The Benton weekly record., 1882-12-07
BEN BUTLER INTERVIE WED
tauses of Republican Defeat-ReSv
I'd 1n0Cr3tS ah0uaQ use A4
Opportunity.

New York, Nov. 13.-Benjamin =.
Butler, governor-elect Of Massachusetts
vas ar the Fifth Avenue hotel this even
inc and was interviewed atsOme length on
the results of the recent election. Among
tbe causcs of the Republican defeat, III
his opiuion. was widespread dissatls-
faction on the part Of the people with the
manner in which the government had con-
Quoted its administration. 1t had been eA-
trayagant in expenditures, and the cohse-
nnent enormous burdens Of taxation came
unon the middle classes and the Worklhg-
,nan The river and harbor bill was
another cause Of dissatisfaction on the part
Of the people. Speaking Of the tall1i COM
mission, he said: 'It was created WltE1 the
intention Of throwing the whole question
of tariff revision into the next or lncon-
ing Congress, thirteen months hence EF-
erybolv knew tl,at nothing could lie done
IN :I,c way of revision during the short
geSsion."
Did the failure to reduce taxation al
feet b!tsiness?"
..No. Excessive taxation produces a
denression III business and wages rake
drv goods for example. The sales have
been less this autumn than at any other
time. The depression in wages caused
corresponding rise in provisions, and nu-
merous strikes have occurred in conse-
quence.'
"What result, in your opinion, will fol-
low this election?"
s"The impossbility Of any immediate re-
suits from an election is one Of the ln1eLl-
cities Of our form Of government. In
England it is different. There, an elec~
tion can change the House of Commons III
one night. Here, we cannot change our
Executive except once in four years. NO
substantial change will, therefore, occur
until 1885. The appropriation bills passed
bv the next Congress will not take effect
until July, 1884"
"Is it probable that the internal reVe-
nue. taxes will be reduced at the next sess-
ion?"
ssNo; [ think the necessary appfopri-
alton bills only will be passed. There may
he An attempt made to reduce Internal
revenue taxes in whole or in part. Ii
would be natural for the Republican lea
derg to do that Possibly the Democrats
will oppose the attempt, SO as to get all
the credit in the coming Congress. AT all
events. it will not be done after the plan
Of the present chairman Of the house CONF
mittee on ways and means. AS l have
frequently said in my speeches, theoretl-
cally free trade is best for all, but with the
immense necessary expenses OF the gov
ernment it will be practically Impossible.
For many years to come revenues must De
raised Indirectly by custom duties. There
can be sufficient incidental taxation to pro-
tect every American industry. Internal
revenue taxes, as for instance upon Whls-
ky, must be swept away, OF at least put
upon consumers instead of the producers,
as at present"
"What are the chances OF eiectlng a
Democratic President?"
II am not u prophet nor the son OF a
prophet, and hence ought not to be called
upon to prophesy."
'What can the Democrats do to profit
by their recent success?'
sThey can carry out the principles Of
Jefferson and Jackson. They can enact a
iudicious tariff, cut off al surplus, excep-
tional, and questionable expenditures:
bring down taxation to the lowest posi-
bic point, take III hand the monopolies
which are raising the price of provisions,
and they can, in these times Of peace,
bring back the action Of the federal gov
ernment into the narrowest possible
limit"