Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1882 — THE TARIFF ISSUE. [ARTICLE]

THE TARIFF ISSUE.

Views of J. S. Moore, the Parsee merchant.** Mr. J. S. Moore, of New York, was asked by an Evening Fo.s-/reporter: “What, in your opinion, v ill the Democratic party do with their recent vic tory ?” “Do you know, I am taking a very hopeful view of my party ? It is just a week since the greatest victory ever won by any party perched upon the Democratic banners, and yet we seem to bear it very modestly. We have seen no processions, no gunpowder wasted, no flags flying, and even those prominent men who have spoken pitched their tune remarkably low. Look at the demeanor of the hero of the battle —I mean of course Governor elect Cleveland. He seems not only to realize the great responsibility, but his behavior and utterances are wonderfully becoming, and elicit admiration from his former opponents, who feel satisfied that they supported him.” “So you believe that your party has

learned wisdom, and is going to succeed ?” “I need not say how sincerely I hope it. The election of Speaker of the House of Representatives will test the wisdom of the Democratic party.” “Of course yon don’t wish to see Mr. Randall Speaker, on account of his protective proclivities ?” “I have nothing to say but in kindness of Mr. Randall. But, as an honest, well-meaning Democrat, I believe that the choice of Mr. Randall for Speaker of the House would be the surest defeat to Democratic success. Pray, how can it be otherwise ? Come what may, the country at least, from Maine to the Rio Grande, and from Banger to Puget sound, expects a square, fair tariff issue. Mr. Randall would be placed in a most embarrassing position. Do you think that this great question can now be treated with the same nostrums that have for years been offensive in the nostrils of the people?” “But have you seen what Mr. Randall says about the tariff and the internal revenue?” “Certainly I have; and let me show you how utterly impracticable Mr. Randall's nostrum is. The gentleman proposes to abolish the internal revenue en bloc, which leaves the whole revenue to be raised by the tariff. Now, what is the amount of revenue needed ? Mr. Randall says: ‘ After our public debt is paid in full our expenditures c m hardly be much below $200,000,000, and if this sum is levied in a business-like and inttllige t manner it will afford adequate protection to every industrial interest in the United States.’ Well, how are we to raise the revenue until our public deLt iff paid, which is some $08,000,000 or $70,000,000 more? As for raising $200,000,000 from customs, Pennsylvania will agree with Mr. Randall that it will afford ‘adequate protection to every industrial interest in the United States.’ But the people cannot be impressed longer by this tax. If it only meant $200,000,000, the burden would be light enough, but it means $1,000,000,000 additional burden that the people have to pay to protectionists. Beside, how can Mr. Randall raise $200,000,000 from the customs without imposing such war taxes as now are levied on sugar, salt, rice, woolens, window glass, spool thread and other luxuries of life? No, sir. This victory does not mean war taxes in time of peace. It does not mean blood taxes on the people’s medicines. It means a judicious reduction of our enormous tariff burdens in spite of steel-rail monopoly. It means a true simplifie ition of our swindling tariff system in spite of the upholders of the compound duties.” “So you don’t think Mr. Randall will be chosen as Speaker ?” “I really be'ieve Mr. Randall will be the mo t astonished man, when the time comes, to find what the sentiment of the people on this subject really is. After the election of a Speaker, Mr. Randall will be, a 3 he always has been, a most prominent leader, to which his experience and undoubted ability entitle him.” “I need hardly ask you if Mr. Carlisle is your choice?” “Mr. Carlisle, if chosen Speaker, will bring the tariff issue to the front, and I feel certain that the Democrats will go before the country in 1884 with a liberal tariff reduction; in fact, with a judicious and well-devised economic system. Of course, a Republican Senate may frustrate such a design, but it will only insure the Democrats still further victory. Being a tariff reformer, Inm indeed happy to see Mr. Morrison, of Illinois re-elected. This re-election alone goes ve\y far to insure succe-s to Mr. Carlisle, and promises *a vigorous tariff reform. ”