Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-16

picnickipg, but the stout ex.Speaker
doesn't mind it n whit. The house, =
quaint. old fashioned structure. is near
ly buried in evergreens and from the
road the place looks indescribably com
Portable and home like Mr.. Randall is
spending few days there and yester
day n reporter found him working like
beaver in his study. Although he
was debating letters TO his secretary, be
stopped to chat half an hour or so about
the political situation and the probable
policy ofthe Democratic Congress on the
tariff question, tho revenue system and
civil service reform. Referring 10 the
November elections Mr.. Randall said !:
al believe the recent Democratic and
Reform successes mean a declaration by
the people in favor OF greatly reducing
public expenses, both in genersl and
local government Such reductions are
easily attAinable and can be secured
without friction to proper administra
tion. Republican control has led TO
extravaganza in every direction and the
people believe, as believe. that those
now in power are not equal to the &C
complishment OF such q result.
There are many questions vital to
the prosperity OF the country Dir. Ran.
dali proceeded TO say, that must be
met, and among the number no one is
of more importance than the doing away
with the internal revenue system. As
for myself, / am in favor Of an absolute
and entire repeal Of all such taxation.
ECONOMY THE THING.
"Now let me tell you why. In the
frat place, the government does not
need the money. The surplus revenue
from all sources last year was about
$l4j, ,0O0, ,0O0-within one million Of the
amount raised under interzl taxation
laws-and surely, with economy, no dini
Guilty can arise from such abrogation.
Now for another reason The internal
taxes are offensive to the people a. n
mode OF raising revenue in this country
and been submitted TO only as = neoessi
ty resulting from the war. The Repub.
licaus made q mistake in not co operat
ing with the Democrats at the last ses.
sion of Congress in securing the propos
ed reduction Of sT0.0O0,00O. Now the
whole system must 60.
"But that is not the end Of this mat.
ter continued the speaker, warming
up visibly with his subject. "This sys.
tenn maintains four thousand people in
office, who are kept by the nation at q
cost Of e.. 900 600 a year. With the re.
peal Of the service this burden will also
be removed from the public shoulders. "
Mr.. Randall then proceeded TO show
how the government could raise the
revenue necessary TO meet its obligations
and expenses. One prolific source Of
revenue was in the form Of customs du.
ties on imports. lie thought a thorough
reform and simplitication of the tariff
laws ives necessary and should be effec.
ted as speedily as possible.
DISCUSSING THE TARIFF.
"Why," said the ex.speaker, with his
well.known energy. these laws we're
enacted during war times and are not
adapted to the existing conditions Of
our commerce and trade. do not IA.
vor tariff enacted upon the ground OF
protection simply for the sake OF protec.
tion, because ! doubt the existence of
any constitutional warrant for any such
construction, or the grant of any such
power. IL would smanifestly be in the
nature OF class legislation, and to such
legislation favoring one class at the ex.
penses of any other have always been
opposed. In my judgment the question
Of free trade will nos arise practically in
in this country during our lives, so long
as We continue TO raise revenue by du.
ties on imports, and therefore the dis.
cussion OF that principle Is an absolute
waste of time. After our public debt is
piad In full, our expenditures can hard.
u be much below 600, ,OO0. 600, and II
this IL levied in business like and in.
telligent manner Il will afford adequate
protection TO every industrial interest
in the United States.
The assertion that The Constitution
permits the levying Of duties In favor Of
protection for the sake Of protection is
equally uncalled for and unnecessary
Both are alike desultaFy and not involv.
ed In any practical administrative poll.
ey. II brought 20 = test Ibelieve Meth
eF would stand for = day. Protection
for the sake OF protection is prohibition,
pure and simple, Of import4tion, and II
there be no importation there will be
no duties collected and consequently
no revenue, leaving the necessary ex.
penses Of The government 10 be colIec.