New-York tribune., 1896-01-16
THE PESpONSJRIITTY TOR TROUBLE

THE RESPONSIBILITY IOR 1ROt BLE.
Responsibility is often so widely distributed
under our form of government that individuals
are not made TO feel their errors or misdeeds
But things are getting into such shape that
very few individuals will be held directly and
personally responsible for financial industrial
and political consequences. at least for some
time TO come President Cleveland, for what he
has done and is doing, Is about the only man or
his party upon whom such responsibility dis
tinctly rests. although Senator German OF That
side may soon come TO share ii if. purely FOR
partisan reasons, he refuses 10 cause blll III
creasing revenue to be reported, and assists
free-Sver Senators in their stand and deliver
performances Mr. German rather than any
other Democrat of the Senate is mentioned. be-
cause he has sense enough to know that the
question is actually one Of revenue, because the
act of 1894 was at no time the sort Of measure
he thought ought to be passed, and because,
representing an Eastern and manufacturing
State he knows what lis consequences nave
been in some measure. Senators Jones and
Teller are the other Two most directly respon-
sible. for reasons which they entirely under
stand
It is only too obvious that the business OF the
fact there were great hopes during the latter
part Of 1899 that the setback then so apparent
would cease with the holiday vacation. that the
long delay OF buyers would by that time have
exhausted their stocks and compelled them 10
act and that the vigor Of the House would he
in some degree initiated by the Senate so that
action on remedial measures could be reached
early in the year Every competent trade re-
Z, ff,.,.. h.,,..
been disappointed The mcnacing tone OF the
Venezuela message and the hystercal appear
about the finances which followed were In part
causes and it soon became known that the Bona
bill could not pass the Senate. But with prompt
increase of revenue and checking or imports
there would be no real need of borrowing, ana
if any such need should appear, the moderate
amount would suffice which banks and trust
companies are now ready TO pay for bonds
The responsibility rests mainly with those who
have delayed and do delay the increase of reve-
nue. The Presidents share in the responsibility
is great because in his annual message ana
since he has been guilty Of the assertion that
the revenue was not deficient and need not be
increased If he has changed his mind by tins
time as he well might have, in view Of the facts
developed since his Venezuela message was de
livered ii would be most patriotic for him TO
make the fact known. because IT would influence
enough Democrats in the Senate to make action
easy In truth. the President must be aware
that II would be the height Of folly TO 90 on
messing lust claims which a powerful foreign
nation may oppose. though we continue unable 10
prepare seacoasts for defence or Navy for most
efficient service because the expenditures IN
fourteen DAYS Of January were Sl9.4l3.OoO. ana
the entire receipts were only Sl2.S3I.'ls, show
ing deficit of SG5155 800 in less than half
month.
But II the President would be entirely mex
cusabe in case he should refuse TO permit in
crease Of revenue. If his conduct In that event
would be so papably unpatriotic and hostile 70
National interests that it ought to leave him
not a respectable apologist. what can be said or
the two Senators who could pass revenue bill
In forty-cght hours If they chose, and who have
for many years so steadily upheld the protection
of home industry that II is not possible to qucS
tion their honest convictions on that subject?
If they know, as they must. that the encourage
mcnt Of foreign mporiations and the depression
of home industries by excessive competition are
the root of trouble, and if they know, as they
certainly do, that the Treasury Is at this time
absolutely in need Of larger revenue, which II Is
palpably unpatrotc to refuse what Is to be
the public Judgment of those Senators?