Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-07

taught
When Mr.. Blaine was appointed Secretary Of
State the country was promised, If not by him
directly, al least by those who assumed to speak
Tor him, foreign policy that would have for its
object the extension of American commerce and
the protection OF American interests. Very general
approval OF this intended policy was signified
The opinion that the foreign policy of this govern
nent, for some years past. Ind been entirely too
conservative, was generally expressed. On every
hand Great Britain was extending her commerce
In all parts Of the globe. She even reached out
ard took trade that naturally belonged to this
country, and good many people thought 1T
was about time that our government should be
taking the field In behalf of American trade and
commerce.
The question now comes up. without regard to
Mr.. Blaine or the charge that he is seeking solely
70 make political capital by his course, whether the
policy he has initiated is not a good one, and
should not be sustained by the administration fn
behalf Of American interests Great Britain clingS
tenaciOusly To every commercial advantage she
Obtains No power can drive her to abandon
trade where profit Is even remote, by hOneyed
words. The unanimity with which the English
PRESS condemns the g Blaine policy has alto
gesher suspicious look. English interests in
Scuth America render the British press very unsafe
advisers for the United States.
As the question of modifying our present system
q internal revenue taxation is now under consid-
Grafton, the hardship OF the stamp tax prOprie-
tary Notwithstanding all patent medicines-is
beng urged with no little force by the parties ag-
grleved Originally imposed as war measure
and never Justified, except as such, it amounts
practically to an exactOn OF ten per cent on all
receipts of buSineSS.-a burden which, it is held
no industry ought 10 be compelled to bear. The
manufacturer is required by the present law to-
DUThaSp. cancel and a tn
rase item OF goods before 1t leaves his possession,
although no protection is afforded him by the gov
eEnment against the infringement of his trade
mark, and Notwithstanding that the elements en-
tcffng into the composition Of the proprietary ar
dele are all taxed in their original form. In the
1ase twenty years proprietary medicines have paid
insO the nted states Treasury fully $50, co.,
sm, doubtless, several times greater than all the
accumulated savings OF the manufacturers them
serves: and since the necessity no longer exists
sW the imposition of this tax justice, both to the
proprietor. who is the immediate sufferer, and to
the consumer, upon whom the burden must ulti-
nately fail, seems 10 demand its early repeal.
The present system OF producing vaccine virus
has removed the only objection that was ever
urged to vaccination upon any sensible ground
When ii was customary to use virus taken from
The human person, there was, of course, danger OF
mnoculation from an unhealthy or diseased sub
animal direct, and due regard for the protection
o. communities ought to prompt those who feel
D0nerent as to themSelves to be yaccinated
Physicians agree, and the records sustain Them
tnat wherever a thorough system OF vaccination
has been employed the smallpox has been con-
Quered even after Ii had obtained foot-hod. 1t
looks like an extreme proceeding to resort To COM
puisory vaccination in a country where in
olvbiual liberty is every mans right; but unless
the smallpox, now epidemic in SO many localities
abateS, this measure may become necessary.
There Is a suspicion that the anti-pOlygamy bill
passed IN the House yesterday is really intended
70 operate as a bar to the admission of Delegate
Cannon, OF Utah, TO Il seat in the present Con-
grs-sS and that the House adopted 1t without see
Ing the point IL is understood that the elections
committee viii report In his favor, but under a
rigid construction OF the terms OF this BILL should
pass the Senate and meet with executive ap-
prevail prior 10 the submission OF the report In the
Cannon case, that gentleman could not take his
scat.
Once more the worm has turned News comes
from Indiana that three burglars were killed while
Trying % break into and rob a saloon In Tunnel
ton, i'll that state, last Sunday night few
such results as this would tend to make the crime
Of burglary less common in Washington where
the makers and executors OF the laws practically
lesye the people 10 protect themselves from the
numerous assaults OF midnight visitors.