The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-28
The MACHINERY Moves.
washington star, Ind.l

washington star, lnd.I
The Democrats are taking steps to
meet the questions of tax reduction
and tariff revision with something like
harmony of action in congress. The
caucus of Democratic senators yester-
day authorized the appointment of a
conference committee, and, of course,
the Democrats of the house will re-
spond by the appointment of similar
committee. AS the Democrats can
not control legislation or even the
order of business, being in the minori-
ty, their early action toward party
alignment looks as if they either ex-
pect to be put on the defensive or have
a policy with regard to revenue and
tariff which they intend to stand by.
Upon the question of reduction of
taxation it would appear to the unini-
tiated in political tactics that there is
very little need for consultation in
either party. Both parties agree that
the taxes should be reduced, and each
vieS with the other in professions
of willingness to vote for reduction.
But in treating the subject when it
shall come prominently before the
country for legislation at the hands of
congress there is room for great deal
of political fineSSe, and in view of the
approaching presidential battle, each
party realizes that it cannot afford to
lose single point in the game. There
is wide difference between the ways
in which the Republican and Demo
cratic parties want to reduce taxation.
The Democrats favor taking a very
large slice of the reduction out of the
tariff; while the Republicans prefer
to cut it from internal revenue. 1t
only needs review of the latter part
of last session to show how a PROPOSE
ton that meets popular favor and
is approved by both parties in con-
gress may fail because of a conflict
of opinion as to the manner in which
it should be accomplished. At that
session the Republicans, approaching
the force of public sentiment in favor
of tax reduction. and the effect that
legislation in that direction might
have upon the then approaching cleo
tons, gave their support to measures
providing for the abolition of certain
taxes. The Democrats, while declar-
ing and reiterating their desire for re-
duction, really defeated these meas
ures because they did not cut off such
taxes as the Democratic party wanted
abolished. The indications are that
the same state of affairs will arise
during the present session, unless
party spirits on each side yield much
more than is usual. Measures
proposed by the Republicans
for the abolition and reduction
of internal revenue taxes will be
amended by the, Democrats so as to
cut down the tariff. This would re-
vive the old issue, and though both
parties would go ON record protesting
its anxiety to. meet the popular de-
mand for reduction, each would
charge the failure to do so upon the
other. 1t is because of this conflict of
opinion as to the method of reduction
that the party caucuses are held in
advance of action upon this subject,
for it is no secret that the Repubi-
cans also intend to confer together be-
fore anything is done or attempted.
As the Star has hitherto remarked. re-
sponsibility for or failure to cut off
some of the unnecessary taxes at this
session will be visited upon both par
ties, and neither can hope to escape its
share of blame by charging the other
with it all.