St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-10
PROGRESS IS SLOW. BUT SURE

L
Unhappily there is much of truth in
the criticism of the pending tariff bill
recently uttered by ex-Speaker Reed.
The measure is not Democratic one.
nor is it in agreement with the pledges
of the party to repeal that eliminating
atrccity of class legislation, the McKin-
ley bill. There is much of protection in
the bill as 1t stands at present; there is
much OF class legislation. lis, In some
of its details, cowardly makeshift-a
compromise that will result III strength
enlng the defenses of the robDer tariff
benefciaries, and deny to the people
that relief they have been promised. and
which they have a right to expect.
Yet, with all its imperfections, the
pending bill is better than nothing. As
Senator Palmer puts it. the public will
do wei! to accept BALI loaf rather than
have no bread. 1t is step in the right
direction, and especially important as
denying the right of any class orlnterest
to protection. This is blow at the
foundation of the tariff system 1t may
be necessary or eXpedient to grant pro-
lection under certain circumstances
but when it is so granted it must be
considered as privilege. not claimed
as right.
The Republicans, by their taunts,
however, may be doing far more for
tariff reform than they desire. 1t is not
beyond the range Of possibilities that by
their taunts they may provoke the
Democrats in congress to taking more
decided and consistent position OH some
features Of the bill. AS the sugar trust
is the most frequently cited as the re-
cipient of favors, that organization may
be chosen as the target for attack. And
it is hoped that this will he the case, for,
if once assailed, the batteries of the
tariff reformerS will never be withdrawn
until the stronghold of protection and
monopoly shall have surrendered I'M
condiiionalIy. This bulwark carried,
the succeeding campaign against the
less powerful foes can be waged with
certainty of success.
The majority of the people are pre-
pared for and have demanded reform of
the tariff, but their representatives in
congress lag behind. They are to a
large extent the servants of the monop-
olies, and are paid literally by them.
They consider their duty to the people
as of secondary importance. and execute
tirstthe will of their capitalistic masters.
But change is impending. The people
have become weary of the protracted
| delay in tine settlement of questions
| that SO vitality concern them. and when
| the opportunity offers they will take
| good care that their unfaithful servants
| are properly punished. No senator who
| has sided with the monopolists in this
| struggle need hope to be returned to his
seat; no representative who has proved
| the tool of the tariff barons need look for
| denomination or reelection. The
| people are in no mood to be trifled
with. They have set their hearts upon
reform Of the abuses in our system of
taxation. and will be content with moth
| ing short of complete revolution that
| shall overthrow forever the dominion of
the monopOlies. Their progress may be
slow at first. They will take what they
can get from the present congress, and
in November next will choose congress
| tAdI WALL Siuub luGiu ulOlCs dltllOuSu
perhaps not all they desire. And so the
campaign will progress from year to
year. The ultimate result will be the
subservIence OF all interests to the gen.
eral good. 1t should be understood that
whoever shall attempt to stand in the
way Of this reform will be crushed be-
meath the wheels of the car of progress,
| which will move forward with ever-in-
creasing momentum until the goal is
| attained