The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-11
Will Settle Itself.

The tariff question, though not
properly treated by any means. i:
practically settled for some years to
come, and at least it is put into tbs
shape where it will ultimately settle
itself.
1t is not at all probable that we shall
ever see another high protective tariff
/ enacted in this country, but that
rather with the altered conditions OF
commerce and the close commercial
relations between the nations of the
world, and the process Of re-adjust-
ment through which we are passing,
| the tendency will be TO lower the
tariff
OF course, MIR. Cleveland thought,
and he had the right TO think, that
the Congress would redeem its pledges
by promptly reforming the tariff in
accordance with Democratic princi-
! pies; but in this he, as well as his
party, were disappointed.
1t is not my purpose at this time to
review that long and in many respects
unfortunate contest in the Senate of
the United States over the tariff, any
further than to do justice TO our pres
ident. Much criticism has been in
dulged in concerning his action. That,
[ believe, is both unfair and unjust. 1t
has been said that he should have
convened Congress in extra session
soon after his Inauguration, in order
that it might go al once to work on
the tariff.
Two reasons have been assigned for
this. One is that if he had done so,
trusts and mOnopolieS could not have
had time to have eXerted their bane-
full influence and thWarted proper ac-
ton.
The other is that if it had been done.
the country would have begun the pro-
cess of recuperation sooner, and, con-
sequently, the finances of the govern
ment would not have suffered so Sc
verely and the effects of the panic
would not have been so severe.
So far as the first reason is con-
cerned, it is sufficient to say it is
wholly inadmissible. The idea that
Mr.. Cleveland should have entertained
the belief or fear that a Democratic
Congress, elected after the severest
political struggles for years past to
reform the abuses of tariff taxation
and put it in harmony with constltu-
tionaI principles, should be driven
from that purpose by any such in
f1uence, is at once so absurd as to
blunt common sense.
To begin with, he was incapable OF
entertaining any such thought of
his party, much less act upon II. IL
any such danger existed he had no
right to suspect it; and as an honest
man and a Democrat, did not suspect
it. Besides all which. it is by no
means certain that the result Woulo
have been much different, anyway
So far as the second criticism IS con-
cerned. I believe it is a just one and
there is but little doubt in my mind
that if it were TO do over he would
act differently.
Had Congress been called together
in April or May and within a lew
months passed the bill it did nnaLy
pass, it would have been mucn better
for the country. I believe that 1t
would have greatly modiiled some OF
the severest effects which followed the
panic and Congress would have been
in a much better condition TO Iegis-
late before it suffered the demorallz-
ing effects of the unfortunate struggle
over the silver question.
So far as the management OF the
finances of the government IS con-
cerned. all fair-minded men Will ADMIT
that in the use of the means at his
disnosaI Mr.. Cleveland has done all
that could be done. even in the dark
est hour. Political friend and foe
alike must admire the manner in
which he has stood by the credit OF
the government, and his untiring ef-
forts to uphold it. At all times the
country has felt that the credit OF the
was as safe in his hands
as it could possibly be in any.
The Time VIII Come.
believe that the American people
are a justice-loving people, and be-
lieve the time will come when both
with their hearts and tongues they
will do Mr. Cleveland full justice. He
has had a heavy load to carry, diff
culties to incur, severer and more COM
plicated than has been the lot of any
one who has preceded him; but who
will saw that he has ever faltered,
that he has ever vacilated, that he has
changed his course or deceived the
people?
Who will say that through all the
troubles of the two years past he mas
not stood fearlessly at the helm of
state and bid defiance to carping critl-
cism?
There are two years yet left to him,
and though by no fault of his, he will
have. politically speaking, an un-
friendly majority in both branches of
Congress, it is believed that the con-
fdence in his patriotism and wisdom
is such that he will be able to accom-
plish much.
He has had all the honors that the
American people can confer upon him.
RI he should live the time allotted him
bv nature he will yet see his fellow
citizens honor him for his patriotism
and his administration as just ana
wise one. JOHN w. JUDD.
NOTE-The foregoing paper was
prepared in March, soon after the Atm
lay, when the first two years OF Mr..
administration had elapsed
rhe few months which have passed |
IT fal- q n1Tdnn9 nrIdR