New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-05
ACTION MADE NECESSARY.

ACTION MADE NECESSARY.
President Cleveland's patriotic declaration Mt
the close of his Message should be very seriously
considered by Republican leaders In one sen
tence he has made it absolutely necessary Tor
them 10 take action which some OF them may
have been willing to defer. While 1t was be-
uevcd that the President would not approve any
real change of tariff for the purpose or lncreas-
ing the revenue. it was possible to urge that no
time should be spent on such Il measure Many
may hold that belief still But the President
now declares in his formal message to Con-
gross. II have suggested a remedy which my
Judgment approves. ] desire. however, to as
"sure the Congress that am prepared TO CO.
Generate with them in perfccting any Otner
measure promising thorough and practical re-
"Uef" Public servants are bound to treat that
declaration rs sincere until the President him
self. by veto Of the measure proposed by Con-
gross nroycs that II is not made in good faith,
Int intended 10 capture for him the reputation
If natriotic statesman while he is privately
determined to reject whatever Congress shall
propose on the ground that it is not a measure
promising thorough and practical relief If he
should do that his insncerity would be branded
as it deserved to be.
the people accept this declaration in its natural
Significance He knows that 1t will be so ac-
ccpted in business circles. promise that
mere difference of opinion as to the wisdom or
different measures of relief will not mpel the
Executive to defeat the act Of representatives
of the peon,e AMI thus prevent the adoption OF
any measure. 1t is 80 accepted by many al
ready. Undoubtedly the President also Intends
p,t1- oC,,l,r, NY
sufficient measure. Il stood ready TO set aside
nv individual convictions had the peoples
Representatives offered any proper plan, but
"tbey refused" Millions would then feel that
partisan motives differences OF opinion or
of interest among Republicans, prevented adop-
ton of any plan Of relief The Republicans can
not afford to place themselves in that position.
On higher ground. patriotic public servants
they have no right. for any reason whatever to
fail in meeting the responsibility thus placed
upon them.
The Republicans probably without a single
exception. believe that deficiency of revenue and
excessive imports invited by reduced duties are
the main cause OF trouble and danger. If so,
they are bound to submit remedy based upon
their convictions II may be troublesome; 1t may
not suit the personal plans Of some; but the
duty could not be clearer nor more imperative
They all believe thai the placing Of wool ana
some other articles the free list, the great re-
duction Of duties on some important classes OF
goods and the substitution of easily evadcd al
yalorcm duties for specific. have thrown away
S75OO0OO0 of revenue yielded by The tariff OF
1890 and greatly increased imports at time
when that increase takes gold ont OF the coun-
try and out of the Treasury. If Republicans de
cline or fail. IN the presence of the Presidents
declaration to submit plan based on this be-
lief they will be false to their convictions and
to their duty to the country
II is possible that the President would not ap-
prove any such plan. even To the extent Of per
uniting il TO become law without his Signature
rs he did The tariff which he branded as per
fdy and dshonor," but which he now says ''n
principle is based upon denial Of the right
"of the Government to protect That can only
he determined by sending him prope- bill,
which will raise needed revenue and limit i'm
ports. 1t is also conceivable that he has dis
covered, from astounding adverse majorites.
that his tariff policy dooms any man or party
70 defeat and though sticking to his opinion, Is
anxious to get out Of responsibility for It's con-
SEQUENCES His refusal to repeat his previous
Z impassioned appeals for further tariff reform"
annears to have no other meaning Be It
not. his official declaration compels Congress to
act as If he meant what he said. 1t makes il
imnossible for Republicans TO refrain from sub
hitting a measure Of relief based upon their
convictions Of duty TO the country.