New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-24
THE DEMOCRATIC TACTICS.

Tho caucus of Democratic Senators has prOba-
bly, taken the shrewdest course left open 10
them In deciding TO make no prolonged re-
sistance to the passage of such tarlH Dill rs
the Republican majority prefers, the Democrats
seek 10 shift the responsibility for all the evil
consequences of a delay which inevitably IN
lures the business of the country every hour
Feeling that they could not face such respon-
sibility when the millions of business men ana
worklnCmen are waiting mpatiently for relie.,
the Democrats are able to say that the RepuS-
Ucans have taken nearly two months already,
since the bill passed the House. making in COM
mittee changes which involve some debate ana
further delay in the Senate. Hence they pro-
pose to state objections TO some points. but IN
the main 10 assail the increase Of internal taxes
Except to meet a temporary emergency, he
publicans cannot defend that increase without
departing from The principles they have advo-
Gated for many years and Democrats VIII
claim that an increase until January !, lSoo,
as to beer and tea, more than two years ana
half and without limitation as to tobacco ana
cigars. does not appear to be for temporary
purpose Whether patriotic or not, this pohcy
of the Democrats is undoubtedly shrewd.
That there are features of the bill which
many Republicans do not approve the Demo
Gratis are well aware. But they know that the
increased taxes on beer and tobacco VIII be
directly felt by great bodies of voters ana pow
erful organizations which have repeatedly
turned the scale in some OF the largest states.
II is the desire Of the Democrats TO throw upon
Republicans exclusively the responsibility 1or
imposing these increased taxes, which the voters
feel. in place of duties on imports which the
voters rarely feel at all If any Republican an
swers that duties on imports cannot be placea
as high as they were in the act OF ls9o, the
Democrats will hail this as admission that the
act of 1890 was too high for revenue purposes
and higher than the people Will tolerate.
II has seemed TO The Tribune from the first
that the House bill wisely avoided this line OF
criticism, and, in holding more nearly to the
rates of the act of 1890, except where reductions
were clearly warranted was more III harmony
with the Republican principles and record Inc
Senate Committee has pared off from the House
bill In q great number of instances. thereby CIV
ing ND a large amount of revenue in the aggre-
gate Thus on woollens the reduction of du-
Ties and the large increase in the ad valorem
mart NAV involve decrease of several millions
in the revenue and the change on wool sacri-
Coos q large amount, besides about 100000 on
waste, noils and yarns. The change on leaf to-
S7.OOOOOO. against strong protests of growers
A multitude of similar items could be named,
such as the reduction Of about 100000 on lin
ems and $4,000 on burlaps. $4,000 on tin
mates $4,000 on brandy, $4,000 each on hay
and cbicle and 100000 on salad OIL Perhaps
ono Of the largest actual reductions Of revenue
nav come through the removal or the House
nroyision limiting the value OF wearing apparel
which travellers may bring in free OF duty for
Il Is certain that goods worth many millions are
nov smugcled into the country every year III
this way though the amount anu the possible
rovepue cannot be accurately stated. But I'M
loss these reductions We're clearly necessary
the need of increasing internal taxes does not
yet appear.
Tho Democrats owe quite too much to the
Sugar Trust ard know too well the attitude OF
tbeIr own President and Cabinet on the mat
tor In 1894. TO make their main attack On the
sugar schedule. 1t is quite possible that some
M Them long to fastep upon the KepuDncah
Marty the responsibility Of giving TO refiners
much greater benefits than were given by the
Wilson act. Some may even give that as rea-
son for voting for the schedule, or aDsehlihg
themselves when that vote comes. In any case,
II would have been impossible for them as
Marty 10 make any effective attack upon that
mart of the measure. 1t depends upon RepuDll-
cans themselves, first In the Senate and then In
the House, to determine whether their party
shall be responsible for greater fayors 70 the