The Republican journal., 1897-05-13
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, May TO- 1897. The chief
point which the Democrats are now max
ing against the victorious Republicans is
an assertion that they have not produced
the promised prosperity Members of
Congress are receiving intimations from
their districts and States indicating that
this seed which the Democrats are sowing
among certain class of people is produc-
! ing some dissatisfaction and criticism
''Of course, it is absurd that such com
plants should be made, and that people
should think it worth listening to- said
Chairman Dingley, talking of these criti-
cisms. sit is certainly unreasonable to
assume that business activity in manufac-
turing lines could revive pending action
upon tariff rates."
'Is it not a fact, Mr.. Dingley, that the
knowledge that tariff change is in imme-
date prospect proves more depressing to
the manufacturer than any other condi-
tion?'
'Momentarily, yes. l do not know that
the word depressing is just the one, but
certainly it does have the effect of making
it impossible for him to make contracts,
even where he can get them, and of max
ing it difficult to get contracts at all.
Dealers are unwilling to make contracts
for future delivery of goods during the
pendency of the tariff bill, because they
| Il IL,
| imported goods of the same class will be-
Manufacturers are unwilling to make con-
tracts during the tendency of the tariff
bill, because they do not know what they
will have to compete with in foreign
goods, nor do they know what they will
have to pay for the raw material which
they bring in from abroad for use in man
ufacturng.''
$50 the present period is probably the
most difficult one for the manufacturer to
do business, to say nothing of the impos-
sibility of increasing business or adding to
the number OF employees"
''Yes. Then it ought to be remember
ed, too. that importers are rushing goods
into the country at the greatest possible
speed, and that nearly year supply of
foreign goods will be in the warehouses of
the country by the time the new law goes
into effect, in spite of everything we can
do to prevent it. This means that the
manufacturers will not be able to resume
activity to any great extent for several
| months yet. The people ought to under
stand this. | have no doubt that the new
law will bring increased activity in manu-
featuring, and thus produce prosperity in
every branch of industry. But it is I'M
reasonable to expect that this can happen
either before the new law goes into effect
or Immediately after it, since the stock of
foreign goods will be so great that the de-
mand for home manufactures cannot be-
gin until this enormous accumulation of
foreign goods is absorbed by the people of
the country
The tariff bill and the House commit
tees are the principal subjects of discus
81 ion here now. The Republican members
of the Finance Committee have finished
their consideration of the bill, and succeed
ed in getting it reported last week, des-
pite the obstructive delay of the Demo
cratic members. The Democrats know that
the longer the bill is kept off the statute
books the longer prosperity will be delay
ed, and their policy is evidently going to
be to hold the bill back as much as posi-
BILE in the Senate in the hope that the peo-
pie OF the country may become dissatis-
ned with the delay of promised prosperity
! under Republican administration. While
it is of course absurd to assume that the
prosperity expected from Republican leg
islation can come before the legislation is
enacted, it is a fact that by constant reit-
Grafton OF this unfounded complaint Dem
oclatlc editors and orators are influencing
to some extent the public mind, and the
longer they car hold back prosperity by
holding back the bill and piling up foreign
goods in the warehouses the greater will
be their chances for success in the coming
fall elections Hence their delay in action
upon the bill in committee and their will
! lingness to hold it back as long as posi-
BILE in the Senate, where they have unlim-
tied power of delay, because of the fact
that the Republicans do not control this
body.