Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-29
THE TARIFF.
Recognition that Something Should be Done
This winter to Stop Deficit.

New York Sept. 2S.-One of the most
plausible plans for the solution of the
tariff question is that brought forward
by a coterie of Mayor Strong's friends
prominent in business circles in the
metropolis. They recognize that some
thing must be lone at the coming ses-
sion of Congress to increase the rev.
enues of the government, and provide
It with sufficient funds to meet it's oZ-
penditures. Although they are close
friends of Major Mckinley, they do not
want to see him call a special session
Of Congress Immediately upon lis ac-
cession to the Presidency.
They maintain that tariff -tinkering
initiates against the mercantile world
enough i'll good times; but with the
drastic and dark days incident to the
Cleveland administration and the pres
mt wide discussion of the silver 0ueS-
ton, business is now in such condition
mat If the countrysis yet to be sub
jected to a long siege of of tariff
tinkering-it will be the last straw to
break the camel's back.
Hence Mayor Strong and his friends
are urging a very plausible plan as a
Key to the tariff discussion, and also as
something that will give the business
world a happy issue cut of its trials.
The plan is best elaborated in the
mayors own words:
My idea" said the mayor to a COM
mercial Advertiser representative. lis
10 get the Senate, this winter, to pass
the Dingley bill, which has already
passed the House. / think thai his
can be done, in spite of the fact that
The Senate turned it uown last winter
and reported a free silver substitute.
Conditions have changed very much
since then. If we get through this
ireary silver discussion alive, we don't
want to confront a long siege Of tariff
tinkernig. Business men in both par
ties recognize this fact, and already
they are putting their heads together
ITO avoid such a possible cOnsumma-
lion.
"A special session of Congress would
work great injury to the prospect of pros
perity that already dawns on the business
horizon, in view of Major McKinley's
election. We want to prevent an extra
ordinary session taking place if it's a
possible thing.
Now. the Dingley bill seems to afford
the long-looked-for relief. After the sill
yer men meet their Waterloo next No.
vember. there will be a good chance for
common sense to assert itself, even in
Congress.
II have no doubt whatever that a coal
Ition of hard money Democrats and Re-
can be effected who will COM
mand enough votes to put through the
Dingley bill. At least, this will be the
and wish Of prominent business men
The Dingley bill simply restores the
MCKINLEY tariff, at the same time requir-
ing that only 60 per cent, of is duties be
avoid high tariffs and also a long ana
tdious session of Congress.
-Ihe further plan. which finds favor
among several big men in the city here.
is to hold out the promise to the hard
money Democrats in the Senate that il
allow the Dingley measure to go
in the way of tariff legislation. except to
defects here and there that may
crop our from time to time. And then.
Congress. President Cleveland is to do as
ne did with the Wilson-Gorman measure
let it become "a law without his sigma
ture.
IF you think this plan over you will
see that it has much to commend it. In
The first place, we get rid of high tariffs,
md all the ills incident to perfecting or
to see the old Mckinley law re-
stored in its entirety. All we want Is
revenue to run the government
md such incidental protection as is alb
;olutcly necessary.
IF you figure the cut on duties. as per
he provisions of the lDingley bin. you
speaking. The best OF
WOOL. for example, under the old McKin-
ey law, came in for Il cents. Under the
Dingley bill the tariff would molly be a
little over six cents.
The advantage of the plan advocated
s that 1t removes all obstacles in our
'ath to prosperity. and gives the business
world q much needed rest in which to re-
| am pretty confident that the
lard money Democrats of the Senate will
'ombine with the Republicans to pass
UGH a measure over the heads of the
silver senators. rather than
'lunge the country into a long extra SEES
ion of Congress whose whole tim, will
e taken up with tariff-tinkering."