The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-23
Is Still the Issue.


President Roberts recent remark
that "the business world does not want
10 see the tariff question opened up
again for years" imDclSThe Manufac-
turer to inquire to what particular
business wOrld' he refers, whether ito
the business world Of England. which
would indeed rejoice to have his de-
mand met, or to the business world
largely composed of the American
manufacturers who. in $780, produced
material to the value of $500 million
dollars?" Claiming a right to speak
for the latter class. The Manufacturer
AYERS that there ARE not 10 per cent.
Of them who do not wish to have the
tariff question opened up in the coming
campaign and the Wilson tariff torn to
shreds In an extra session of congress
called for March s, 1897. And not only
Is this the hope and expectation OF the
manufacturers themselves; all the in
dications are that 1t is the eager desire
of majority of the American people"
One year ago such an assertion would
have seemed almost without vestige
of warrant; today 1t Is probably true.
Public opinion has changed rapidly on
this subject. under the stimulus of
practical experience. 1t Is perceived.
after all, that the tariff question cam
not with safety be regarded as settled
until 1t Is settled correctly, and that the
worse the consequences of renewed
tariff agitation, the more important ii
is that these shall be haZarded bravely,
for the last time, so that thereafter the
business world may enjoy uninter-
rupted peace and rest. The very evil
dent drift of the people toward McKin-
ley In connection with the presidential
canvass can have no other meaning
than that the people want the McKin-
ley kind of tariff back again--if not
the whole letter Of the law that bore
his name, then at least its spirit. With
public sentiment thus insistent for pro-
lection that protects and for revenue
that pays current expenses, there can
be no just doubt as to the probability
of speedy reopening Of the tariff
question.
There Is consolation, however. in the
circumstance that such reOpening,
under Republican auspices, will not be
likely to imDart to trade the uncer-
tainty which trade felt prior to the en-
actment of the indeterminate Wilson
bill. In 1899 and 1893. the Democratic
tariff policy was altogether a matter of
conjecture. No two Democrats were
agreed as to how far their party should
go. The president and the Democratic
majority in the house wanted one thing;
the senate wanted another. Neither
was satisfied with the others work,
and the result was that while these
tariff reform doctors were thus quar-
reling among themselves the expect
ant world of business very naturally
took alright and thereby laid the
foundations of the subsequent panic.
Next year, however, when a Republi-
can congress and president approach
the task of tariff revision, they will be
neither divided as to what they want
to do nor inexperienced in the manner
of doing 1t. On the contrary. they will
take hold promptly, move confidently
and get through without friction or
delay. The business interests of the
country will this time not be scared be-
cause, from past experience with Re-
publican tariff legislation, they will
know precisely what to expect. They
will know that they had prosperity be-
fore under Republican administration,
and the very knowledge will tranquil
ize them into a receptive mood for
prosperity's return.