Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-03-16
THE SENATE AND THE TARIFF

There are some indications that the Sen.
ate is becoming FESTIVE under the popular
criticism of its tardiness in dealing with the
tariff bill. This restiveness lie natural, per
haps, but lie hardly justifable, and the ex-
cnses given for 1t and the delay encountered
by the bill by no means satisfy the demands
of the people of the country The criticism
complained Of is quite as natural, and has
for its foundation the most unequivocal
party pledges.
Two or three things seem 10 be forgotten
(perhape II would be more accurate 10 say,
are CONTEMPORARY brushed aside) by those
Democratic Senators who are endeavoring
to materially alter the Wilson bill. In the
firsa place, they avoid all reference to that
provision Of the National Democratic plat.
form which, in speaking of the McKinly
bill, demands the modification Of "its most
oppressive features, in the direction Of free
raw materials" The Wilson bill hewed
close to the line Of duty in this particular,
and yet this is the very particular in which
the Senate Finance Committee seems most
disposed to interfere with its schedules.
And, what makes this action the more rep
rehensible, the Senators who are pressing
the change with especial vehemence are
those who have interests of their own to
subserve by II. The people cannot see that
they are actuated BY a"broad Americanism,"
when the interests of toiling millions are
subordinated to the greed OF few pro-
ducers. TO whom the tariff, present and pro
posed, is nothing short of q bounty, and
when the tax imposed fatty contradicts and
nullifies the pledge Of the party upon which
Il gained its great victory 10 1899.
But another strong fact which condemns
the delay is, that the provisions of the Will
son bill were well known when it reached
the Senate. 1. had been discussed in the
House and out of II, and was known to meet
the approval Of the great mass OF Democrats
throughout the country. II Senators were
sincere In their desire to fulfill promptly
and completely the promises upon which
they secured the triumph of Democratic
principles, their alleged ignorance Of the
bSut0uIco VI TIC Uili 10 tuc lbuiOot CASuoc
possible, for il argues inattention TO current
legislation or inability to comprehend it,
That the country Is suffering from the
delay has been pointed out time and again
for months past Even the highly protected |
industries have begged for action which |
would relieve the situation Of anxiety, and |
permit trade TO resume its course. Nothing |
could be worse than the stagnation which |
has prevailed so long, and every day adds
10 the distress and increases the difficulties
Of the restoration of normal conditions.
Everything, therefore, seems TO stimulate
the Senate to prompt action on the bill
party loyalty, party interest, the public well
fare. Perhaps the people alone can secure
il. At all events they can remove any far
fetched doubts of the popular sentiment
which may finger in the Senatorial mind,
and persistent exercise of the right Of petit
ton demand the recognition to which they
are entitled Let the good work begin and
let it be increasingly continued until relief
Is furnished or the representatives of the
States prove recreant TO their trust.