New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-11
THE POLITICAL OCTLOOh.

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.
The elections in cities of NewJersey mark n
rising food of Indignation. and not any reaction
whatever from other elections this spring or last
fall. In almost every city Republican majoritieS
are Surprisingly large. even in old Democratic
stropcholds-as for example, 900 in Jersey City
and 800 in New Brunswick where a Republican
Mayor is elected for the first time in twelve
wears Local questions enable the Democrats 10
retain their hold in a few cities, as in Paterson
and uoboken, but there is an overwhelming
drift against the party which gave President
Cleveland $1,000 plurality. In Jersey City and
Newark alone the change has been over $4,000
in two years and a half. The infamous conduct
of the Democratic machine unquestonably start
ed the avalanche. But after the racctrack swim
dlcrs had been overthrown. and the cities had
been placed in decent hands "A return 10 party
lines would naturally have followed, but for the
intense disapproval Of the Democratic National
policy New-Jcrscy is a State of workers. ana
loss Of employment by many and reduction OF
wages for the rest have produced results which
amaze men who have Worshippcd Free Trade
theories.
II is already evident that a new and important
source OF disaster to the Democratic party has
been added by the collapse of the income tax.
However wicked in spirit and hostile to constl'u-
tional guarantees. that tax might have been a
source Of some strength for the party if 1t could
have been enforced rs it was enacted. Many III
Informed working people, even at the East, would
have been rejoiccd 10 see their landlords com
PEELED to pay heavy taxes. and the great corpora
tons forced to bear n large share of the Nation
bur,lcn In Western and Southern States an
tinathv for the large denominations Of wealth at
the East and for the powerful corporations would
have made the tax intensely gratifying 10 many
voters SO that 1t would have done much TO cheek
the drift of Democratic voters toward the Pop
Mist camr But the lifelong stupidity OF the
Democratic party is manifested again, TO its own
dostrlction in the utter failure of the enactment
to please those whom it was especially intended
TO please.
When the workers find that all the landlords
and great landed estates arc exempt. while the
manufacturing employers and merchants, pro
fessional men and others who pay wages have
their expenses increased by the tax on incomes,
and with that ploa refuse wages formerly paid.
they will learn the folly Of taxing enterprise
when land and idle money cannot be taxed.
When the West and South find that the large
generations and the great landowners escape,
while the farm-owncr who manages TO get $4,000
= wear from his farm has to pay tax, and all
the active and successful business men Of those
sections have that excuse for charging more Tor
their services. disgust for Democratic stupidity
will drive thousands over TO the Populists. Whlle
the more intelligent viii look to the Republican
PARTY for relief The law could not possibly be
in worse shape for the party in power. respects
,eyo.. 1, .1llV IN
case worse if an attempt should now be made,
with incomes from real estate exempt TO force
a decision in favor of the rest OF the tax.
1t is also to be expected that the effects Of the
new tariff will be felt more distinctly little
later than they are now. Thus far American IN
dustres have been making courageous effort
to sustain themselves, even where they had least
hope Of success, and precisely rs The Tribune
predicted before the act passed, this cndcavor 10
meet conditions which are at least less unfavor-
able than those feared while the act was pending
has brought about resumption Of work in many
establishments. But it is TO be expected that
some who are trying 10 meet foreign competition
will fail and that others will find that they can
| continue the fight only by paying lower wages
than their hands will consent 10 receive. No one
| will be surprised If in consequence some cstab-
! lishments suspend operations, ana others refuse
| the wages which hands demand.
The Tribune has not believed that the Demo
cratic policy would suit anybody, even in the
| emasculated form in which 1t is being tried. The
collapse OF the income tax, a source Of revenue
| and as a means OF reaching large incomes, will
| probably intensity public disapproval OF the
party in power, and will weaken it beyond OK
| pectation at the West and South while incrcas-
| ing the hostility with which Eastern manufacture
| Ing States regard the change Of tariff. In the
light Of recent elections, it looks as If the Demo
cratic party could not hope to succeed in single
| Northern State, while the Populist uprising Is
| likely to cost it part OF its electoral strength at
the South The Democratic nomination for the
| Presidency next year will hardly be sought with
zeal by ccarheaded men. unless the Republican
| party cOntrves 10 commit some act OF almost
unimaginabc folly.