Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-12-07
Congressional Reforms Needed.
Ex.sPEAKER RANDALL UPoS rHE ISSUES OF
THE DAY SOME WISE UrTERASCEs on
THE TARIFF QUESTION: HOPEFUL
FUTURE.

THE DAY SOME WISE UrTERAScEs on
THE TARIFF QUESTION: HOPEFUL
FUTURE.
Philadelphia Times tnterviev.
Referring to the November elections
Mr.. Randall said IL believe the recent
Democratic and reform successes mean
declaration by the people in favor OF
greatly reducing public expenses. both
in general and local government. Such
reductions are easily attainable and can
be secured without friction TO proper
administration. Republican control has
led to extravaganza in every direction
and the people believe, as believe, that
those now in power are not equal to the
accomplishment of such a result.
There are many questions vital to
the prosperity OF the country Mr.
Randall proceeded to say, "that must
be met, and among the number no one
il of more importance than the doing
away with the internal revenue system.
As Tor myself, | am in favor Of an abso
lutte and entire repeal Of all such taxa.
ton.
ECoSoEr THE THING.
"Now let me tell you why. In the
hrst place, the government does not
need the money. The surplus revenue
from all sources last year was about
Sl45 600 000-within one million of the
amount raised under internal taxation
laws-and surely, with economy. no
difficulty can arise from such abrogA.
ton. Now for another reason The in.
ternal taxes are offensive to the peo-
pie as q mode OF raising revenue in this
country and have been submitted to
only as necessity resulting from the
war. The Republicans made mistake Q
in not cooperating with the Democrats
At the last session of Congress in secur.
ing tho then proposed reduction of $40.
100000. Now the whole system must
go.
"But that is not the end Of this mat.
ter" continued the speaker, warming
up visibly with his subject. This sys.
tenn maintains four thousand people in
office, who are kept by the nation at q
cost Of 5000, 600 year. With the re
peal Of the service this burden will also
he removed from the public shonlders." !"
Mr. Randall then proceeded to show
how the government could raise the
revenue necessary TO merit its obliga
tons and expenses. One prolific source
Uf revenue was in the form OF custom
duties on imports. He thought q thor.
ough reform and simplificAlion of the
tariff laws was necessary and should be
effected as speedily as possible.
DISCUSSING THE TARIFF.
"Wby," said the ex speaker, with bis
we'll known energy, "these laws were
enacted during war times and are not
adapted to the existing conditions Of
our commerce and trade. | do not
favor tariff enacted upon the ground
of protection simply for the sake of pro.
lection, because 1 doubt the existence
of any constitutional warrant for any
such construction, or the grant OF any
such power. 1t would manifestly be in
the nature Of class legislation. and to
such legislation favoripg one class at the
expense Of any other have always been
opposed. In my judgment the question
OF free trade will not arise practically
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 an abso.
lutte waste OF time. After our public
debt is paid in iull. our expenditures
can hsrdIy be much below 500. 600, 600,
and If this is levied ia business like
and intelligent manner il will afford
adequate protection to every industrial
interest ia the United States. The as
sertion that the constitution permits
the levying Of duties in favor of protec.
ton for the sake of protection is equal.
ly uncalled for and unnecessary. Both
are alike desultory and not involved in
any practical administrative policy. II
brought TO a test | believe neither
would stAnd for day. Protection for
the sake Of protection is prohibition,
pure and SIMPLE, Of importation, and
If there be no Importation there will be
no duties collected aud consequently
no. revenue, leaving the inercenary ex.
penses OF the government 10 be collect.
ed by direct taxes, for internal taxes
would interfere with the protection
principle, and when the people were
generally asked TO bear the burden OF
heavy taxation to sustain class legisla.
ton and the interests Of O portion OF
our people 1T The expense OF The great
bulk Of our population. there would be
al emphatic and conclusive negative.
So IL is with free trade. There Is nov
hardly n man in public life who adEo-
Gates II pure and simple. Nobody wants