The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-03
PARALLELS.

some OF them are Instructive, The Dem
ocratic party, after its phenomenal sue
cess in 1892 upon a specific platform as TO
the tariff, fell down" lamentably with
it's legislation on the subject, and not
only brought about its own disruption and
defeat. but bcqueathed to the country tho
present heritage of woe. The Republl-
can party has been returned to power
upon quite as specific purposes as to the
tariff, and now confronts the choice of
carrying out its promises and instruc-
tions, or violating them and plunging with
q good deal of certainty to the deuce.
Which course will 1t take?
The tariff plank of the Democratic
platform adopted in 1892 called for an anti
pro section revision of the Mckinley tariff
law. Protection was denounced as the
sum of all economic evils. The Democra-
cy, If restored to power, would root II
out, and give the country low tariff law
instead. The Democracy won. But with
what result? The platform was violated
in the most open manner. A new tariff
bill stuffed with protection-only the
rates were wretchedly bungled-was
brought in and propped up by provision
for an income tax. Nothing had been
heard of an income tax in the national
campaign, but here It was, and those in
charge of the bill gave congress the
choice between accepting the bill with
Congress swallowed the dose, the Su-
preme court knocked out the income tax
and the tariff bill as a revenue producer
collapsed. Having been constructed to
carry the income tax, it could not meet
the ends expected without 1t.
The tariff plank of last years Republi
can platform called for revision of the
German Wilson bill which would accord
ample protection to American labor and
all American industries. That, II was in
sisted, would give the government plenty
of money to live on, and at the same time
revive business and prosperity. The Re
publicans, upon this proposition, won, and
the House of Representatives passed
tariff bill which fully and properly re-
deemed the pledge upon which the party
had been returned to power That bill
carried revenue enough to support the
government. and adequate protection to
American labor and to American indus
tries. But a subcommittee OF the senate
finance committee has taken this bill, and
by cutting down the protection rates in
many of the schedules made room for an
additional tax on beer, additional faVors
for the Sugar Trust and tax on tea.
Without those features 1t Is estimated
that the bill as amended will not yield
revenue enough by from thirty to nifty
millions. So that this subcommittee of
the senate is holding the senate UP with
the threat that the choice is between the
amended bill or nothing.
Does any Republican senator believe
that If last years campaign had been
made on the basis of the amended Dngley
bill the Republican party would have won,
even against free silver? Who heard.
then, anything about an additional tax on
beer or additional favors for the Sugar
Trust. or about an invasion of the free
breakfast table" which, for years, has
been the boast of the Republican party?
The fight was won on increased protec-
| tion, and not on increased internal reve-
nue., and any hugger-mugger which sue
ceeds now in changing that will cost the
Republican party, deservedly, the respect
| of the country.