New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-18
DJVIDTNG ON THE TARIFF.


Mr. Randall has been induced to express his
opinions also. Inasmuch as Mr.. Carlisle, his
competitor in the contest for the Speakership,
had delivered himself at Cincinnati, the OBJ
servations Of Mr.. Randall may be considered
his personal platform in that contest, as wei
as his outline of policy for bis party. These
two gentlemen are not only the most prominent
candidates for position that is not to be Tiled
for more than year; they are also candidates
for the Presidency. With Mr. Mcdonald, OF
Indiana, whose pronunciamentO appeared a
few days ago, they are among the most prob
able candidates. Each devotes especial atten-
ton to the subject of taxation and expenditure,
and particularly TO the tariff. After General
Hancocks experience, they are aware that
man cannot hope to become President by
ignoring this question as "a local issue"
Their three declarations fairly set forth the
only three positions which it is possible for the
Democratic party to take en- the tariff.
Mr.. Mcdonald frankly and tersely advocates
a tariff for revenue only. Mr.. Carlisle, judged
by his ample record, is rs thorough free
trader as anyone in the House, but as a candl-
date he takes the position that no man Of sense
can now talk of free trade or tariff FOR revenue
exclusively that the industries winch have
crown up under protection should not be pros
trated if the Democrats had power, and that
changes toward removal of protection should
be made so gradually and cautiously as to hurt
nobody. Mr.. Randall, on the other hand, being
as far q protectioGist as Democrat can afford
to be- tries to commend himself to the free
traders who form the bulk Of his party adYo-
Gates removal of all internal taxes, and "a
thorough reform and qualification OF the tariff"
which may mean anything or nothing. But,
he says, duty of $500, 100000, levied i'll
business-like and intelligent manner, will
Stafford adequate protection to every industrial
"intcrest in the United States. He Processes
to find no constitutional warrant tor va tariff
ain favor of protection for the sake of prOtec-
"lion," and this is supposed to commend
him 10 free traders. But he thinks economical
government will require $2O0,OOO,0OO even
after the debt is paid and duty yielding that
sum will Stafford adequate protection to every
industrial interest"
1t is scarcely necessary to say that Mr..
McDonalds position is the only one that does
not aim to evade the issue. But let working
men and manufacturers consider first that Mr..
Randalrs offer Is the very best that they can
Democratic party. A tariff yielding a revenue
ST 5000, coo, adjusted not for the sake
of protection,n viii afford all the protection
that Mr. Randall thinks adequate. Whether
this satislies the Judgment of the wOrkingmen
IS for them to say But Mr.. Randall is too able
n man not to be- entirely conscious Of his eva
sion. He knows that the revenue yielded is no
indication of the character of % tariff. No
dutyat all, AID an absolutely pGOhibtOry duty,
will Weld exactly the same srm-nOthing. A very
low and utterly ruinous revenue duty, and
very high and almost prohlbltory duty, also,
will yield exactly the same sum. SO duty
low enough to yield large revenue, without
protectioU enough to prevent the destruction
of home manufacture. may put precisely tho
same sum INTO the Treasury as duty high
enough to limit importations and afford very
effective protection.
The principle upon which Mr. Mcdonald
stands is that the low duty which yields reve-
nue. without protection is the boat, because it
has least effect to enhance the cost of homo
products The principle of Mr.. Carlisle is that
the country ought to move toward such low
duty gradually, and only SO fast ~ it may be
politically safe to move. The principle Of Mr..
RAINFALL Is thaC Tile HlSDer uuty, III retainer aC
all, must be clOaked and excused by the I'M
founded pretext that il is needed to raise large
revenue. When the pretext will not hold any
longer, the duty must go because MI. Randall
can find no warrant for taxation for the sake
of protection" The honest and frank position
which Republican proteotionists take, on the
other hand, is that it pays 10 pay high price
for the small quantity which we buy abroad, in
order to build up the home Industry that soon