Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-29
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.

The indications are that the Senate
will pass the Dingley tariff bill this
week or course. 1t will be loaded down
with amendments. and to some OF these
the House will strcnuously object But
q committee Of conference will, no
doubt. be able to settle the disagreeng
votes of the two bodies
Senators are not at all inclined to give
way to Speaker Reeds bossism. but while
he rules the House with strong hand
he can exercise little influence upon the
Senate. Furthermore, fl is known that
the margin OF Republican majority in
the Senate is so small it would be DANCE
rous TO trlhe with it. We conclude
therefore. that on all important points.
Mr.. Reed will have to acquiesce in the
will Of the Senate. And SO. in the course
Of few weeks we shall have new
tariff.
That the law will be unequal unjust,
and unsatisfactory to the greater portion
of the country we verify believe, but
once passed it Will be upon our statute
books TO stand for four years. SO we
might as well prepare TO make the best
OF II. If we cannot have favorable con-
ditions under which TO do business, let's
do the best we can under existing condi-
tons. Let's give the new law fair
trial. If it brings wave Of prosperity
with it, well and good II It fails. the
people will be ready enough to repeal il
when the opportunity arrives
We think it quite likely we shall see
an Improvement i'm business soon. But
that improvement cannot but be gradual
Even If we concede that a practically
prohibtory tariff is blessing to the
land. We cannot ignore the fact that
hundreds of importers warehouses are
filled with goods imported in anticipa-
tion OF increased duties. These goods
Will have TO be disposed of before our
manufacturers can expect a lively de-
mand for their like products
So we say the Improvement Will be
gradual. 1t will be good news to hear
of any Improvement at all, and when
il comes we ought to try 10 make il
permanent The country can stand a
Dingley tariff better than it can stand
a
dead weight against which the most
energetic of businessmen find il difficult
TO labor
With the tariff disposed Of the Repub-
licans will proceed more or less leisurely
in the matter of reforming the currency
laws. In the first place. they hope that
the new tariff will revive business so
greatly that no currency legislation will
be demanded. And If they are disap-
pointed in this hope. they VIII first have
10 "get together" as a party before they
can propose any remedial laws. Among
leading Republicans there is a wide diffe-
renee. OF opinion as to what sort of cur
rency legislation the country needs. Sec
retary-of-t he-Treasury Gage, has. how
ever. undertaken to prepare bill and
this. OF course will represent the views
OF the Mckinley Administration.
Quite probably before this extra ses-
sion closes, Congress win authorize the
President 10 appoint a monetary com
mission to consider the whole subject.
This DONE Congress win be relieved |
temporarily of this yexed question. The
commission may 30 fast or slow, as
circumstances warrant. If Prosperity |
puts in a good. healthy appearance, the |
commission may saunter along very |
leisuroly. IL depression continues, the |
commission will have to hurry up
1t Is certain that the Republicans |
greatly fear the free silver people. and /
It Will be their aim TO foil US when |
ever possible.
With the tariff bill n law. the duty |
before US Will be TO make the best we
can OF the situation. and TO 20 to work !
with all the cheerfuness. We can COM
mand. II the Dingley law is going TO
bring prosperity to manufacturing in
dustries. let us try TO get our share OF
that prosperity. We here in Richmond |
have many manufactures Of many
kinds. and II tie Republican dogma OF
high protection has anything of truth
In 1t these ought 10 succeed wen under
the Dingley law.
There Is nothing in the political sit,,a-
tion In Virginia this year TO disturb bust
ness much. Though we have TO elect a
State ticket and members OF the Leeis-
lsture This fan. there Is no likelihood
mat We shall have very exciting con-
ssst The nnu'insss of the Roanoke con-