The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-18

CONGRESSMAN MERGERS remarks on
the tariff are strikingly characteristic
Of the present attitude of the Repuhli-
can party. He says that If present con-
ditions continue there viii be very lit
tie tariff agitation in the next Congress
The sentiment of the people, ne thinks,
viii be in favor of letting well enough
alone" But If there is a serious break
in the market price of securities. some
Republicans may take the alarm and
all sorts of tariff propositions viii be
made But unless there is a change for
the worse in business conditions,
the Nebraska Representative is of the
opinion that the Babcock proposition
Will not receive the support of a cor
poTaTs guard
It IS reasonably safe to say that Mr..
Babc0ck's proposition viii not receive
much support under any circumstances
on the Republican side of the House,
because the Committee on Ways and
Means viii oppose its consideration, and
the Committee on Rules viii stand by
the committee that has all tariff mat
ters in charge. Conditions are all the
time changing. and some of the changes
Of the near future may be Of a sub
stantial character; but nothing can be
more certain than that no change likely
TO occur Will be considered by the Re
publican leaders as requiring a blow at
the trusts. There may be various prop
osiuons made and much scattering
talk but nothing viii be done if the
Hannas and the Paynes and the Dali
zeIIs can prevent it-and they probably
can
The Republicans are setting entirely
too much store upon the probable effect
Of the prosperity which they aIlege to
exist. Granting that times are better
than they were few years ago, it by
no means follows that the people are
entirely satisfied. Indeed, the labor tTou-
bIes now prevailing throughout the
country, or in immediate prospect, give
rise to a rather strong presumption that
there is good deal of discomfort
abroad in the land Prosperity is al
ways relative condition and nothing
IS more natural than for people to de
sire TO further improve their condition.
The argument that they should let
well enough alone" IS very seldom a
convincing one. That was the plea Of
the Republicans in 1882, but it did not
work When there are glazing evils
in plain sight It IS hard matter to
make people believe that q condition
OF well enough exists. That the mass
/ ing of the countTy's great industries in
! the hands of a few hundred million and
billion dollar trusts is an evil ef vast
/ proportions and threatens great harm
/ in the near future. If II IS not already
at hand should be perfectly plain TO
all who think or care about the condi-
ton Of the people as a whole.
! Another thing that the Republican
! leaders overlook IS the circumstance
/ that when times are fairly good and the
J people are not actually suffering they
/ are in a position 10 be more indepen-
dent in their political action than when
] they are engaged in a desperate strug-
gle for existence The ability 10 be
independent strengthens their incIina-
tons in tFat direction, predisposine
them TO q consideration Of abstract
questions Of right and wrong. which
generally are overlooked in seasons
when the distress IS so keen that men
can think of little else than the earn
! ing Of their daily bread. II is not wise
| for the leaders Of the dominant party
to bank too heavily either upon con
tinuance Of present conditions or the
certainty Of success if they should hap
pen TO remain unchanged.