New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-03
TARIFF REVISION.

The party which undertakes to stand as cham
nion Of American industries must keep step with
them. That they are advancing with great
bounds the whole world Of industry knows. The
politician who does not know it, and has not the
practical knowledge and the courage to Keep his
plan Of legislation in line with the actual needs
of the Nation. deserves Il loss Of confidence when
he will no, escape Thus the severest burden
which the Republican party has had 10 Dear
since the tariff Of 1890 was enacted arose from
the inability Of certain Senators to grasp Inc
fact that sugar refining had advanced so far
that il needed no protection. and hld 1oriheu
such IN alliance against American consumers
that il deserved none The worst offence OF the
last Democratic Congress was Il crime know
ing the dement, and the power Of that conDiha-
tiop il deliberately bought votes Tor the new
tariff by surrcDderng TO II millions from the
Treasury. and many millions more from the
pockets Of consumers
II is plain that the tariff question Will De ID"
controlling one in the next great contest. 1"
meet il with the success they ought TO achieve
Republican leaders Of thought and action must
be- prepared so 10 shape their efforts and thelr
education Of public opinion as 10 ut astonishing
changes in industrial development. II VIII con
denim a man rs unfit for power If he Is foihu
advocating particular duties merely because
they were. wise in 1890. If the facts have radi-
callv changed So other duties when seemed
questionable or entirely unwise then nave Deei
SO strikinsly vindicacd by their results that
man woull prove himself unfit for power II he
did NOT recognize the change. There is 10 be
,imc for careful inquiry. which ought 10 20 into
the details Of particular Industries TREMENDOUS
revolutions in modes Of production nave o.
CURED in part because of the ex'rem" 'coho
mics enforced by the prOstraiion of ls"' anu
these teach lessons which no Republican leader
can afford to overlook.
II is not the purpose here 10 point ont duties
which ought 10 be- raised. or others which onshl
10 be reduced The aim is 10 call the attention
Of Republican leaders Of every grade ana kiild
In the press in the caucus OF council anu III ION
grcss TO the necessity Of studying new cOnd
lions In order that they may he prepared To meet
,hem with success The multiplication of com
binations for the control OF markets and the re-
strcton Of output is one Of those conditions.
because such combinations have graspcd or
Threatened 10 grasp the resources Of the people
, I'm WAYS and to an extent never before known.
Some are controlled by workers only. and seek
by EMPLOYERS an seek monopoly OF supplies.
The attitude " the Republican party ana OF us
National policy oi Protection toward AL such
combinations rs affecting the results or It's policy
needs to be carefully reviewed in the light Of
recent events.
One thing can be- predicted with safety. The
tariff Of pcrf1y and dishonor, which was neither
desired nor treated with respect by any OF the
men who framed II, will not stand. When Re
publicans have the power 10 change II, mat
tariff will be changed, and II makes not me
slightest difference whether individuals VINO she
ccclcd in buying especial favors from I'll" authors
Of the Bill Of Sale prefer a revision or not Nor"
than thrcequari"rs Of The people realize that this
tariff was not honestly nor nielgenily framed
and they therefore rightly demand that their
representatives. as soon as they have the power
to do So shall proceed to substitute tariff which
will raise adequate revenue. tarln when
will afford ample protection to American minus
tries, and tariff which Will not be packed
from end TO end with iniquitous favors sold
'to favored nOnoDolics for the votes they con-
troll
The task Of revision under such circumstances,
will require especial study Of details, large
knowledge and much courage. 1t is work for
the kind Of who framed the act OF lo'"'
but for men with full knowledge OF the mar
vcllOus changes which have come since 'ha'
! brave and wise act was framed. the KcpnD-
lican leader who would not be found hacking
when that task comes has need OF much fearless
ness and independent inquiry. much carcini ex-
animation Of the condition Of labor az ancc'ed
by the changes in tariff In 1884, ana extensive
! knowledge OF the revolution In cost ana modes
Of production which the last five years nave
| brought.