The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-12-14
HARRISON AND M'k,NLEY'sM.
Now the Ex-presldcIIe Stood Whom the
High Tariff Law Was Passed..

HARRISON AND M'kiNLEYIsM.
How the Ex-Presldcne Stood When the
High Tariff Law Was Passed..
The friends Of BENJAMIN Harrison,
who, with doubtful tact, but with very
clear comprehension of public senti-
paent, are striving to clear him of any
responsibility for the Mckinley law
have doubtless forgotten the ringing
Endorsement of that measure sent by
eress at the opening of its second ses-
sion in December, 1890.
The occasion was scarcely one for
eu1o9y of McKinleyism. Proud of their
achievement in reforming the tariff by
increasing it's burdens, the republicans
In that house of representatives had
gone cheerfully before the people q
month before seeking approval and re-
election. The legislative triumphs Of
their career had been the enactment Of
the Sherman silver law and the Nc
Kinlcy tariff law. The vice Of the for
NOR had not at that time been discov-
cred and it did not form an issue in the
campaign. The merit Of the Mckinley
method Of promoting prosperity by in
creasing the burdens of taxation and of
facilitating commercial intercourse
with foreign. nations by refusing to
purchase their goods was the question
before the electorate. Democrats con-
fdently accepted the issue republicans
had raised.
The outcome Of the general elections
of November, 1890. is well reme1n-
bered-obviously very fresh in the
minds Of those politicians who arc now
striving to free ex-Prcsident Harrison
from responsibility for it. OF the one
hundred and seventy republican con-
gressmen who gathered to listen to the
reading Of the presidents message
al h had ynaf defeat a g reyyar6
for their activity in increasing taxation
ut the behest and for the profit of tho
fairfield millionaires, out of whom two
years earlier Senator Quay had fried
the fat for the benefit OF the republican
party. The people paid for the fat in
dignation upon republican candidates
at the polls. A republican majority in
the house had been converted into a
democratic majority Of one hundred
and forty eight. When Reed, the car,
mounted tho speakers rostrun to call
the house to order he gazed down upon
q sea of faces destined at the end of
gressional life.
Into this cave of gloom President
Harrison sent q trumpet blast of praise
for the very measure which had caused
the republican downfall. Under it, he
declared, 1--WE shall secure a larger and
more profitable participation in foreign
trade than we have ever enjoyed and
ticipation of the ocean carrying trade
of the world How far these opti-
mistic prophecies failed of realization
is a matter of recent history. Continu-
ing his eulogy of the law, which he
would now disavovv, the president de-
who believed that American legislation
should conserve and defend American
trade and the wages of American work
men," and insisted that there was
''neither wisdom nor justice in the sug-
gestion that the subject of tariff re-
vision shall be again opened before this
law has had fair trial.
Clearly If President Harrison was in
different to the progress of the tariff
bill through congress, and only vague
ly acquainted with its nature when he
assumed responsibility equal to that
of both houses of congress by signing it,
he was ready enough in December, 1890,
to defend it with all the warmth Of
which his nature is capab BILE.
Indeed, his zeal in it's behalf went
beyond mere defense. lie looked out
upon a great nation which had just re-
pudiatcd the law and its makers. He
knew, as every American must know,
that in this democracy the people are
the source of the 1aw-malSing power
and their verdict is final and conclusive.
But, in effect, President Harrison said
to the republican congress: "Never
mind the people. They do not know
what they are doing. They possess no
Intelligence equal to your worshipful
body. Give no heed to their demand
for repeal or amendment of the McKin-
ley law. Pass Oh. rather, to the enact
ment Of federal election law, SO that
with tho aid Of United States Judges
and the regular army the defeat OF re-
publican candidates for congress may
henceforth be averted."
Indeed the profane sentiment regard
ing the public which a certain Wander
bilt once uttered the president then
reechoed. ''Misinformation regarding
the terms of the act,' he insisted, ''had
been widely disseminated abroad and
at home" The simple, credulous peo-
pie had been dupcd. They had not
reciprocity clause in the bill which, by
taxing our people higher on the goods
from foreign nations which taxed their
people on goods imported from ours,
made the whole thing symmetrical and
prophesied that all this dissatisfaction
of the electorate would be corrected
by experience and that the evil augu
ries as to the results of the law con-
founded by the market reports, inter-
national trade balances and the general
prosperity of our people," Here, again,
President Harrison was lucl<less in his
prophecy. After two years experience
the people who had already turned the
Mckinley congress out of Office elected
ox,oy, MONA ouorIaSiS tho nan who