New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-22
FOREIGN QUESTIONS AND REJENIE.

Democratic journals are pleased 10 insist upon
needless repetition Of The Trbunc's opinion
olnut the merits of the pending 1arl1 Dill
There is nothing particularly ingenious or Drill
liant in asking questions which everybody KNOWS
Inv, hoon answered nrcady The bill reported
by the Ways and Means Committee of the House
docs NOT seem to be- the best conceivable meas
urc and vet it would do great good. 1t was the
impcrativc duty of the Republicans in that body
to propose something which would not only
supplv "A large increase Of revenue II " sh"uu
become "A law. but would have some chanc" OF
becoming law 1t was necessary to take INTO
account the complications in the Senate, the
personal ambitions and the fencing OF fac'lohS'
and +, devise some measure Of practical use
which might be- passed in body so p'cuii'rl!
embarrassed II was fair 10 presume that the
House committee reported, not what they might
have thought The best bill conceivable. but the
brsi that could in their judgment probably be
passed
Under such circumstances. detailed criticism
of the measure is not in order unless for I'll"
express purpose of preventing any increas" or
revenue If the Senate cannot even pass the
House bin with ali its concessions to various
forms If hesitation or prejudice, ii is likely mat
it would be found impossible even to get To-
ported any better or more consistent Dill II i
therefore entirely unnecessary 10 repeat. iay ny
day. that the House bill is not entirely con
.i>icnt and probably could be much improve"
II doe. some things which Republicans doubtless
consented 10 do only because they were WILING
10 subordinate partisan interests to the need of
increased revenue. and leaves undonc other
things for the same reason. Whether II j.
economically OF politically the wiScSt bill that
could have been proposed Is not now the qucs
rion. Probably il is The only measure 10y which
revenue can h. enlarged this year This need
of a greater revenue does net seem light or
trliilus matter Does any sane man suppose
that the country can 20 on borrowing If ii re-
fuses 10 taNl l. there a sane man who con
.ldcrs il a safe thing To spend weeks In vigorous
assertion ~ the Monroe Doctrine without first
determining whether revenue enough Ia bui!d
one fort or arm one ship can be- ras"dt Inc
course ~ President Cleveland. if he should now
refuse TO permit any increase Of taxation. would
mark him ~ the most sensclrsS ~ all morta>.
50 many questions. foreign and domestic, turn
UPON This one question II revenue 1T present
that al the small tricks II politics really ought
10 bc brushed Indignantly aside until this has
been settled In a happy golucky style. IRE
,pnnsiblc persons trust tha; II any trouble or
emergency should come. Of courS" the United
states could borrow any needed sum But II Is
extremely probable on the contrary. that con
tnuing deficit OF revenue Will soon deprive the
Government of the power of borrowing. Have
people forgotten how Buchanans AdminiSlra-
ton yainly hawkcd about per cent bonds:
The nation which will not raise money enough
10 cover It's expenses either because OF silver
fanatics or Free Traders. Is not entitled 10
credit ard will not long retain H. The worst
phase Of the whole matter Is that there seem 10
be- In the Senate II the United States Sundry
men who are even ready To bankrupt the Nation,
though il were on the threshold of foreign war.
in the hope II forcing II 10 n silver currency.
50 long rs that state OF facts remains. SO long
as the President IN the other hand mulishly re-
fuses 10 increase revenue lest that involve In
creased protection Of home Industries, people
NAV well question whether ii is safe 10 lend to
the United States.