New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-28
IGNORING THE TARIFF.

Thinking people do not fail to observe a re-
markable unanimity and earnestness Of desire
among Democrats on one point. Divided on
other topics, the leading men Of that party all
want to drop discussion of the tariff. What
ever else they may wish TO discuss or avoid, the
tariff question they ignore as carefully and anx-
iously as If it were Of all explosives the most
potent and dangerous. Mr.. Bryan talks much,
but takes care not to talk about Protection.
Democrats Of Eastern States and cities, whether
protesting to be absorbed In local issues or to
be frantic about silver coinage. or to lie awake
nights about the tyranny OF government by in
junction, unanimously let the tariff question
alone. Here and there few Free-Trade fanat-
les, who have not enough practical sense to be
charged even by the Democratic party with
any responsibility of management or leadership,
are still trying to make points against the new
tariff. But the men who do the practical work
of leadership for the party. and for each Of its
wings and factions, show by their conduct that
they are particularly anxious to have that ques-
ton forgotten.
In view Of events which are being recorded
week by week this is not surprising. The most
rapid and gratifying Improvement in the state
Of business and industries that this country has
which attention can be called without reminding
voters Of that other fearful change which came
after the Inauguration In 1893. When Mr.
Cleveland was inaugurated business lost more
than a quarter of its volume from March to
September, though in the previous year transac
tons in the two months had been practically Of
the same magnitude. But from a daily average
| of Sl42 S44 900 paid through the principal clear
inc houcpS Ia March the have nd
vanced to a daily average Of S211,324.O 900 in
September thus far an increase Of nearly one
half. 1t is not of the slightest use, as practical
Democratic leaders know, to spend time in try
ing to account for such contrast. 1t makes It.
selSfelt by everybody in the country. from the
poorest wage-earner to the greatest capitalist
and creates a conviction which nothing can
remove.
This difference Of S6S,500,0O0 in daily pay
ments through principal clearing houses. not
much less than 81 day for every inhabltant
Of the country represents to large extent
money expended in providing for the future
wants Of consumers. Probably the actual dis
trbutlon Of goods to consumers has not yet in
creased in so great proportion. But the fact
shows that the shrewd business men In all
parts Of the country have found before their
eyes change In the state OF industry and the
condition Of the people which conv!nces them
that demands for consumption must increase
much more than they have as yet. Consequent
ly the rcplenishment Of stocks, both retail and
wholesale, has been in rapid progress for more
than a month. and 1t will take some months
more to complete that process. restoring deal
ers' stocks to the quantities usually carried and
needed in years OF prosperity. AT the same
time retail trade has also greatly Increased In
all parts OF the country, ard so greatly that de-
mands for immediate delivery In most branches
Of business grow more urgent every day.
The main factor In this change Is the larger
employment Of labor at better wages. The
twenty million wageearners do great pro-