The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-30
Give Them a CHANGE.


We are not sure that the methods which
the republicans viii adopt to restore pros
perity TO the country viii be good ones
We are inclined to think they win not
be. The republicans seem to think the
only thing necessary to make business
boom is high protective tariff. A tariff
of that sort would have tendency TO
coniine our manufacturers to the home
market. In our opinion, the kind Of
tariff needed is one that would enable our
manufacturers to find market for their
products in other countries. Then they
would have plenty of work for their OPP
eratives, and, besides, they would bring
money into the country. Still, we are not
disposed to criticise the republicans until,
having had chance to carry into effect
their policies they fail to bring about bet
ter times
We think Mr.. Bryan ought to be will
ling for them to have a chance to keep
their promises His remarks at the ban
quet given in his honor on Monday night
at Lincoln, Neb., by the Lincoln TRAY
cling Mems Bryan Club seem to indicate
that he would be glad if they failed to
fulfill their promises in respect to better
times. Among other things, he said: THE
republicans have promised to restore nor
NAL conditions without increasing the
volume of currency. What they may do
hereafter remains to be seen, but it is
evident that they have thus far failed to
bring relief to the people"
In what way does Mr.. Bryan expect the
republicans to bring relief to the people,
before they have taken charge of the gov
ernment? AS Yet the new congress and
the new administration have not had "a
chance to do anything 1t will be more
than two months yet before Mr.. Mckinley
will be inaugurated, and three months
probably, if an extra session of congress
should be called, before the republicans
will be able to indicate clearly what their
plans for restoring prosperity are.
While the average citizen is at liberty to
criticise the government and political par
ties pretty much as he pleases without
attracting much attention, Mr.. Bryan can
not do so. He occupies a position which
requires him to keep in touch with rea-
son and facts. Otherwise he runs the risk
of being charged with demagogism. In
saying that the republican party has not
yet afforded the country any relief he let
it be understood that he believes that it
has had not only the opportunity. but the
time to bring relief. 1t is doubtful if he
could show it has had either the time or
the opportunity.
The whole country is, of course, impa-
tient for better times. But from the very
nature of things the coming of prosperity
must be slow. There must be apparent a
need for more railroads before there will
be activity in railroad building, and there
must be activity in railroad building be-
fore the steel rail mills will be worked
on full time We mention railroad build
ing as only one of the factors in better
times, and what is true with regard to
IL is true in respect to many other things
We do not know that a better financial
system would greatly hasten the coming
of prosperity, but we are sure that it
would greatly lessen existing discomfort.
1t seems to us that it would be the wiser
plan to give attention at the earliest prac-
teal moment to the reforming of the cur
rency. All the additional revenue needed
could be raised by tax on sugar or beer,
and the framing of high protection bill
could be done leisurely, If the republicans
insist upon having high protective tariff.
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