Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-29
TARIFE HEARINGS.

The House Committee on Ways and
Means yesterday began their hearings
as 10 the proposed changes in the tariff.
This was the beginning. For months
this sort Of thing will be going on in
the House committee. And when the
Congress is called into extra session.
after the Inauguration of Mr.. Mckinley.
there will be further hearings before
the new committee. Then the bill will
be reported. Then there will be a de-
bate in the House and the bill Will be
passed.
Then the bill will be communicated 70
the Senate. Then there viii be more
hearings before the Senate committee,
and in the leisurely fashion customary
with senator's We suppose the bin will
then be reported with amendments. Then,
after some delay, the Senate will pro-
coed to discuss the bill; but. inasmuch
as il has 10 rule enabling a majority to
cut off debat~ Heaven only knows how
long it will take it 10 dispose Of the bill.
Nor. indeed. can any ono now say with
certainty that such q bin as the Repub-
Means o. the AlDWNt MONlA 4ANtA NDAA.A
pass the Senate At the present mo
ment il would seem more than doubtful
If The Republicans will have senators
enough 10 pass their hish-tariff, trust
protecting bill. But. should they pass it,
they would pass il with amendments, 9nd
q committee Of conference might be ne
cessary TO adjust the differences Of the
,r,n~..
time, and prolong the agitation into the
late summer Meanwhile. the country is
asked to await patiently" this tedious
procedure. 1t Will have to wait-there's
no help for that-but it will not do so
patiently.
This is by no means cheering pros
,ect; but no one can safely say that it is
not what we must expect Furthermore,
while all of the manufacturers who wish
import duties increased are 10 be heard
before the House and Senate commit
tees. we know of no organized effort by
which the masses Of the people-the con-
sumers-are to be heard. Now and then
a representative consumer may drop in
and ask TO speak in opposition 10 some
rroposed schedule, but the great body
Of the people will not be- heard from at
all. But it will be said doubtless that
The consumers will be represented by
their congressman. This IS a theory, not
a condition. Certainly. 50 far as the
House is concerned. the Republican mem
bers have been elected with the aid Of
money put into their hands by Hannas
agents. Most Of this money came from
protected manufacturers. The members
in question knew this when they received
laid" and also knew what was expected
OF them; and the result viii be that the
majority will vote for whatever tariff
iii Mr. Hanna approves.
Further, Mr.. Hanna is now engaged in
trying 10 capture new senators. He thus
hopes 10 have both hol IS under his con-
trol. With the vast sum that he will
have in hand for this purpose and juds-
Inc by the success that attended his use
OF money in the last campaign, he will
probably be able TO pass such bin as
be wishes to pass
This may not De n very encouraging
prospect for the country at large; but If
f. Is 70 be. the sooner the better. Bad
as Hanna's schemes are. they can scarce
IS prove worse for the people than an
Other protracted period Of agitation and
uncertainty.
But the odd thing about all this is that
many lOw-tafin or frec-trade men helped
10 put Hanna in the position whore he
now S. and where he IS now able. or,
OF least. hopes 10 be able, 10 dictate
The tariN policy Of the country