The tariff issue divided the country and the political parties. Democrats wanted lower tariffs, while Republicans desired higher tariffs. President Arthur appointed a tariff commission to investigate and report on the matter. This work eventually led to the congressional passage of a broad-based tariff law pejoratively dubbed the “Mongrel Tariff” because it had inconsistent provisions that did not change the overall tariff rate much at all. Arthur took heat in the press for not being active enough in the process.