The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-05-02

manufacturers, flour millers, metal
workers, and the miscellany of pro-
tected industries and trades which
are disturbed by the prospect of a
weakening of their defenses. These
are the forces that have been wont
to carry the day in tariff revisions
made by the party of protection; but
why should they be rallying when that
party has been routed and that OF
tariff reform on a basis Of ~"revenue
only" and completion with the
foreigner has possession of the filed?
Only because there are signs of defec-
ton in the ranks of the vtctors and
hope Of bargaining with the disaffect-
| ed.
1t Is certain that this thing cannot
be done in a corner. TIL situation is
very different from that in which tar
ifs have been made by those who were
in sympathy with the self-seeking 'dn-
terests'' and who admitted the lobby
into committee rooms and consulted
overN the terms of concilliation and
compromise. It is different even from
that when the Wilson tariff was Cor
manized SO that a democratic president
Indignantly expressed his disapproyal
without actually vetoing its enactment.
Things thus far have been done in the
Iopen and there is AN evident deter
mination by the majority of the two
committees in charge of the revenue
measures and the president that what
ever is done shall be done before the
eyes of the public. This will throw
upon the small group of recalcttrant
democrats in the senate q heavy
weight of responsibility if they at
tempt to defeat a measure distinctly
framed and supported In pursuance of
the pledge OF their party. How far
! this will deter them from holding their
ground in opposition to the bill, IL they
fail to have 1T modified to suit in some
measure their own purposes, VIZ shall
see In due time. There is little chance
of their securing any serious modifica-
tions. If they fail, will they venture
to defeat 1T in case they find they have
1.-The power?
In the meantime there is q general
demand that the subject be disposed of
with reasonable promptneSs. Even the
business interests which are not afraid
of the results of tariff revision must be
kept in suspense and disturbed in their
calculations until the question is set
tied. They cannot proceed with con
fdence so long as there's uncertainty.
The country will have little patience
with ~jockeying, talking against time,
and other obstructive tactics, which can
only staye OFF vote, and senators re-
sponsible for anything of the kind will
incur an odium to- which they are not
accustomed in the ordinary contests of
Legislation. How can reasonably prompt
action be assured in the senate? Under
the present rules there lis no means of
bringing debate toSa close and compel
ling vote without unanimous consent.
There is said tobe a movement on foot
for amending the rules 50 that debate
can BIZ limited. This lis athing that
fought to be done In the senate in any
case, TO put an end to a. long standing
abuse. III 1T can he accomplished under
the pressure tor prompt action on the
tariff, lit may effect 81 permanent reform
in the methods of the senate where
Courtesy has ruled until III has be-
come travesty upon senatorial dignity.
The democratic leaders, the commits
tees OF both house and senate, and the
president are undoubtedly intent upon
enacting the tariff bill substantially as
III passes the house and a majority oi
both parties will be against p~rotracting
the proceedings and delaying final ac-
tion. III lis only small minority of The
party responsible for legislation tina I'll
at all likely HI prevent the carrying oui
Esof the policy deterYniised upon a1d