New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-19

u,Ivorsallv recognized as the one man or all pest
orsl6ed 70 frame the new tariff law. which 1t
seemed desirable to enact when the Republicans
resumed ful! contro, of the Government In 1881
He was appointed chairman of the ways ana
Means COMMITTEE. and presently gave 10 the Ma
ton the great measure which bears his name Oi
his work in connection with IL he speaks molestly
II was chairman Of the committee. ne says
and performed my duties as best could Ihat
is all Some Of the strongest men IN Congress were
on the committee. and the eight OF us heard every
bo5v considered everything. and made up the
best tariff law we knew how 10 frame" Envous
rivals and INSCRIPTIONS foes have sought to be-
little his fame by declaring that it was not his bill
a, all that IL was really framed by others, and
that his connection with il was purely accidental
To no intelligent reader Of the history Of the time
can II be necessary to spend much space In refut-
ing that stupid calumny. Mckinley was the
author and fnisher OF that bill. He conceived It's
general principles. He gave countless days and
nights OF study and OF toll T. the elaboration Of
It's details BY his unsurpassed leadership he Sc
cured its adoption by the House without resort
ing to n party caucus-an unprecedented achieve
ment He bore the brunt OF the hostile criticism
which was heapeG upon the law by the free trad
ers of Great Britain and their obsequious vassals
here To him. and 10 him alone are due the honor
and the fame which the better Judgment OF the
world has awarded to the author OF that historic
measure.
II is not needfu In this place to enter into
detailed exposition OF the provisions and effects
OF the Mckinley bill. The Nation knows them
The Nation knows that II took the tax from some
OF the chief necessities Of life; that II stimulated
old Industries and called new ones of vast mag
nitude into prosperous existence; that II greatly
extended, by wise system OF reciprocity the
foreign commerce OF the country; that II PROVIDED
means for conducting the Government ana Tor
keeping the financial credit of the Nation unlm-
paired These the facts now abundantly
recognized beyond all challenge. We may quote
as absolutely true the words spoken by MI NC
Klnley himself at the time when the measure
was repealed and the present Democratic prod
uct Of "perhdy and dishonor' foisted into its
place:
The law of 1890 was enacted for the American
people and the American home Whatever MS
takes were made In IL were all made III faNor OF
the occupations and the tiresides OF the American
people II didn't take away "A single days work
from a solitary American workingman II gave
work and wages to ALL such as they had never
had before II did II by establishing new ana
great Industries in this country. which Increased
the demand for the skill and handiwork OF our
laborers everywhere. II had no friends In Eu-
rope 1t gave their industries no stimulus. II
gave no employment to their labor at the ex-
pense OF our own
During more than two years OF the Admins
tration OF President Harrison. and down 10 It's
end Il raised all the revenue necessary TO pay
the vast expenditures OF the Government lnclud-
ing the interest on the public debt and the PEN
siors Ii never encroached upon the gold re-
serve which in the past had always been sacred
ly preserved for the redemption OF outstanding
paper obligations OF the Government.
During all OF It's operations down to the
change and reversal OF ito policy by the election
OF 1882 no man can assert that In the industries
affected by 1t wages were too high, although
they were higher than ever before In this or any
other country II any such can be found beg
that they be named. challenge the enemies OF
the law OF 1890 TO name single Industry OF
that kind Further. assert that In the indus
tries affected by that law. which that law fos-
tered no American consumer suffered by the
increased cost OF any home products that he
bought He never bought them so low before. nor
did he ever enjoy the benefit Of much open.
free home competition Neither producer nor
consumer employer or employe. suffered by that