The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-27
Trouble Ahead for the Republicans.

Trouble Ahead for the Republicans.
The republicans are going to have trou-
Bile in their efforts to revise the tariff and
reform the currency. There are great
| differences Of opinion among them in re-
spect to both matters. Some Of them
think an attempt should be made to pass
the Dingley tariff bill during the ap-
preaching session of congress; Others
don't want the Dingley bill, but urge
that an extra session Of congress be call
ed Immediately after March 4, and the
work of revising the tariff on republican
lines be begun. and still others have
doubts whether there can be any tariff
legislation by this or the next congress
One Of the shrewdest of the republican
leaders Is Senator. Quay. In an inter-
view. published in the Morning News yes
terday. he said the Dingley bill should be
taken up as soon as congress meets, and.
if possible, passed. He seems to hold the
opinion that if the present congress re-
fuses to pass the Dingley bill, the next
congress will also refuse to pass it, or
any other tariff bill.
The outlook for either tariff or financial
legislation during this or the next con-
gress is, TO say the least of 1t, not en-
couraging. Senator Jones of Arkansas,
who reached Washington a day or two
ago, says that in his opinion the repub-
licans will find it impossible to get a tar
if measure through this congress or the
next. They will not be able to agree
~,
enue and financial legislation they want,
Senator Jones says. and if they should
agree they couldn't get the measure
agreed upon through the Senate.
1t begins to look as if the republicans
would not get enough out of their vic
tory to make them sure of carrying the
next national election. There are two
things they must do in order to remain in
power longer than four years-they must
provide revenues sufficient to carry on the
government and they must give the coun-
try a currency system that will be more
satisfactory than the present one.
1t is within the bounds of probability
that republican silver senators would vote
with the republican party in support Of
the Dingley bill, but would not vote in
favor of general revision of the tariff
on high protective lines. If this view, on
investigation, should prove to be correct.
it would be a great mistake for the re-
publicans to neglect the Dingley bill
That bill is very Objectionable, but it
is preferable to tariff law such as the
Mckinley republicans would like to have.
1t is so objectional in some respects that
the chances are the President would not
sign it. By it's provisions an additional
duty of 10 per cent. is placed upon arti-
Giles taxed by the Wilson tariff. Nails
are among these articles. The nail manu-
facturers formed trust a year ago, and
put up prices of nails to almost double
what they were. 1t is true the trust
has gone to pieces, but another trust may
soon oe formed. An additional tax of Is
per cent. would aid the formation of an
other trust greatly. There is no need
whatever of duty on nails, because they
can be made at less cost in this country
than in any other.
But, as between two evils. the Dingley
bill is preferable to any tariff law which
the Mckinley republicans would insist
upon having.
The republican leaders appear to under
stand that they must get more revenue
from some source, and also reform the
currency system If they are to stand any
chance of winning the next national cleo
ton. Excuses will not save them from
defeat. The people want results, not ex-
cuses.