Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-05-13


in most localities whatever Vermont
could offer in the way of good sport
would be readily taken up with much
profit to the state. All Of these points
have been presented before, no doubt,
but the writer, having made a special
study of the problem, is well qualified
to speak and has many good ideas
that Vermontcrs can afford to consider.
The tariff bill now before the Senate
is not rs satisfactory to many rs the
bill which came from the House. IL
seems destined TO share the fate Of the
/ Wilson bill in becoming mongrel
measure. neither distinctiyely pro-
teetive or the opposite. Some of the
duties that were placed high in the
Dngley bill have been lowered, cspc-
ciallv those on certain grades Of wool.
The new measure is less protective as
whole Then it proposes to place a
tax of ten cents pound on tea for two
years and half This is a fatal error.
The tea tax is directly in line with
! Democratic doctrine, being essentially
revenue duty 1t can benefit nobody
and the whole duty will be added to
the price Of tea rs no home competi-
ton can grow up to reduce the price.
/ Again, the tax on beer is TO be raised
from SI.00 10 Sl.44 per barrel There
| i, difference Of opinion as to the wis
dom Of this course, but it is an i'm
lprovcmcnt on the tea tax. Vermont
/ l. hit hard by the duty on pine lumber
which is fixed at -. with a provision
for an additional - per cent ad yalofcm
duty ii Canada undertakes to rctaliate
| by putting IN export duty on logs
Nearly All the pine manufactured and
| used in Vermont comes from Canada
which is our nearest market for its
purchase. If we are shut OF from
buying Canadian pine, we must buy
western at heavy advance in price
and our wood manufacturers cannot
compete with those located right in
the western pine regions, Tariff max
ing is a hard job. Any changes are
bound to iniurc certain sections. II
we can come ont even in this respect
and see the treasury again supplied il
will be all that Vermont can expect
The Democrats in the national House
of Representative are following the
natural Characteristic OF that party by
their unseemly divisions among them
selves. The nominal leader of the
Democratic minority is young Mr..
Bailey of Texas, who has unqucstioncd
ability in certain lines, but seems
lacking in the essential quality Of com
mon sense. lie recently made himself
prominent by refusing to attend a
White House reception because he did
not wish to follow custom in wearing
an evening dress suit. Asparty leader
his policy is to give the Republicans
free rein. He t;lyors making no oppo
sition TO their tarifl-makin@ plans. His
logic is:-lf protection will bring
prosperity, let il come. even if il in
sures Republican ascendency. II it
fails. the sooner that is found out the
better for the Democracy. He has the
support OF somewhat more than hall
his Democratic associates in this pol
icy, but there is strong minority
which does not take the same view.
This latter faction holds that as Demo.
Gratis pledged to certain principles
which they believe right they should at
all times stand for them and never
give aid and comfort 10 the opposition
They favor using all proper means fol
delaying the tariff bill, believing that
its passage would bc injurious to the
country. 1t really matters little, how.
ever, what stand the Democratic mi.
nority or the minority of the minority
takes. since the House is strongly Re
publican and the Republicans are
united. The tariff bill is now under
discussion i'm the Senate The form i'm
which it energies from that body will
probably be its final construction. as
the House will ratify it quickly The
sooner it goes into effect the better for
! the country.