The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-11-28
THE TARIFF IN THE SENATE.
Prospects of tho Passage OF tho Dingley
Bill.

Prospects of the Passage of tho DinSley
The people have declared by popu-
lar plurality of nearly million votes
that they do not regard the free coinage
of silver as safe experiment. By the
same overwhelming verdict it is fair to
assume that they emphatically re-
pudiated the customs act which is now
in force and which has failed to yield
adequate revenues for the support of
the government.
The question that is absorbing the
attention of the people more than the
formation of President McKinley's
cabinet, is: Will the silver senators in
the Fifty-fourth congress heed the
verdict of the nation and refrain from
offering any distractions to the popu-
lar will? In the event of an effort to
replenish the depleted treasury by the
enactment of the Dingley tariff bill,
will they resume their former tactics
and load it down with free silver
rider?
The condition of the revenues is worse
than it was year ago. The deficit for
the first four months and ten days of
the current fiscal year amounts in
round figures to $37,eO0,O 900, and for the
first ten days of November to about ST.
100000. The inflow of foreign gold and
the release of gold hoardings at home
as a result of the election have swelled
the treasury gold reserve some $20,000,-
900 above legal requirements, but this
condition may change at any time, and
the available cash in the treasury is
subject to constant drain. The Ding
Icy bill which was passed by the house
last December and buried under free
coinage amendments in the senate was
designed as n temporary eSpcdient to
meet pressing emergencies and pre-
vent the constantly recurring deficits.
1t was estimated that il would add at
least $3o,0oo,0oo year to the revenues
while it was in force, the time for it's
expiration being fixed for August /,
1898.
Opinions differ as To the ability of the
Fifty-fourth congress to pass the Ding
ley bill at the coming session in De-
cember. Congressman Dingley and
many other republicans have little faith
in the disposition Of the free silver soma
tors to accept the results of the popular
verdict registered on November 3, and
do not hope for remedial legislation Of
this character until President Mckinley
calls an extra session of the Fifty-fifth
congress in March.
~ ~
couraging nature comes from many OF
the free silver senators themselves.
Senators Carter, of Montana; Clark and
Warren, of Wyoming; Brown, of Utah.
and Perkins, of California, announce
that they will not favor any obstruc-
ton methods in the interest of free
coinage, and express their belief that
Of way. Congressman Newlands, OF
Nevada, also urges prompt action on
the tariff separate from currency legis-
lation.
In view OF this attitude of the lead
ing champions of silver it would APP
pear to be the duty of the Fifty-fourth
congress to make an honest and patri-
ptiS GNU w IIuSS 'hN i'ihSi'y
bill, which would obviatc the necessity
for the disturbance of the business OF
the country which would be incident to
n prolonged discussion of n tariff in an
extra session in March. Independent of
the action of the Fifty-fourth congress,
however, there is undoubtedly a strong
sentiment among the people in favor of
session of the new congress immedi-
ately after the Inauguration Of Presi-
dent Mckinley.
After marvellous campaign of edu-
cation the people have declared for GER
tain economic policies. There is no rea-
son why the adoption of these policies
should be delayed until December, 1897.
Considerations of trade and industry
demand that the tariff question be set
tied as quickly as possible. The st.
Louis platform demands a settlement
Of this question along protection lines
and then "a rest" for the country.
In the event Of failure to pass the
Dingley bill the only way to secure a
prompt settlement of the revenue ques-
ton is to call an extra session of con-
gress to convene on March4. Any delay
is detrimental to the business interests
Of the country.-Chicago Times-Her-
aid.