New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-16
THE VOTE IN THE SENATE.

The vote In the Senate on Wednesday, though
not test on the Tariff bill itself, was highly
significant II occurred on Senator Vests reso-
luton declaring illegal the order Of Secretary
Gage in conformity with the provision adopted
by the House 10 make new duties apply to i'm
ports after April /. Doubtless some strong sup
por,ers of the protective policy question whether
this action of the House alone constituted sutfi-
Gent authority even to prepare for the execution
of the provision if finally passed, and there are
others who question the expedency of enforcing
new duties prior to their final enactment, with
IT disputing the legal authorities cited in the
iiOuse TO sustain the constitutonality Of that
course But the motion to suppress Senator
Vests resolution by referring 1t to the Finance
Committee. and thus in effect sustaining the
Secretary. was supported by every Republican
except Senator Chandler. Of NewHampshire,
while the Democrats all opposed it, with every
Populist present. but of the silver men Senator
Mantle voted with the Republicans, while Sen
ators Jones and Stewart, of Nevada and Teller,
of Colorado. were absent.
The adoption Of the motion, "a yeas to %
nays. together with the appeal of Senator Man
tie for protection of Western wool growers, helps
TO make the situation clearer 1t is assumed
that Senator Chandler will support the Tariff
bill. and Senator McEnery, of louisiana has
stated that he would. and there Is reason to sup
pose that one or more of the silver Senators who
voted against the motion will also. The vote OF
Senator Jones. of Nevada is necessary TO report
a protective measure from the Finance Com
mittee and will undoubtedly be given 10 support
il in the Senate Apparently ii is no longer
possible for any one Senator to defeat the meas
IRE by Withdrawing his support, and, if so. that
fact will have considerable influence upon the
committee in framing the bill. When it goes TO
the Senate the alternative presented TO every
member will be the retention Of free WOOL. free
lumber. and the present inadequate duties on
manufactured products. or the passing OF such
a protective measure as may command the
largest support vote TO retain the existing
state Of things by any Senator who has been
elected as protectonis' Is not to be expected
A tariff bill can never be framed to suit every
individual in all its details. From the days of
Washington to this time, every adjustment OF
duties imports has been work of compro-
mise. ald the desire TO promote the general well
fare by an adjustment in most respects salts
factory has always governed patriotic men,
rather than an unyielding adherence to indi-
vidual preferences or local wishes. When the
choice was between a measure known to be
packed with denominations, loaded down with
favors to monopolies, and fatal to the public
welfare. on the one hand, and continuance of the
tariff of 1890 in force the other, II was EN-
inently proper for certain Democratic Senator's
10 say that the bill should never pass unless
provisions affecting their constituents could be
modified Defeat Of the entire measure would
only have continued in force the tarih under
which the highest prosperity had been realized
This year the alternative Is altogether diff
ferent. The industries Of the country are suf-
ferlng It's Treasury is in absolute need OF
larger revenue The safety Of its currency de-
ponds upon the passing OF a bill TO maintain
the Treasury reserve. and 10 check the drain Of
gold from the country by excessive imports OF
merchandise. No man can refuse his support
10 tariff bill for these objects without taking
tremendous responsibility Nor can any Sen
ator vote against such measure without ex-
pecting TO be held accountable by constituents II
business prostration and National dshonor re-
suit. Ii is an emergency In which men cannot
afford TO say that their personal preferences or