New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-05
TIE SLOW IMPROVEMENT.

Many nersons sincerely feel and others express
more or less insincerely, disappointment because
rho Improvement in business expected 10 result
from Renublican success does not come fuiIy anu
nj once. II is quite true that the hopes OF
coming change in National policy do nave some
inAuence OF this there have been proofs WITHIN
tho last six months. Whoever will look DacR
and make a record of the works that nave re-
cnmed operation since last October and OF the
number of hands added by establishments theh
NJ work with part force only, and also OF the
number of hands whose wages have been IN
creased will realize that the expectation of wiser
laws and administration has already produced
an important change for the better. But 1t would
be foollshness to expect that hopeful anticipa-
lions alone could bring about anything Ike the
entire change expected and desired
There are about 100000 workers who are
d,rectlv affected by the defence which the tariff
gives TO manufacturing and mining Industries.
Resides these all the farmers so located that
MARI of the markets for certain of their products
have been invaded by importations along the
Canadian border along the Atlantic Coast and
on ,he southern border and the Pacific Coast in
Guiding about one million woOl-growers, consti-
,ute another large body affected by protective
dntlos National prosperity depends in large
degree upon what demand these classes may
find for the products of their labor and upon
VIVA, they may be able to purchase OF the prod
ucis Of others 1t is essential TO observe that it
is not the expectation Of having more money 10
expend. but the actual having more TO spend,
which makes larger business In few branches,
AS in raw wool heavy speculative purchases
NAV be induced by confidence that prices will
stored ;
long and with as little risk as wool and there
are no others in which the demand has been In
like measure affected
When the millions Of producers find that they
are actually able to buy more freely, as they did
in 1892. their buying will begin to empty retail
shelves. TO deplete wholesale stocks, TO prompt
moro orders 10 factories and mills of all kinds.
There has been some improvement Of that nature
already because multitudes who were idle have
found work, and others have begun to receive
hotter wages and the gain has been enough 10
start good many more mills But nothing Ike
the full effect Of change Of National policy can
be realized before the excessive foreign cOmpeti-
ton has been materially reduced by a change Of
law. Wholesale merchants hesitate to order
stocks materially ahead OF their current needs
50 long as there is a possibility that the change
Of law desired may be either defeated in the Sen
ote or SO altered as 10 do little good, or by long
debate and delay rendered of no use for the next
season. Under the same circumstances manu-
facturers hesitate TO go far beyond known orders
in piling ND manufactured products.
1t will take some time to realize the full effect
OF a change OF tariff. and much may depend
upon the time occupied by the Senate in acting
on the measure. That it ought 10 be thoroughly
and carefully examined no one will deny and the
Senators who have devoted years of labor and
study TO such problems would fall short OF their
duty II they should neglect such scrutiny. There
is also the fact that the Senate Committee Is
obliged to consider with great care, not merely
what would be the best possible bill, but what
bill can command the narrow majority in the
Senate. And while debate only for display or
for advertisement with constituents or for ven
illation OF notions on questions not pertinent
will be an offence 10 the Senate and to the coun-
try there Is at times actual need In the Senate
OF carefully explaining mertorious provisions
and the reasons for them. But Senators who
realize how much the prosperity Of the country
depends upon early action will be anxious TO dis
courage mere talk and the Offering Of amend