The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-01
The Conspiracy of silence Ended.

There ought 10 be no uncertainty ne to
the effect OF Democratic tariff legislation
n the business interests OF the country.
About twenty months ago the Democratic
part gave notice TO the business interests
that II intrusted with power and RESPONSE
bility IL would abolish protection and make
tariff for revenue only.
Business interests Of nll sorts have had
twenty months in which to prepare for the
fulillment Of this pledge.
A revenue tariff Of thirty-nve per cent. ad
valorem on every article imported. without
distinction. without discrimination. with
out favoritsm to one American industry at
che expense OF another. would supply the
money for an economical administration Of
The nations affairs. That, according to a
Fundamental principle OF Democracy. is the
only constitutional purpose OF tariff.
At the same time the tariff OF thirty-f1ve
per cent. ad valorem. for revenue only.
would afford protection to that extent to
every American producer whose business is
affected by forelgh competition. Such pro-
lection is not tao object of constitutional
tariff for revenue only, but tits inseparable
from It. The practical difference between
this sort OF cohsi mntional protection. and
the unconstitutional protection which the
Democracy has pledged itself to wipe out, is
that the former is for everybody. while the
latter Is for favored few. With such
uniform tariff In prospect, every American
manufacturer or producer can calculate in
an hour or two the exact effect Of the change
upon his own interests, and regulate his
business accordingly.
The OILY trouble to business interests
that has arisen from uncertainty as to
what was to be done with the tariff. comes
from the uncertainty whether Democrats in
the White House and in Congress were hon.
est men. who meant to keep their party's
pledge. That has been the sole source OF
disturbance. But for that. the business in
terests Of the country would have adjusted
themselves long ago to the new tariff for
revenue only.
So far as concerns the Presidents recon-
mendations and the prolonged delibcra-
tions OF the Democratic majority In the
House OF Representatives. there has been
for months n conspiracy Of silence respect
ing the unqualified declarations OF the Chi
cago platform on the subject OF the tariff
The existence OF apy pledge. any definite
programme, any promise to the people. has
been steadily ignored. The conspirators OF
silence have attempted to treat those DEM
ocrats who remember the pledge OF twenty
months ago. who venture to speak OF it.
who call for its fulfilment. as IL they were
traitors to the party.
Is there anything more extraordinary
than this In the whole history OF American
politics? Was any conspiracy OF silence
ever baser In its conception or more humil-
Eating In Its partially successful execution
Apparently the conspiracy OF silence Is at
an end. In the current sessions OF the DEM
ocratic Senate caucus. the existence OF the
tariff plank in the Chicago platform. and
the possibility that the honor OF the party
requires Its fulfilment. were actually recog-
nlzed by the Hon. CALVIN S. BRIcE OF Ohio.
Honor to Senator BRIcE! Thus the light
breaks in