The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-15
THE TARIFF COMMISSION.
What IL said About II by Leading
Republicans and Editors.

Gath writes to the Cincinnati En-
Quirer: President Arthur is getting
more kicks than gingerbread for the
selection of the tariff commission,
and its report will have no more
influence than cold-water reform
preached by set of ducks. Henry
Ward Beecher pitched into the
president at q revenue reform dinner
last night, Notwithstanding Conk-
ling and Beecher stood up together
when the jury went out. Beecher
said he read over the names of the
members of the newly-appointed
unknown except in special lines of
business. Each member of the COM
mission was violent protectiOnist.
He saw President Arthur in Wash
ington two or three weeks ago, and
told him that there ought to be at
least three free traders appointed
out of the twelve members of the
commission. The president looked
at the speaker ga little concerning"
and asked: "Why, Mr.. Beecher, are
you free traderT eyes, sir, am,
from the crown of my head to the
soles of my feet"
three free-traders could have been
put on the commission he should
have liked to see David A. Wells,
Edward Atkinson and Thomas G.
Sherman appointed. 1t was not the
purpose of congress, in the appoint
ment of the tariff commission, to
present to the country a fair exhibit
of both sides of the tariff question.
1t was proposed by congress to
throw overheard the system of in
ternal taxation. There was no use
of free-traders laboring with the
present administration or the pres
ent congress. When it was desired
to strike Washington the best way
was to go as far away from Wash
ington as possible. 1t would be wise
to circulate information among
boilers OF every class, and by and by
some of the members of the present
congress who want to go back will
find themselves left at home. The
best men to put in public offices
were those who did not want to go
there; but the best men to think
about and to effect reforms were
men who held no offices whatever.
Turning to David A. Wells, Mr..
Beecher said that he was a man who
had a vast deal of knowledge and
wisdom, but he could not obtain
even the lowest Office IN congress.
New York Timesl.
The commission was intended by
the authors and chief advocates of
the bill providing for its appoint
ment to be Pretectionist device for
preventing any attempt st a radical
reform, and the president seems to
have adopted this view of its utility.
! There is not one among the men
nominated who has any reputation
as authority on economical ques-
| tions; nor is there single repre-
sentative of the policy which de-
mands a more liberal commercial
policy on the part of the govern
ment. On the other hand, the body
| is so strongly representative of pro-
tective interests that it has the char
acter of packed jury. 1t might as
well formulate its recommendations
first, and then enter upon an inquiry
for the purpose of furnishing arg1-
ments to support them. That will
practically be its method. What is
to be expected of commission con-
stituted like this? There is scarcely
a chance of thorough investiga-
ton, calculated to furnish the basis
for broad and enduring policy.
There is not even the ma
terial from which n strong mi
nority report might be expecie Z.
There Is no hope even for vlgI-