The Republican journal., 1871-05-25
Revenue Reform.

1t is rumored in high Radical circles.
says the Buffalo Courier, that very de-
cided change has taken place in the senti-
ment Of business classes upon whom the
republican managers strongly rely for sup
port and pecunary assistance, with regard
to the revenue reform question, and that
Speaker Blaine has encountered consider
able embarrassment upon that point in the
formation of his committees. He is said
to have visited New York a few days ago
and interviewed numerous prominent
manufacturers and merchants with refer
ence to the organization of the Committee
on Ways and Means. With great unani
nifty they denounced the present revenue
system rs highly injurious to their inter
ests and those of the country They We're
nearly all radical business men, who had
rendered themselves prominent during the
war in supporting the Unioncause. Never
theless, they declared to Speaker Blaine
that, if he appointed Judge Kelley OF any
other protectionist as Chairman Of the
WAYS and Means Committee, they should
regard the act rs a declaration of hostility
and should thcnceforth throw their money,
votes and influence with the conservative
party.
Speaker Blaine replied that he shou Id
investigate the matter, and if he found, as
he had strong reason to believe he would,
that the expressions made TO him were the
general sentiments OF the commercial
classes, he should certainly appoint a pro
the ways and means committee, and the
name of the person was even canvassed,
although it is not yet made public. The
Hon. Alexander Dclmar, writing in the
National Intelligcncer says, with refer
encc to the probabilities
There can be no doubt that if the speaker re
fcrs to the views of the business community il
this matter he will appoint revenue reformer
But on the other hand, how can he steer cleal
of the difficulty raised by the fact that the radi
cal party is irretrievably committed to protec
Chicago Tribune are free trade papers. 1t is al
so true that since Speaker Blaine's visit to thi
city, the Tribune heretofore obstinate in pin
ming its party to protection, and protection tt
its party, and strong, nay even brutal, i'll its de
nlnciaton of all who failed to agree with thi:
policy, suddenly comedies to every radical tn,
right to support protection or oppose it at will
but the former journals are hardly radical party
organs. While the radical press generally ha:
labored hard to ingraft protection upon its part!
platforms, easily to shake off, now it will not do
for Speaker Blaine to appoint a man like Gen
cra Garfield, who is neither flesh nor fish
The man he appoints must be an unquestion
able revenue refOrmer. or Il positive protec
zionist. If the former, the tariff will be imme
iately cut down after Congress meets-federa
taxation reduced at once to almost 5000 900 ,00(
a year. If the chairman of the committee fail
To accomplish these measures. most of The
| manufacturers and all the merchants are deter
mined to turn their backs on the radical party
| If he carries them out, the radical politician
will be left without adequate means for thu
campaign OF 1872, and the lebt-pay ing, specie
hordin@ and other finance qnddities of tn
| present administration will be stamped wit
! the disapproval of CONGRESSMAN awkward
matter for Grant. The dilemma is great, ant
! the subject has IN important bearing on tn
| Presidential election