Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1882 — Ex-Speaker Randall Interviewed. [ARTICLE]

Ex-Speaker Randall Interviewed.

The Hon. Samuel J. Randall gave his views to a Philadelphia reporter on the future of the Democracy. Referring to the November elections, Mr. Randall said: “I believe that the recent Democratic success means a declaration by the people in favor of greatly reducing public expenses, both in the Federal and State Governments. Such reductions are easily obtainable, and can be secured without friction to proper administration. There are many other questions vital to the prosperity of the country that must be met, and among these no one is of more importance than the doing away with the internalrevenue system. As for myself, lam in favor of an absolute and entire repeal of all such taxation. The Republicans made a fatal mistake in not co-operating with the Democrats at the last session of C ngress in securing the then proposed reduction of $50,000,000. Now the whole system must go.” Mr. Randall then went on to show how the Government could raise the revenue necessary to meet its obligations and expenses. One great source Of revenue was in the form of custom duties on imports. He thought that a thorough reform and simplification of the tariff laws was necessary and should be accomplished as speedily as possible. He said: “I do not favor a tariff enacted simyly for the sake of protection, because I doubt the exi fence of any constitutional warrant for it. It would manifestly be in the nature of class legislation, and to such legislation, favoring one class at the expense of any other, I have always been opposed. In my judgment the question of free trad? will

not become a live political issue in this country during our lives, so long as we continue to raise revenue by duties on imports, and therefore the discussion of that principle is absolute wa->te of time. There is hardly a man in public life who advocates free trade pure and simple. Nobody wants direct taxation.” “What other measures of reform are likely to be pressed by the Democratic party, and how will their return to power affect the business interests of the country ?” was asked. “ The people are opposed to all subsidies and all kinds of jobbery,” Mr. Randall replied. “Reform in the civil service of the Government is needed, and the enactment of laws to prevent enforced assessment of officeholders’ salaries, whether such officeholders are under Federal, State or municipal control. I think I’ can assure the public that nothing will be done by the Democratic House which will in any degree disturb, or even embarrass, oui' present business prosperity. ” Mr. Randall said that he regarded the result of the election in his State as a complete and final overthrow of bossism. “The leaders of all parties and factions,” he said, “would do well to ully understand this feature of the result.” When the subject of the Speakership of the House of Representatives was broached, 'Mr. Randall good humoredly said that, no matter who is the Speaker, the policy he indicated would be carried out as far as the Democrats in Congress can shape legislation.