The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-28
RnuGHT WITH A PRICE.

The deadening of the moral sense is
the most Objectionable effect of pro-
tective tariff 1t is this which has
made commercialism supreme in the
politics of the United States, and has
enabled men who announce their be-
lief in the propriety of making money
out of politics and of running a party
machine as a boodling concern to hold
up their heads among their fellows, re-
main pillars of the church and be
elected almost without opposition to
membership in the United States SEN
ate. The conclusion is logical, inevi-
table and unassailable. If it is right
for a manufacturer to vote, as a mem
Der of congress, for a tax that will add
$1,000 a year to his profits; or, If not a
member of congress, to induce, by any
argument, other persons to vote for the
same, then it is right for a member of
congress to take $4,000 in cash for the
vote. The priciple of protection is at
bottom the principle that it is allowa-
BILE and legitimate to make money out
of political office. This low view is the
most conspicuous event in the tariff de-
bate. We hear it avowed unblushing-
ly by men who would resent as an in
suit the hint that they were capable Of
giving or receiving a bribe.
While we expect it Of Republicans,
we cannot be particularly surprised to
find, after the action Of the senate on
the Wilson BILL that the virus has
poisoned the blood Of even an occa-
sional Democrat. In the vote on tax
ing boracic acid, which was the first
test of strength in the senate, two
Democrats are found voting with the
Republicans for this wholly unjustifia-
BILE impost. These men were Senators
McEnery, of Louisiana, and White, of
California. What are the reasons for
the departure of these two gentlemen
from party policy and party associa-
ton? 1t is considered, in political ac-
ton, a shameful thing for man to
join with the enemy in voting against
his party, unless it is an issue that has
become with him a matter of con-
science. The supporters of the Chicago
platform and nominee are bitter
against the Democrats who refused to
join with them, even although thew
would not go to the length of support
ing a Republican. The followers of
Mckinley are equally incensed against
Teller and Pettigrew and the other sill
yer Republicans who opposed their par
ty and urged the election Of Mr.. Bryan.
In these cases, although the minority
acted, unquestionabIy, from conviction.
the censure drawn down upon them by
their respective parties was bitter and
unqualified
We come now to the case of these
two senators, who voted against every
principle of Democracy, and who de-
serted the solid array Of their party
associates On the first tariff vote, and
ask what principle was involved The
reason for the vote in each case is not
only perfectly plain, but is publicly
avowed. "Mr. White, a Democratic
member Of the finance committee,
urged that the California industry re-
quired the rate allowed by the commit
tee" That is to say, while Senator
White pretends to be a Democrat and
is supposed to follow his party's pol
icy, he deliberately rejects and deserts
it at the instant when a California in
terest is affected. The product Of bo-
racic acid in that state is considerable.
We do not believe, and there is no evi-
dence to show, that it needs any duty
at all; certainly it does not need the
enormous one proposed to compete with
the foreign product. The simple finan-
cial proposition is that, If the tax is
raised from four to five cents per
pound, this extra cent, being added to
the price Of the domestic article, will be
just so much additional profit to the
capital that is interested. This is the
price ef Senator Whites vote against
his party; paid not to him directly in