Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-25
MAY rs, 1894.
FRIDAY.
Mr.. German on the Compromise Tariff.

u i.
The United States Senate paid close at
tention on Wednesday last TO the speech
Of MIR. German. Of Maryland. who Is re
.ognzed as constituting in himself a sort
)f steering committee" He Is a man
" clear vision, destitute OF foolish no
ions, devoted to the interests OF the
Democratic party, and withal eminentiy
practical. We were not surprised to find
It stated that the attendance OF sena-
tors. Republicans as well as Democrats
was quite large, nor at the further state
m~nt that a profound silence spread
over the Senate chamber when he began
senator's and visitors settling down TO
rive him the most respectful attention
Mr.. Germans friends say that he has
been the victim OF Democratic cranks
and Republican enemies. He has been
made scapegoat in Maryland, and the
abuse which he has received from MS
Republican enemies and the enemies OF
the Democratic party has been used by
personal enemies in the effort to destroy
his usefulness. These enemies boast that
the day of his control Of the Democratic
party OF Maryland has passed: but there
was no indication that such was the
fact In the scene in the United States
Senate on Wednesday last.
Mr.. German gave the Democratic doc
trinaires n passing notice. These gentle
men claimed. in substance. he said that
there was no room in the Democratic
Of
upon even such purely business matters
as tariff schedules: and he closed the
mouths Of the opposition in his own party
by stating that the compromise or Senate
tariff follows strictly the course marked
out by President Cleveland In his letter
accepting the nomination of the Chicago
Convention.
What was this course? Whence did II
lead? Who now stand with the President
on this question? Mr. German answers
these interrogatories by telling us that the
Senate bill was constructed upon the
Democratic theory of Il tariff for reve-
nue. furnishing such incidental protection
as can be given consistently to
the industries of this country. In other
words, the Senate briff will be a Judi
c.ous tariff" affording incidental protec-
ton TO coal, iron-ore, sumac, tobacco.
peanuts. and to whatever other American
interests can properly nc cared for with
out running counter TO the creed of the
national Democratic party. The President
recognizes the fact that higher wages are
paid in this country than N Europe. and
is willing to discriminate to the fun OK
tent of this difference in wages. Has the
President deserted the Democratic party?
Bounties of any sort coming from the
Congress of tho United States and in
tended to build up any business at the ex-
pense OF consumers fail to commend
themselves to our favor Nevertheless. we
concede that there is something in what
Mr. German says on this point. 1t would
seem to be cruel to take from the Louisi-
ana sugar-planters all at once the pro-
lection which they have hitherto enjoyed
and make that State "a bowling wilder
ness" In time Of war with any foreign
country the sugar industries OF this coun-
try might prove to be one of the greatest
OF blessings. These industries include the
beet-sugar which California and Nebraska
already make.
In touching upon an income-tax. Mr.. Cor
man rises above personal and local in
terests and avows 1t TO be his purpose
to vote for the Senate tariff bill, II he
must, Notwithstanding that it may con-
tain a provision levying an income-tax.
We understand this TO be President Cleve-
lands position: and under these circum-
stances every good Democrat might we'll
agree to support that bill as 1t will be
when 1t is returned from the Senate TO
the House of Representatives for final
action before calling upon the President
TO sign II.
Mr.. Germans speech, SO 1t happened.
was followed at short interval by
vote upon the question OF laying the
Senate bill upon the table; and the mega
tive vote was strong enough TO indicate
that the bill will command a majority
in that body whenever 1t comes up on
Its final passage. The Senate divided Ss
to IS. This result inspired new hopes In
the Democrats IN Washington, and Will
strengthen the congressional friends OF
tariff legislation. only let us have a
tariff to so before the people on In No
vember next. and all will yet be well.
But II Congress fails to accomplish this
object We know not what dire disasters
will be the portion of what We may not
thereafter have the privilege of styling
the Jacksonian, Jeffersonian party OF the
foremost nation In the world.