The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-21

in tobacco, the Northern in iron and
steel, and both in Whiskey and matches.
there is chance for little heat and
fire ali around. An interesting feature
of the discussion has been the division
of opinion on that subject which is in
Dictated in the Democratic ranks. Mr..
VOORHEES,, of Indiana, has made as good
tariff speech as Kelley himself. His
early Wing training shows its influence
still. The reticence of the Southern
members suggests the change in their
sentiments and policy which the new
ideas and the growth of manufacture
are working among them. We are
struck with the difference in the
character of the present discussions and
those of the time when Mr.. Clay led
our thought upon this subject. It was
a question then between a protecti0e
and a Te0enue tariff. Men then rea-
soned as if the success Of manufacture
was only problematical; now the actual
success of this and the vast capital in
vested are universally recognized. No
one dreams at present of anything
more than revenue tariff, and that
upon many articles by the necessities
of the war is larger than Mr.. Clay
in his most audacious aspirations ever
asked for. Such have been the unex-
pected conclusions which the logic of
events has forced upon us.
There are two reasons for the present
discussion-one arising from the I'M
equal burden imposed by the existing
law upon several branches of manu-
facture; the other arising from the
gratifying condition of our finances,
whereby the present tariff and system
of taxation produces about $15O,00O,-
900 more than are needed for the public
service. 1t is the aim now tc reduce
the taxation in such manner as to
tighten the burden of the country, and
to so readjust it as to relieve those
articles oppressively taxed, and pro-
cure, if possible, less inequality in its
imposition. 1t is good work, and will
add to the record of several wise meas
ures which the present Congress have
lately passed, despite the general want
of confidence in dog-day legislation.
The country has gained much by their
delay in adjourning.
There has long been an impression in
the West and South that the present
tariff and our system of internal taxa
tion have favored too much certain in
terests and even individuals engaged
in certain branches of manufacture
that there are some capitalists quite
too potential in their influence at
Washington when these questions, so
important to the people, are under dis
cussion. We are of the opinion that
this is mistake, that it has not been
the case, as they imagine; but the great
agricultural sections of our country
can only be disabused of this impress
sion by thorough and honest work
on the subject. Now that Congress
has opened this question it should sit
long enough, even at this late hour, to
do it's work thoroughly. Mistakes the
people can excuse, but neglect and in.
| justice never.
| The excited state of the public mind
on the great questions affecting the re-
lations of capital and labor show clear
ly that the time has come when there
must be thorough and radical investi-
cation into all these causes in legisla-
ton, National and State, whereby
special advantages seem to have been
secured which in the popular mind
have tended to accumulate capital and
depress labor. Experience assures us
that the causes of this tendency to in
equality of fortune in our society, as in
every other, have neither been produc-
ed nor can they be removed by legisla-
ton. But whatever tends to this result
must be ascertained and corrected with
out delay. The people are FESTIVE and
demand to know how much or how lit
tie legislation has to do with this I'M
happy revolution going forward in our
American life. They will only De con-
tent when assured that every proper
means has been employed to guard
them against the dangerous inequali-
ties of foreign society to which we
seem tending, and the honest, in
dustrious and frugal laborer shall be
secured beyond all hazard from COM
binations of capital, in living wages, a
comfortable home, his own independ-
ence, and an equal chance with all in
the future.
OUR WASHINGTON L ETTER.
From our O,0n Correspondent