New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-19
WHAT rs GAINED.


n,sos md II Is I'm order to inquire what nave
the nartles won? One thing the Democratic
marty has clearly gained. 1t was by many sup
poscd to be absolutely incompetent TO pass an!
revenue bin. and has shown that II Is not. his
wos the one shining goal upon WHICH
Dcmocrots in Washington fixed their eyes.
Senator Vest pathetically confessed. IN his
latest specch. that this was the one OBJ
tcct OF supreme DESIRE 1t would be fatal
n the norty should be proved incapable or pass
Ing any bill. Accordingly bill. such as II -
has been passed. The capacity OF the Demo
cratic Marty 10 pass such bill must be conced'
ed. 1t can sell itself out to sundry monopohes.
and by allowing the Treasury TO be robbed "
can pass a BILL SO much Is proved.
At tho same time II Is proved that the Demo
cratic marty is not competent TO do what IL
n,odoes itself and tries to do. 1t promised 10
overthrow sundry monopolles which had grown
nm under previous legislation. Instead. IL en-
ohled those monopolies 10 bold the country by
the throat" as Professor Wilson pitlfuly says
and 10 dictate exactly what laws shall De
nasse,l That most Of the Democratic members
honestly intended TO carry out their pledges need
NOT he Joubtel. The trouble Is that they could
not save the party without breaking every pledge
III
TO that extent How much Of II Is left. Win us
nr,ncinles trodden under foot and its action be-
smeared with corruption. future voting must
toll ANY marty worth saving would have pre-
forrcd failure to infamy aud It's voters may.
Tho overthrow Of discriminating duties FOR the
purpose Of protection, the substitution OF al
va,orem for specific duties, the admission OF raw
materials free, the smashing OF trusts ana mo-
nopolies. were the principles for which the party
fought or supposed itself fighting. 1t has drii'
nitely abandoned every one OF them. It's 'atiu
from beginning TO eni Is a mass Of discrimina-
tons avowedy intended TO suit or to save par
t,cular interests. 1: has retained specific In
stead Of al valorem duties in great majority
Of disputed cases 1t has taxed some raw ma
terials and made others free. 1t has turned over
the Government TO the trusts and monopohes. 10
be looted at their pleasure. These things nave
been done. moreover. not by n combination OF
few members OF the Majority with the OPPOSE
ton in the voting upon particular clauses or
duties so that In these separate features The
majority party was actually defeated. rs hap
pencd in many important cases when the tariH
OF 1883 was framed. hut by deliberate action OF
two Democratic cauclises. one In the Senate ana
one In the House. fortyihree Senators were
their committee proposed and the majority In
the House accepted and passed the bill exactly
os framed by this process In the Senate. 1n
pecuar and very unusual degree. therefore, the
two Democratic majoritics have made them
selves responsible for every item and for oil
the departures from the principles Of their
party.
The absolute failure Of the Democratic party
70 revoke or repeal the essential features OF the
protective tariff Is the highest possible evidence
of the strength Of that tariff with the people.
They have tried It's essential features for thirty
three wears and even a hostile party does not
dare ~ depart from them. 1t was question OF
votes and the Senators from various States
knew that they could not retain votes enough
TO be reelected. and that their party could not
get votes enough I'm those States 10 retain con.
troll OF the Government. II II departed further
from the principles Of the protective tariff. The
Republican party has. therefore. gained con-
fcssion and a demonstration that It's policy has
pleased the people so well and promoted their
prosperiy 50 greatly that 1t cannot be over
thrown.
One other important gain Is test Of the rate
or extent OF protection required. The Demo
cratic tariff protects, but In spots and made
ouately. Republicans hold that greater National
prosperity is attained by protecting adequately
and Systematically. Experience will teach the
people whether a complete and thorough pro-
tectve tariff Is better than a Democratic botch.
If the measure Of prosperity attained in October,
1892. under the Republican tariff before
change was ordered shall be surpassed by the
prosperity attained under the Trust tariff just
passed, the people will know IT, II not II wages
and production and general prosperity do not
recover 10 the level Of 1892. the people will know
It. and will decide for complete and thorough
protection instead Of Democratic botchng and
laundering How great that gain IL. for Repub-
lican principles and the protective policy, time
will show