The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-31
MR.. WANAMAI<ER'S MISTAKE.
The Party Has Done It's Duty, and
Times Are Really Better.


The responsibility for the slow return to
prosperity attaching Mr.. Wanamaker's par
ty must therefore be circumScribed by the
simple query: Has it done everything in
sion, or, to put the matter in another
way, are times better than when it came
into power? AS to the latter, we do not
think that there can be any doubt. 1t
would be folly for any party to lay claim
to the credit for the changed condition of
affairs for the better. since the improve
campaign was really the result of a nom
partisan declaration that invested capital
could not be contiScated by public procla-
nation and that the country ought to
abandon a policy which had compelled it
to use over $lO0,000,000 of borrowed money
to pay expenses.
These are the things that the people voted
for Can it be charged justly that no at
tempt has been made to carry their wishes
diately after his election, called Congress
together for the express purpose of passing
a revenue measure. That body has been
in existence now nearly three months. AS
the result of its labors a bill designed to in
crease the revenues has passed the House
has run the gauntlet of opposition, ranging
from mere Indifference to violent attack in
the Senate committee, and in a few days
will be reported for debate in the upper
chamber Does this SAVIOR of neglect of
duty? If so, the definition of that word
narrows to the measure of spiteful preju-
dice. The inability to have put into opera
ton before this time a proper tariff law
does not impugn the integrity Of Mr. Wanna
maker party although it may have to an
swer for the delay and its defense will be
greatly weakened by attacks of the kind
under discussion.
The truth of the matter is that impa-
thence does more to prolong our present
troubles than lukewarmneSs in getting
at the root of our industrial evils. A tariff
bill cannot be formed in a day or a month
ana that some measures are considered de-
fectiVe even after longer discussion the po-
litical changes of the last alf-dozen years
attest. 1t is one thing to propose a uniform
Dingley bill contemplated; it is quite an
other, after this most desirable feature has
been killed by handful of silver senators
responsible apparently only to themselves,
to work through q real revenue measure.
We admit that the delay over the present
the country a flood of goods undervalued
and making profit only to the importer.
at the expense of the consumer and the
manufacturer, but to lay the blame for
this at the door of a single party is unfair
II Mr.. Wanamaker had said that incom-
1t might have been overlooked. The charge
of Wlllful neglect is mucn more serious
Sober reflection leads to the conviction
that the Indictment is overdrawn Times
are better; Improvement is visible on every
hand. We are on the threshold Of a still
enjoy, and looking back to the troubled
period Immediately preceding election there
is much to be thankful for The millennium
as political issue is too startling to find
many advocates. Mr.. Wanamaker has
called upon his party to show cause why
1t does not work marVels, but he flatters it
in his assumption that miracles are made
by votes. Perhaps Mr.. Wanamaker in the
hustlngs, was too enthusiastic last fall and
has been rereading some of his speeches.