give Mckinley
the inside track in the presidential race.
= his. We repeat. might suit Mr.. Mckinley.
but would be policy which would not
commend itself TO the support Of the
other publican aspirants 10 the presi-
dency.
How. then. can the Republicans meet
ne Democrats on the stump? The for
DER are divided on the silver question.
nd promise to be still more divided be-
sre 1896 They will be afraid to advo-
Sate d general revision OF the tariff, and
go their protective theories will avail
them nothing: or. II they try to steal
the Democratic thunder and come out for
allowing only the "ittest features 90
the new tariff ''to survive" they Wi,
find themselves advocating a policy which.
as we have said, was adopted by the
Democrats of tie House Of Representa-
tivrs when that body agreed to concur
in the Senate amendments TO the tariff
bill.