The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-12
The End OF o Long Struggle.

Tho End of o Long Struggle.
Az last the country seems to have reached
that condition long desired for IL by
the philosophers who have insisted that
the tariff should be taken out Of politics.
The tariff is taken out Of politics 90 far as
concerns any essential difference Of opinion
ast to the principles in accordance with which
a tariff should be constructed. A Demo-
cratic protective tariff is now In force and
a Republican tariff will soon be in force.
The principle Of protection Is admitted.
actively or passively, by all sides. Dissen-
sions over details there must still be, influ-
enced by special and local, and not polit-
ical, considerations 1t has been evident
during the discussion of the Dingley bill
that most Of the attacks upon 1t were not
inspired by any definite economic opposi-
tion to protection, but by the spirit of bum
combe. For example. it is regarded by
certain Senators as necessary to whack
away at the trusts with a great show of
vigor. The Democrats accuse the Dingley
bill Of fattening the trusts, just as the Re-
publicans accused the Wilson bill of fat.
tening the trusts. All this sort Of talk is
not really directed at the tariff, but in
tended to remind constituents that the
member for Buncombe is still on deck and
able to send through the speaking trumpeta
voice of undiminished volume and sorority.
AS everybody knows, trusts flourish under
free trade as under protection, and the
orators who rail at them or at any particu-
lar tariff schedule which is said to help
them, are not shouting at the tariff, but
i,,,k ,ho,,ks,r Tr,,.fo ,ooax onI sIrfp1
for a statesman of an easy temperament. 1t
seems to be no work ct all to rage at them;
and it will not escape the attentive student
of the progress of certain scourgers of
trusts, that they were once most violent in
their declarations about the atrocities and
iniquities Of protection.
Most of the men who voted against the
Tariff bill in the Senate last week are not
opponents of protection. Many Of them
rave shown by their votes upon proposed
amendments to it, or by amendments which
they have offered, that they are practical
protectionists. This Is particularly the
case with the Senators from the South, so
long the domain of free trade, but driven Of
late years to the protectionist side by It's
interests. A few old stagers may still pine
" IL Nv oNiIShs oup Vlidp puAty 10 OhCto
to represent and fight for ita The Demo-
Gratis who were so vehement, in word, for
a constitutional tariff in 1892 made an
ordinary or Extraordinary protective tariff
in 1894. The Democrats of 1895 tucked
away the principle of revenue only, and do
not, in fact. care anything about the tariff,
one way or the other. Their zeal Is given
to other issues, beside which all the pother
about protection and free trade seems as
stale as a list of the Egyptian dynasties.
The Democratic party has been COM
mitted since 1890 to what Is in effect a
general wal on wealth and business. The
fortunes accumulated under the protective
system are too small a portion of the hoard
to deserve any special anger from the
Bryanites. They have seen the impossi-
bility of making other thar a protective
tariff. did they desire TO do 40. but they
have more important work on hand. They
want to debase the currency. to get control
of the Supreme Court. to impose special
taxes upon the rich, to keep the Federal
courts and army from protecting the prop.
erty of corporations and citizens. even in
an armed rebellion against law. What
mighty results would follow II they should
carry their points ! The tariff Is an insig.
nihcant thing in comparison. The Bryan.
ties are not breaking their heads with
worry as to how the Government revenue
shall be obtained. Private revenues are
what they are concerned about.
All things considered, then. the tariff
has ceased TO he a political issue. The ma
jority of the people believe or acquiesce In
a protective tariff, and most of those who
do not are not interested in II at present,
or likely coon to be. The fight is on other
lines. The tariff which is now In confer.
ence will be likely to remain on the statute
books for a long time II 1t produces revenue
enough for the Government; and If II does
not produce revenue enough, the modifca.
tions will not be dictated by politics. Pro.
lection Is master of the field.