New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-27
THE TARIFF BILL DEFEATED.


The Tariff bill has been defeated by five Sen
ators, elected as Republicans helping the Demo
Gratis and Populists. Mr.. Cannon, of Utah, joins
Messrs Teller, Carter. Dubois and Mantle in
their warfare against Republican principles.
Every man Of honorable instincts feels that ii
would be indecent, after such an act, for either
Of them to enter a Republican convention or
committee, or to ask recognition anywhere as a
Republican, Senator Teller departs far from
the truth in saying that he has been read out of
the Republican party. His acts have put him
out of it. 1t was meant as insolcnce, but was
confession. when he passionately declared that
he would stay in the Republican party rs long as
he pleased and go out of 1t when he got ready.
The man who is getting ready 10 60 has already
gone Loyalty to party and its principles Is not
a matter of words but Of acts. When Benedict
Arnold conspired to deliver up an American fort
TO the British he had become n traitor TO his
country before he fled to British lines. 1t was
wholly scnseless then to urge on his behalf that
he had rendered great service in the past What
the silver men have been and done heretofore
does not in the least alter the character Of their
acts to-day.
Only five of the sixteen Senators who signed
meant it as a threat to defeat the Republican
party until they are allowed to dictate its finan'
cial policy. The five are enough in this Con
grcsS. but it is gratifying TO the friends OF the
rest that they have not in like manner proved
false to their duties and their principles rs Re
publicans The issue is now forced upon the
coming National Convention. If it allows The
silver boilers TO dictate either platform or can
didates it must face defeat in the Northern
States. where Protection is far too strong to
tolerate any such betrayal. These States have
more than majority Of the electoral votes. ana
the convention will have before II complete and
certain victory if ii fearlessy and faithfully
represents the wishes Of those States. The sill
yer States have in all thirty-six electoral votes,
but the only Senators who make war on Protec-
ton in order TO coerce the Republican party
represent the three electoral votes Of Montana
with Colorado, Idaho and Utah, having ten
electoral votes. equally divided.
The convention will be urged to trick and
palter in its declaration Of purpose. and to dcker
in its selection Of candidates, on the ground that
all the thirtysix electoral votes of silver States
nav be lost if it does not. But it is not true that
the people Of all these States are ready to sacri
flee protection of their Industries by defeating
Republican candidates. Even IL it were. III,
convention would still have no choice. 1t cannot
hid defiance to the convictions Of more than hall
the party by yielding to the dictaton of less than
q tenth OF it, Nor will II be Of any use 10 assert
that silver Senators will avenge themselves by
defeating Protection in the next Congress also
They will not have the power. After the elec
ton they will have to choose between beaten
Democrats and Popusts and victorious party
Of Protection. with their own constituents I'M
peratively demanding protective duties
1t IS the chronic vice Of Washington that il
tries TO compromise everything There VIII DC
all sorts Of schemes proposed within the nex'
two months for satisfying the silver boilers
But the declaration that there shall be no protec
ton Of home industries until there is free coinage
OF silver raises an issue which cannot be com
promised The act Of men who defeat the lie
| publican party In order to force upon 1t their in
| diyidual will leaves no room for any course cX
| cent an impossible surrender or their complete
overthrow The public demand for Protection
will not be weaker, but UNNECESSARILY stronger
and more imperative for this reverse, and IL
| extent and intensity will measure the hostility
toward the men elected as Republicans who
have turned against their principles. and denied
TO American Industries the help 50 sOrcly needed