New-York tribune., 1896-11-23
TARIFF REVISION.
THE DINGLEY BILL Is NOT LIKELY TO
BE PASSED.

/
TARIFF QUESTION SETTLED DEFINrrIvELY
BY THE LvTH coNGREss-A MoDER
ATE MEASURE LOOKED FOR.
Canton. Nov. ~ (SpecaD-A more command
ing question and one Of infinitely wider range
than that of the personnel of the President elects
Cabinet is the tariff ard financial policy likely
to be pursued by the new Administration. The
appointment of the Cabinet interests politicians
keenly but the discussion OF the probable reve-
nue. law appeals To every commercial centre ana
Industrial enterprise in the country which Is
effected either directly or indirectly by the rais-
ing or lowering Of import duties.
There have been great many Members OF
Congress in Canton during the last three or
four weeks. and there will be an even larger
number before Congress convenes in December
Members stopping to see the President-elect
for the purpose OF discussing with him the pro-
posed tariff ana revenue legislation. There has
been a free interchange Of ideas and informa-
tion ION this subject. and the concensus OF opin-
ion is that the short session Of the present Con-
gress will be unable to cope in a satisfactory
way with the tariff question 1t Is argued that
while the gold Democrats might support the
Dingley Tariff bill. and while President CleVe-
land might possibly sign 1t. it would. at best
be n makeshift and would not bring the coun-
try any nearer to a final settlement OF the tarifr
question. The Republican party is pledged to
a revision of the tariff and it proposes to make
this pledge good Major McKney's many
friends in Congress. most Of whom have either
visited him or have expressed themselves on
the subject are convinced IN the main that the
Dingley bin will not meet the requirements OF
the situation and believe that an extra ses-
sion Of Congress will have to be called
The plan that seems to be- formulating Itself
In the minds Of many Congressman VINO come
here Is to have extra session or Congress-
which shall be devoted entirely to the consid-
Grafton OF a new tariff bill. drafted along pro-
lection lines There will be disposition to
make the extra session long one, and it Is al
together improbable that extended hearings Will
be given to the representatives, Of the various
Industries Of the country. These Industries have
made their arguments and have marshalled
their statistics and facts time and again before
I Committees on Ways and Mears. and 1t would
be "A waste Of time. trial of patience and
menace to the business of the country for Con-
gress to go into anything like a general rehear-
ing and reopening OF these old discussions.
The now Congress. within period OF three
months or less. should be able to draft. report.
discuss and pass satisfactory protective tarin
bill
40 EXTREME MEASURE EXPECTED.
There is no reason to think that the Repub-
Leans in Congr, - will try to pass an extreme
measure ON the oth'r hand there is every
reason 10 believe that spirit Of fairness and
COMPROMISE will animate those who are charged
with the work Of preparing and reporting new
hIi II VIII h- the aim OF the leading Repub-
leans 10 make the tarn bill so thorough. so
ADEQUATE 50 satisfactory that. with slight re-
vision from time 10 time. the people Will be
,cilllng 10 regard II as a final settlement OF the
question. and will come to look upon II as
means II having practically lifted the tarin
from the plane of current politics. II an extra
session should hc called and tariff bill prompt
L. uas.ed IL would be in operation more than
4, ye., before the next Congress elections. ana
the country would have an opportunity. before
uasslng Judgment upon 1t at the polls to View
il calmly and with the knowledg' OF its prac-
teal working and cfiiciency.
II on the other hand. the Dlngley bill should
h. passed as temporary measure and re-
vision Of the tariff bc undertaken at the first
regular session OF the new Congress. the tariif
wonld remain an open ahd unsettled question,
and The business OF the country would be To n
considerable extent disturbed by H. The new
Congress at it's regular session. could not hope.
with IN. mass Of other business pressing upon
n
r.nths In that case the new measure would
go into orec; but snort time before the Con-
eress elections. and it Is extremely probable
tho, thcre would b. a hastv verdict against II
that the RepubiIcans would lose the House. and
IN. whole question would be thrown over for
readiustmcnt and discussion to the next Con-
ctess. thus keeping the business men OF the
country harasscd with uncertainty ana doupts
for another period Of four years.
Unless events occur between now and March
4 to change considerably the existing situation.
it seems safe to prophesy that the Dingley bill
will not b, passed. and that there VIII be an
extra session OF Congre ~
CABINET POSSIBILITIES.
Discussion Of Cabinet possibilities has by no
means abated. 1t is evident TO those who are
brought into contact with Major Mckinney that
he IL not disposed to make undue haste. and
that he will take his own time Tor the TASK
Of organizing his Administration. Major Nc
Kinley realizes fully the magnitude of the re-
sronsibity and the labor which confront him.
and is in no wise disco iraged by the outlook.
He probably has larger acquaintance among
roliticians and business men than any man
who has hcen called to tho Presidency since
the war His long experience on the Ways and
Means Committee brought him into contact
with manufacturers. merchants ana importers
from many parts of the country. ana MS sue
cossrul nublic career has given him an oppor-
,,,f,v to estimate To a nicely the political,
moral and mental worth of most men VINO are
prominent in politics In the United states The
cabinet is to be bIilt up around TWO important
,nsi,inns that Of Secretary Of the Treasury and
Secretary of state. When Major Mckinney mas
selected men to fill these places he VIII nave
made tn. real start in the organization OF ms
cabinet and until these places are hlled Specu-
lation upon the less important positions Is 'he
nimsest sort Of guesswDlk go ,
The Secratay of the Treasury Will doubtless
hc chosen from the West. That Is almost ira
dition At present. Mr. Hanna may not be
eIigib. to the office Of Secretary OF the Treas
,,r~ for the reason that II statute of the United
states makes II impossible for person en-
IN. t.ir,,. nl q u flrelgn