New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-13
PRDTCE THE TAXES.


l. would NOT he safe for the Republicans t.
hermit the next session of Congress to pass
without important reductions in taxation and
in expenditures Wide differences of opinion
exist if is true. as TO the kind of reduction that
should he made. But there can be no ques-
zion that the refusal of Congress to make any
reduction in the taxes at the last session caused
much public indignation, contributed largely
TO the defeat of many Congressman and rem
dered many thousand Republicans more will
ing to rebuke Executive misconduct by de-
feating their party. When Congress was in
session, THE TRIBUNE urged that 1t would not
he safe for the majority to be thwarted on that
subiect, Most OF the Republican members re-
allied this. They tried to cut down the taxes
TO some extent, but were beaten by Democratic
votes. A majority that has notresolution and CO.
hesion enough to do its evident duty loses public
confidence, even though nlne-tenths OF the OPP
posing votes may have been cast by the other
marty. The business of the majority Is to use
the mower intrusted to them. If they tail, they
take the consequences.
Perhaps il will not be easier now to cOncen-
trate all the votes of the majority upon definite
measures than it was last spring. But there is
now a powerful incentive to action which did
not then exist. Many Republicans then seemed
TO be drunk with power and patronage and re-
cent victory. They acted as if they could not
conceive it possible that the party should be
beaten. Now their eyes are opened. Demo
cratic House will follow them. II they neglect
to reduce taxation, they will leave most pow
erful weapon for the Democrats to seize and
USE Any Republican who wants to see the
party ever succeed again must now be strongly
| impelled to set aside his private preferences
and individual judgments, to remember that
the hangers-On Of the party who are found at
Washington are not the people OF the United
States, and to unite if possible with other Re
pubcans in such a change of taxation as will
satisfy the public desire.
II would be most desirable If the Republican
party could agree within itself upon policy to
| be pursued in this matter at the coming SEES
sion. Tho Democrats will Obstruct and make
mischief if they can. But there is much less
harmony among them than among the Republic
cans. Nearly all the Republican members did
agree at the last session upon some IN measures,
and they will have to aid them in determining
upon policy this winter the expressed wishes
of the people, the report of the Tariff Commits
eepcy. Failure to carry an effective measure
of reduction would now be so plainly disas-
trous to the party, and calculated to promote
Democratic success. that sincere Republican
can with difficulty be induced to incur that
risk by stubborn refusal to act with the ma
jorty.
II il 10 be hoped, in the interest of protection
TO home industry, that the Tariff Commission
will present some measure OF substantial I'M
proycment. The tariff unqueStlonably needs
notification Not only should it be made less
complicated and vexatious. 1t would protect
industry great deal better If IN some OF Its
features it should be materially reduced. An
intelligent commission ought to be able TO
MONT out these features and TO propose the
measure of reduction which can then be made
with benefit to industry. But the Republicans
cannot take stronger ground with the people
than in defending and maintaining the principle
that the tariff should be so adjusted as to pro-
mote home industry. There Is no popular
movement toward an abandonment OF that
system What the people do want Is better
adjustment of duties, so that the same end or
better may 10 reached with less friction, bur
den and vexatOn
The greater part of the reduction OK taxation
will be in the internal revenue. Nearly all Re-
publicans were agreed at the last session that
the minor taxes should be abolished. The ques-
ton of difficulty will be as to tho removal of the
whole or part of the taxes on whiskey. beer,
and tobacco. On that point q readiness to
make some sacrifice of individual Judgments
and preferences for the common good will be
necessary. Members cannot afford to forget
| that they are representatives, not of special
interests or confined districts, but OF the whole