The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-29
SEATTLE, MONDAY. MARCH -
saRassrSe THE TARIFF.

The debates on tbs tariff bin show that
many members Of congress have neither
read tho Congregational Record nor the
more general hsstory OF the country. TIE
subject has gone far beyond the tas0reti-
cal stage and no party advantage Is gain
ed by the opposition Democrats are now
making II is generally understood by
.hss time that most Democrats 90 net be-
iieve In protection and the people are not
concerned al ell IN that psrty's view Of
the subject. What they are interested IN
juss now is the compilation OF the schei-
uIe with a view 10 giving the measure a
fair test
IL the debates threw any new light on
the subject or displayed prem0nitory
knowledge on the part Of opposing con-
ere@smen. the people would have an op-
portgniiy to contrast the predictions as
with It's fni1lmenta. The discussion Is.
on the contrary. only a running IRE Of
paraaoxi0al propositions without logical
connection. The assaults are a guerrilla
attack made without any pTeiense to oo-
serv,ng the laws OF civilized warfare.
Among she mcst strikingiy absurd OF the
raradoses was presented by a member
from New York. whose name IL Mahoney.
PIE was opposed 10 tariff he said. be-
cause 8 high tariff tempted people 10 come
20 this country. Statistics showed. he
observed. that there was much larger
immigration under Harrison than under
Cleveiand Could anything be more alb
surd' The astute Democrat would keep
seventy millions Of people In distress be-
cause II prosperity came to them Il might
tempt a few thousand to seek TO benefit
by It. II that were the case Armenia
ought 20 be the ideal country. How the
Nevsaans must rejoice now that the great
honsnzas are worked out II is no
torious that when Nevada was prosperous
tens OF thousands rushed in to partici-
pate In her good fortune. when that de-
parted. the tens of thousands departed
also. and the few who are left should
ponder over Mr.. Mahoncy's scheme OF POI
lisscai economy.
objection made ey Republican members
snd also. but very rarely. by Democratic
members. who arc familiar with the exac,
conditions ~ trade In special articles.
The policy OF the Republican party Is TO
put the tsrif on some articles only high
enough 20 raise . revenue. on other ar
sicles. Il desires to place a tariff high
enough 20 protect the mechanic and the
farmer against the cheap labor Of Europe
ana the coolie or the East. !, has. IN do
ting this. 20 aveid two evils likely to arise
by going 60 an extreme. One OF these u
the danger % making the rate 90 high as
90 bar impoFtatlons entirely ard 30 pre-
vent a revenue being derived and the
other Is the danger of creating monepolies
ny shutting oat n reasonable com peiition-
The only means ~ which either evil can
be avoided e by care IN the schedule.
This care depends upon a knowledge Of
the several industrial No one man can
he master of the commercial details OF al
Industrial products To this task the
most conscientious efforts Of all parties
should hs drexted. The Democrats most
msserahly failed IN their schedule and the
country suffered II ~ small satisfaction
Go a congressman 20 worry she Republican
majority II The result OF Il shall Re 20
impose On tire country a further gorioa OF
adVsrRty