New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-23
NO REASON FOR COMPLAINT.
PROGRESS WITH THE Tariff BILL Elk.
CEPTIONALLY RAPID.
WHAT A REVIEW OF TARIFF LEGISLATION PROM
THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOVERN
MENr INDICATES
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l

MENT INDICATES.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington June 22.-PeopIe who are complain.
ing OF what they assume TO be the SLOW progress
OF the Tariff bin will probably be surprised to
know that no Administration since Washington's
ever placed upon the siatute-books tariff meas.
urc within brief period after Inauguration as
Will that OF William Mckinley. There Is every
reason to suppose that the Dingley Dill Will be
law before the end Of July. III this snail happen,
President Mckinley will have An opportunity to
attach his signature TO n general tariff measure
earlier In the history OF his Administration than
has any President since George Washington signed
the first tariff act. on July T. 1883
This record will be made the more remarkable
by facts: First. that every years Developments
of commerce and manufactures add 10 the com.
pl,oations and difficulties OF framing tariff meas.
ure and. second. that the party in control OF the
Administration controls only one branch OF Con-
gress.
II has seldom happened I'm the history Of the
country that "A general tariff measure has become
law when Congress- and the Administration were
not controlled by single party and that II should
he possible to pass tariff bill 30 soon after q
holly contested political campaign with one branch
of Congress I'm the hands OF those who were pitted
against the Republican party in that contest Is
the more extraordinary. Indeed study OF the
history of the tariff legislation in the United
States would not have warranted the prediction
year ago that a protective tariff bill could be passed
by Congress not controlled in both branches by
the Republican party.
The first tariff act placed upon the statute.books
vas signed by George Washington July l. I7a
Not only was It the first tariff under the Con.
sti;uon but the first protective-tarif measure. In
dcating in it's preamble that "it is necessary for
The support of government, for the discharge Of
debts Of the United States and the encouragement
and protection of manufactures. that duties be
laid on goods wares, merchandise imported" etc.
The consideration of this act occupied but about
two months time, Washington was not In.
augurated until April 30, and the work upon the
tariff bill did not begin. Of course, until after
that date This tariff brief, its text being
probably about one-twenteth Of that OF the bill
now under consideration. Several other un1
measures were adopted during Washington's Ad.
mnistration most Of them involving increases upon
the rates named by the first measure.
John Adams who became President on March
1891 did not sign the Tariff bill enacted under his
Administrations which increased the rates Of duty On
sugar moasses wines, etc, until May 10 leoo' over
three years after his Inauguration.
Jefferson who was naugurated on March l. lsol.
lid not attach his signature to general tarin
measure until March g. 1904 the bill passed at that
time having for its object increase in the revenue
| to supply funds for the war with the baroaly
| Powers This act increased the ad valorem rates
! md on the following day similar act increasing
| the specific rates. was signed.
Madison was inaugurated on March 4. lso9 ana the
first inporant tariff TO increase duties 100 per cent
IN account of the war with Great Britain, was signed
on July l. 1872 than three years AFTER ms in'
aupuration Madison also signed a general tarn
act on April q, 1876 three years after MS second
Inauguration. -
Monroe was inaugurated on March 4, 1871. and
signed his first and only general tariff act on May
o. 1924, more than seven years after MS h's' III
auguratlon , - ,,,urr-a,ed an March 4
is g and ds Signed general tariff act on Nay 49, 's@
more than three years after his naugulaaTis1a and
-isns Jsy u v lss
than three years AFTER ms ;aneS an
m Ma Sla = i sSa'p'O"'''' ''1''''' . =,
Mach a4 iss was not marked by the enactment Of
any important taritr legislat.9n ,,,u.ura,ea O.
March l. lSli issued March i call for spec; "a!
Of 70 ,b Sesn ay dcSiss
sssasn t. h be % act ns
the Congress Witch that proclamation called into
special session did not become law until Augg vs.
! ne beg beginning of the special session.
Poiks term Of service began on March lssS an, sns
the Ma Of his term er did not become law until July
1876 month"; er 5ne WhsH bssan
March 1879 did not see the enactment IN, OF any gen.
md s pafS STaf S t House ise Of
sentaves during the first half of the term ana ootn
signed on March 1851 the last day OF his term as
RIeseeh h fo ns G YEARS in the White House
during bis four sr Ths
Sn f Massh 1851 days before !hs close q ii:
This he @hos p passas sc was
possible at that time because OF the fact that a
of Congress had Withdrawn. leaving Congress In
the control of the Republican party, when mus
placed tariff ACT upon the statute books two days
/ before the inauguration of Lincoln
President Lincoln, who was inaugurated on Marcn
Of that Year and this was followed by pas.
sage in July. 1852, and June 1864. Of other tariff
Grant. who became President on March t. 1852
ef By on WITH Spy the @ has rst
reduced. this being followed by another reduction
President Hayes. who was inaugurated on March a
ISL signed no general tariff legislation ;, sss
his Administration and Congress being Democrats
in both branches in the latter half OF his term
any general tariff legislation until March g. 1888
'T Cev 1 first term was moi marked by the
completion OF any general tariff LEGISLATION ne
MS f aI "n in the Senate. which was so cose1
divided politically that il was found impossible tho 10
! Administration. and the substitute adopted by me
Democrats divisions the tariff question. now 50
strongly marked. were then beginning to MAKE
Benjamin tIarrsons term began March T.
1879 and the Tst general tariff act passed up lS
eighteen months after his Inauguration ,,,o,
! Cevelands second term. which began on Marsnn
4 1898 with his own party in control IN potn
! branches OF Congress did not witness the compile.
ZION OF a tariff measure until August % 1884. nearly
! eighteen months after the head OF the party hao
taken the oath OF office. .,. ,.,
/ 4 study OF the above history OF the tarin from
the beginning OF the Government down 10 the
present tine will indicate to those who nave pesn
inclined to crticise what they assume 20 De In, tns
slow action of Congress that, instead OF its aciV
being unusually tardy Il has been u gaa, ,ha,
prompt and especially in view OF tne iacl .nat
he marty in control OF the Administration con-
trolls only branch OF oss,hs 10 ns.a
a tariff measure in n r,u,,h greater eng 81
! Of time than has been or Is likely TO De occupied
! In the present instance
TO RESTORE DISLOCATED SPINE.