Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-11
Republicans Seem to Be Divided on
the Question.
NO GENERAL REVISION EXPECTED NOW
Conservatives Think the Matter
Should Not Be Pushed.
TON is ADVIS ED

Politicians are still discussing the cleo
tons of last Tuesday, and democrats and
republicans are studying the democratic
defeat with view of learning lessons to
be serviceable in the future conduct of the
parties. There is a division of opinion
among republicans regarding the result of
the elections on the tariff question.
When the last Congress adjourned there
was very prevalent feeling among repub-
lcans that the tariff would be dangerous
question to touch, notwithstanding the dis
satisfaction that existed with the new tariff
law The democrats felt that they wanted
to have the country forget all about tariff
reform for few years, and there was only
very small number of extremists who
believed in going ahead at once with the
work Of decreasing import duties. Mr..
Reeds attitude toward the tariff was in
dorsed by many republicans, and his policy
was generally accepted to be in favor of
doing away with tariff tnkering for the
present a. least, 20 allow the country to
settle down to business without the dis
tubing element of uncertainty of the tariff.
Tariff Talk Revived.
But now that the fall elections are over
few politicians of the republican party
are inclined to revive tariff talk, these per-
sons generally being favorable to the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Mckinley for the presidency.
They feel that If a protective tariff is to be
their candidate cannot help being placed
in strong position by reason of his ad- 1
vocacy of high protective tariff 1t is
this tendency toward bringing the tariff
forward again that is giving a great body
of conservative republicans much concern
over the future Of their party. They say
there is no need of imprassing on the Ameri-
can mind the fact that republicanism in
cludes great frendliness toward a protec-
tive tariff, whereas # that issue is pressed
forward with too much earneseness they
fear revolt of many newly made friends,
whoare not extremists i'll their views Of a
protective tariff system.
Among republicans there Is a feeling that
the tariff law must be amended sufficiently
to cause the revenues to meet the ex-
penditures, but this need not involve any
general revision of the law as a whole. 1t
is believed that such revision or correction
of the law will not cause unfavorable COM
ment on the part of any one while to go
beyond that is regarded as doubtful ground
by many who are well esteemed in their
party's councils.
What the Elections Show.
In studying the election of Tuesday re-
publicans generally do not claim that it
was very largely victory for a protective
tariff. 1t is more generally regarded as a
revolt against the democratic party, in
volving local issues that for the time were
given an Importance over any national
question. Tammany in New York, Mr..
OoTIHdH personal uSnC IN MaTy1dnu, Sill
yer in Kentucky, and in Ohio antagonism
to Mr.. Brce were all prominent features
of the campaign. These and other local
measures are looked upon as having buried
the old issue of the tariff for the time out
of sight, and many republicans think that
a serious danger lies before their party If
these questions are not carefully studied,
In order that their party shall not conclude
that the landslide of Tuesday was an eX-
preston of the people in favor of revival
Ct the Mckinley law.
No Revival of the Mckinley Law.
OF course, there will be no important at
tempt aimed at a revival of the Mckinley
law during the coming Congress- for the
veto of the President would doubtless
check any such effort. 1t is not the imme-
date passage of another Mckinley law
that conservative politicians fear. but
simply that their party may make what
they regard as a mistake by too pro.ni-
rently pushing the tariff to the front
They feel that they now have victory If
they do nothing to jeopardiZe their posi-
ton They think that the battle has been
won. Their party can indorse the principle
of protection by merely repeating the SEN
timent that has for so many years been
embodied in their platform. Even on the
financial question they think the party
should go slow and reassert its old tenets
They feel that the opposition to the democ-
racy is sufficient to assure them success
They feel that they have simply to say,
I'VE were prosperous when the republi-
cans were in power; therefore the republic
cans should be again given the helm Of
government"
Among republicans there is universal
feeling that they will be successful in 1896.
Those of the party who are cau.ionfng
care are looking farther ahead than 20 Sc
cure one more republican President. They
want long continuance in office, and they
think it can be secured by careful general