The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-02
THE NEW TARIFF.

ny an almost strictly party vote the
new tarif bin has passed the house Of
representatives. and IL now goes 10 the
senate /, has been evident for soma
time that the bill would go through
practically as the committee having IT In
Preparation had suggested. but II IL none
the less satisfaction that II has passed
so important a stage.
Every Item In the schedule interests
one or more branches OF commerce bu,
the time feature concerns all. The propo-
si,ion which evoked the final contest was
that making the new tariff 20 into ef-
feet from April l. There Is a strong
prejudice against any law which reaches
back and threatens TO interfere with ey-
en- an inehoate right. The United States
Ia congress assembled should always be
just In the exercise OF its extraordinary
powers. and II the fixing OF an anterior
date partook OF the character OF ''clnch''
every man In the house should have voted
against Il even though the bare legal au-
thority might stand behind Il.
The provision Is that Notwithstanding
the law may not be passed for some DAYS
IL shall take effect from April l. There
were two objections made. one that Il was
retroactive and illegal. and the other that
IL was unwise. The legal objection was
met by citation % precedent. and In any
event viii be disposed OF by the courts
so that Il need not be a subject OF gen
erai discussion. The moral aspect, which
Is OF much more consequence. is n proper
subject for general consideration.
The people decided las, November IN
favor OF a different policy as to imporsa-
ton OF foreign goods. and as 10 the con-
months sEo. Il II nearly a month since
congress assembled. and the CHIEF fea-
lures OF the btu have been matter OF
notoriety for some time. To permit the
great importation % goods possible De-
tween the present and the probable time
when the tln will become law Is TO cut
eur own threats. II Is direct invitation
20 foreign manufacturers and the import
ing interests. which are always, OF
course. opposed TO tariff, to food this
country with goods before ire bar IA pun
NJ. II means a speculation by shrewd
shippers. II would result in deprsvlnx our
mills and factories % employment 70 the
extent % the importations or eepgfvinx
the treasury q the rsYenue Il should have.
Why ropailSts should seek 20 nroianx
the present conditions Is inscrutahie IN
face % tsie pledges they have made. ssusp-
son. Of Kansas. declared tha, he would
otter no opposition 70 the bin. and gave
common sense reasons fer his decision.
He said he was not opposed % AIRY means
shAt would bring prosperity. ae only ar
ferSs with tie Republicans 50 20 ths rtvht
means. TIE peoale tie said had voted
Cor the single standard ard higher tar
~. and scr bis part he desired ;he-n fo
have al they wanted o. r. lie believed
since TIE Republicans bad assumed the
responsibility. tn permitting them 20 have
T. oshe~wtss. II there should - Any
disappointment "a TIRE oUtconA TIE Re-
ransicsns w'oula pGt the blame on TIA
amendments made ~ ire opposition.
Thls Is TIE rignt attitude. Il Ire Repas-
lgeaa doctrine Is wroag Il saeala he
Shown spon TIE merits. an2 aGer a fair
trial People nav - deserved ~ theories.
eus tAsy cannot he deceived ga 10 results
II tae Republican pa'icy = mistaken there
viii - no eouos en ire subject: The ~
PIE kaow Wien they are prespeross. even
Y they 30 aOs slwsys fevl sure 10 advance
81 she meas nkelx 30 bring g.
Tho onseesion. thsrs.ore. nAde ~ the
Popaltsts 20 tae retrospective clause was
vers uaWssN Nothing more ooula ~ ex.
pecsea e iae Democrats whose symnath-
lea are Sn1l7esy wtss re srnpargatisn %
fosetsn xeois tres g duty, and wsa.
rigatiy. er wrongiy. rake that part ~ /
their avovea Esoltcy. Ire Democrats have |
bad tAe4F snnings. sna zasae miserable /
failure TIE Pogg,.sts neS1 net fear tie !