New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-24

publican success this Fall"
SENATOR DAVIS ON PUBLIC QUESTIONS
HIS VIEWS GIVEN IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST
FROM o. II. BRowNING-CENTRALIzATIo THE
THIRD TERM, THE TARIFF AND OTHER MATTERS
WASHINGTON. May 23.-The following corre-
spondence between o. H. Browning formerly Sec
retary of the Interior and Senator David Davis, OF
Illinois, has been furnished for publication by MI
James E. Harveyi - -, ,,.--e ,ooo
Ny DEAR JuDdE: The approaching close OF tho pres
ent session OF Congress w it is TO be feared leave
questions unsettled which are OF large pubic interest
and which materially affect the peace and tue pros
perity OF the Union. Many of your IIiends d ~
ths State ana thrOngh99t the oGSEnnv %eSE mdf Would
have been offered In the Senate by which your views I
country II unfortunately happens amasS Ce h the
tiOns of party and the strfes OF rival ambitions hI to
SG Of 6 Readed hs was SS
at the present time. The country is just emerging from
GnF d SrGG scod @ s ana dcsro to avoid
of the pes through which they have passed cney
C1 between the sections The aes9daa an Wn0 0uSe Sp
benefaGtor Ihnve ventured TO embody 10 the form OF
inquiries appended TO this letter some OF tne euyeGs
upon which your opinions desired If It be agreeable
to you to comply with the request OF large body OF
voters ana friends, without distinction Of party Truly
The Hon DAVID DAVIS. United States Senate.
SENATOR DAvIs's REPLY.
WAsHINGToN May H. 1880.
Ny DEAR SIR have had the pleasure to receyeyour
letter of the 9th inst. As constituent, friend and an
honoed citizen Of Illinois you have Dericce reht 10
ask for my views public questions, and have no
hesitation in expressing them, taking the inquiries III
the order presented.
Permanent prosperity and fraternal fellowship add
are only to be attained by s!lenelnG en- G,ons sec
tuition tuition aud all the Amendments strict obscr-
vance OF the laws in conformity theTewlth "a ana ~
equal rights and equal protection for every cizen 10
every part OF the Republic will soon end the dsc9Tds
that have too long vexed the country and iniured7ts
material welfare. The people are weary OF agltation
and want peace.
The Constitution wisely defines the respective limits OF
the Federal and state Governments under happy and
approprate sphere and both operate concuUently TO
protect the integrity and stability Of the Union Any Gu
ry dsocates the machinery OF the Constitution aud IN
wolves danger TO tho whole body polite In fact every
departure from the charter OF liberty and law y
attended with peril The demand made by adherents OF
one OF the great parties for strong government means
substantially centralized government. destructive OF
Mr. Lincoln well described as a government OF tho pco
Pile by the people, and for the people Carried to iis
logical conclusion, such change would finally over
'hrO" 'he H'puOiici THE THIRD TERM.
An innovation upon the sancthcd traditions or the
ton is urgently dcmnnded by powerful interest in the
Republican pnrty II the limitation Of Two terms mere
tOlore universally accepted be destroyed. the way TO
selfperpcuating Presidency Will be opened by the use
aud abuse OF the enormous public patronage. Brchk
down this barrier and an end OF the experiment OF c
publican government looms up darky rs the cost oi
fatal concession.
GREAT CORPORATIONS.
The rapid growth OF corporate IOwer and the mnllgn
influence which II cXeFs by combinations on the Ma
tiOnal aud state Legislatures, IL well grounded cause
OF alarm struggle is impcndlne in the near future
between this Overgrown power with its vIt rainuca
tons all over the Union eud hHrd grip on nuch OF tne
political machinery, on the one hand ana the people IN
unOrgauizcd condition on the other for control OF
the Government II VIII DO watched by every patriot
with intense Interest.
Neither laws nor commissions created under them
will ehecualy re'oIm the many ana g,ring anuse- ..
evaded. and the latter are poweress for good. An
honest executive b't on real and not simulated reform
has abundant authority 10 mkcit effective every where
II nc has the capacity to see his duty ana the courage
TO perform 1t.
Experience has demonstrated that subsidies In any
form are sources OF corruption ana ought 70 forbidden
Private enterprises that depend for success upon leg sa
tiOn procured by Venal agencies do not deserve puoc
favor.
More than 1jOOOO,OOO acres Of valuable lands. ana
been voted by Congress to railroad corporarons The
remaining lands should be sacredly reserved for cu
chance TO implOye his connOn and TO up future
for his children away from tue seductons OF the great
REVISION or THE TARIFF.
Tariff practically means taxation, aud all taxation not
eqiitaby adjusted Is odlous While the interest on Pu
oppressive public debt the pensions eaIucd with the
and the regular expenses OF carrying on the Govern
ment TO be met duties on imports must continue to
furnish one Of the sources OF revenue SO long those
duties are levied manufacturers VIII be benefited qc
cOTding TO the degree or the mode In which the duties
confused mass of ncOngruitcs and mOuopOcs, created
by special legislation and 10 constant fraud the
revenue. lt taxes the consumer Heavily on those att
cles especially that most needed by the tOiling
masses Il taxes every newspaper every school book,
every Bible, and the salt OF the wOrkngmAn with grJeA
injustice because the poor prctcncc Of does not
exist TO cover the wrong revision, therefore, which
should be promptly aud efficiently made.
THE PUBLIC DIET.
The dcDt OF the United states III round numbers Ia two
thousand millions deductinR the boarded coin In the
treasury. The interest upon 10 last year
hundred millions. These are appalling figures. Tho
rapid extinction OF this debt IL desired, first because
dlmn5nes present burdens, and for the additional
that OF the effects OF personal national
debts TO create preferred class to live incomes aud
from under laws. Having the projection
the Government home and abrOad they would con-
tribute nothing TO It's support.
ECONOMY
II Is practicable ny cooperation between the EXeci-
tive ana Congress 70 reduce tho public expenditures
many millions annually without impniTing the efficiency
OF the public service. Retrcnchmcnt is needed tho
reduction OF taxes but II Is also needed because properly
administered would become potent factor In reform
ing the civil Service.
ELECTIONS
The ballOtbOx should be the safeguard OF the Rcpub.
hc for IL Is intended 10 express the free will 0f free
people. Therefore, elections ought be EXEMPT from
the presence OF any mcnacng force aud TO free
the contamination OF corrupt Returning IOards. No
party deserves confidence that seeks uHccndancy bY
striking down honest suffrage, either by the use Of
troops b8 fraud, or by intimidation 10 would not be
pending or proposed IN Congress. Ny votes Will spcuk
Tor tnCmsevesnt the tttinR time.
Having thus freely answered your inquiries may
add in conclusion that my support will be cheerully
given any candidate President who In good faith
Will strive to carry ont this general line OF policy
which, my Judgment, Is OF far Importance than
the ambition OF any tho success Of any
party. As ever, YOuF friend, DAVID DAVIS,
The Hon. q. II. BROWNING, Quincy, III.