The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-17
THE TARIFF BILL.

There may be some excuse for the Pop
uiists OF the United States senate for sac
riicing everything upon the altar OF their
present fetish. but for tho unpatriotic Re
publicans who are throttiing the party In
order to curry favor with a noisy few OF
their constituents there should be no
mercy shown when the day OF reckoning
comes The silver bill has been passed by
the senate; there is no justification what
ever for insisting unon another copy of the
Same bill being substituted for the tariff
bill. and the Republicans who vote for II
know fun well that the bill cannot be
passed by the house of representatives,
which. having come 50 recently from the
people. IS satisfied that the great majority
OF the people OF this country want re-
vised tariff first and above all things.
Every one OF these senator's knows that
the government is In urgent need OF reve-
nue. for purposes of national defense In adj
diticn 20 It's ordinary expenses. They real
ize that In less than a year and n half the
wretched Wilson tarir has caused dehei,
of moro than szS,eoaoca. every dollar OF
which must ultimately be made good from
the peoples pockets. They understand also
that the protective duties on wool which
the house bin imposes would immensely
benefit Western farmers. and are favored
by large majority OF their own agrioul-
tural constituents. Yet they are wIllfully
killing of the measure OF relief I'm a stub
born and. as they know. futile attempt 10
force the silver bill. ropuiists make no
secret or their belief that II iz not protee-
tior, but free silver which VIII turn the
tide OF commerce In our favor. bring ts an
influx OF foreign capital. restore confidence
in the wisdom OF cur statesmen and the
stability OF our financial institutions, but
Republicans do not believe this, A man
who does believe II may can himself a
Republican. hut he differs from his party
upon the only important living issue. and
Il Is not easy 10 see why he remains NTH a
party with which he Is in such antagonlsn
except FOR the hope OF office.
Unfortunately there are enough OF ,hese
turncoats. who use principles as stepping
stones to power. and plant their muddy
feet upon the most sacred Interests 81 the
reople-eaough Of them In the senate TO
enable the SIX ropaiis,s To defy the entire
Republican party with the thirty-nin.
Democrats ana the six Popuilsts united
ssains; the revenue bill. II would be beaten
by one vote even II all the forty-four Re-
ruhncAns voted for Il. A. there are at
least half dozen senator's On the Repuhli-
can side who are Republicans IN name only
and DO not hesitate 20 stab RepubiicAafsm
whenever they think they see n chance 20
advance tree coinage. Il - svfaent that tire
prospects OF obtaining q solid Rsrabllcsn
vets for the hili are exceedingly dark. The
eniy hore OF the measure "a n the roSsi-
tlity that some Of the Sound money
Democrats viii refuse TO stui,ify ,heEsl-
selves by voting fer = degraded dollar in
order to KIN II.
The fear IL tAst ths Democrats will no,
abandon their cwn policy Of free trade IN
order 20 help the Republicans Win creal,
by passing a measure which viii bring a;
least = temporary relief 20 the industrial
Interests q the ccantvy No FREE traaer
can Re convinced that Il IS 20 ths eventual
asvantsre ct the country 60 return % .
higher tariff. he admits thar times must
re duh ara business unsettled en.E th-
methods OF trade adjust themselves % ,hs
low tariff conditions.
The blame for failure 10 pass promptly
hin which win AT least be for reSenus'
must fan upon tie Republicans who are
directly and specially informed OF enc VII
OF ths people ~ TIE last slesioa- EnsgSh