The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-08
CLOUDS GATHERING.

both legislative and executive branches
of the government. Passage OF the
tariff bill, providing for free sugar In
1915, over the opposition Of Democrats
who claim n violation OF the party plat
form, was but the beginning OF
series of difficulties which bid fair to
all but disrupt tho organization on the
eve Of the congressional election.
Customs receipts have shown an
alarming decrease owing TO the en-
largement of the free list. and there Is
no way to make up the growing treas-
ury deficit, unless tho income taI law
provides many more millions than u
seems likely 70 do, although we arc
told that the estimates made dunng
the discussion OF the tariff measure IN
congress were approximately correct In
any event. whatever is available from
this source win not be due for some
months. The treasury ha, a surplus on
hand at tho present time, which, unless
all signs fnil, will be needed TO pay tho
running expenses OF the various depart
ments.
The Mexican war situation now looms
largo and portentous While the ad-
ministration has succeeded in pacify-
ing the foreign powers whose citizens
have heavy financial interests in the
southern republic, some of which citi-
zcns have been ruthlessly slaughtered
during tho three years Of rapine, the
time has come when the "watchful
waiting policy must give way to some
definite action. It is only because the
invasion of Mexico or blockade OF
her ports by Great Britain is not prac-
ticablo that tho United States has
been allowed TO procrastinate In the
matter of extending protection not only
TO foreigners, but its own citizens as
well.
For many weary months the lid
has been tightly clamped on in both
senate and house aud fair time has
been allowed Messrs. Wilson and Bryan
to compose the situation. The end has
come, so far as congress is concerned,
and the mutterings that have been con-
stantly heard during the past few
mouths have been succeeded by loud
and insistent roar Of indignation. Sen
ators and representatives demand TO
know what the administration is going
20 do and refuse TO keep quiet any
longer upon the pretext that full and
free expression OF opinion on the MeIi-
can situation would hamper the admin
istratiou in its efforts to maintain its
policy of "peRce at any price
The Democrats have tried to main
tain their composure for the sake Of
party regularity, but the limit has np-
parently been reached even with those
who are usually docile and subservient
when word comes from the White house
that the president has decided the
course of action TO be pursued by the
legislators. Patriotism is put above
party by some Of the leaders Of the
majority and change Of front may be
expected IN short order.
But the donkey has other and more
serious troubles than the pacification
of Mexico. In the present inflamed
state of public opinion war with that
distracted country might prove popu-
lar, even though Mr.. Wilson were
forced 10 act. Repeal of the tolls pro.
vision Of the Panama canal act is far
more serious matter, so far as the Dem
oeratic party is concerned, for the line
of cleavage has been drawn. Both
Clark and Underwood have siguified
their intention of running counter 10
the expressed wishes of the president
and will oppose repeal with all their
power in the house. The Sims bill may
pass. but the donkey viii not cease 10
bray for some time after the whip and
spur has been used.
The big fight viii occur in the SEN
ate. where O'Gorman and Chamberlain
VIII manfully stand up for what they
claim is the true American policy. The
party in the senate is split wide open
on the repeal question and the many
exhibitions OF temper have given rise
20 the belief that IL the Republican
senators stand fast the tolls clause will
remain in the act. Even IL the presi.
\ dent Is able 10 coeree the majority and
is allowed 20 have his way about the
matter, no amount Of praise bestowed
upon him by the London press will
heal the breach in the party.
There Is stil another serious situa-
tion confronting the administration.
The tariff law contains q provision
that per cent discount shall be al
lowed on all imports carried by ship.
of American registry, the intention be
ing 70 favor our own merchant marine
a. against the foreign shipping inter
ests. This Is one OF the pet provision,
OF Oscar Underwood. chairman OF tho
kouso ways and means committee, who
was largely Instrumental In framing th.
Law which bears bis name
Mr.. Underwood has insisted in sea
son and out OF season that the provi
sion regarding the discount meant Just
what II said. but tho New York ap
prAisers asked for ruling and the mat