Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-16
BUTLER ON THE ELECTIONS.
Republican Extravaganza and Burden
some Taxation the Cause of the Peo-
pies Uprising.
Nelo York World.

Ael0 YORK. World,
General Benjamin F. Butler, GHvernor-
elect Of Massachusetts,, arrived in New York
Monday. A reporter of the World inter
viewed him regarding the recent elections
and asked him TO what cause he attributed
the results. General Butler said 1.-THE
widespread dissatisfaction Of the people
with the administration OF the Federal Gov
eminent is the cause, else the uprising
would not have been so unanimous. There
can have been but one thing done by the
General Government to produce the general
effect, ard hat Is the extravagarce IN ex-
penditure and the enormous burdens of taxa
ton. The collection of over 81 .250, COO for
every working day in the year makes a drain
upon ~ resources Of the country which no
other people would have endured as we have
endured for the past few years. Nor could
this country have borne it but for our enor-
nous agricultural resources. These taxes
fall upon the middle and working classes.
who are the largest consumers OF every
thing, except the Injuries, on which tariff
revenue is collected. They have borne this
burden without complaining, because they
supposed It was the necessary consequence
OF the war and OF the necessity of paying
the national debt. But when they were
awakened by the passage OF the river
and harhnr bill for the expenditure of
SIS, 900 600, passed over the veto Of the Pres
lUelL, IN Y saw tDGf6 nusI Oo some 0T06r
csu than public necessity for such a vast
appropriation Of public money, and they
naturally attributed this 10 the desire OF
those who passed 1t to have funds put into
their districts to carry he pending elpc' ions,
and they were encouraged IN this belief nv
the Presidents words in his veto. The
more the bill gave the more votes IL got,
and when the people learned, In addition To
this piece OF ex raVagance, that there would
be a surplus OF 500 600, 900 In the Treasury.
they became satisfied tha such an amount
OF taxation should no longer be borne. They
also heard declared IN Congress by members
OF both parties and contradicte1, that the
tariff which raised the greater part OF this
great revenue needed revision, yet they saw
no steps taken to revise it."
"Was not the Tariff Commission created
for this very purp0seW
"True, Tariff Commission was provided
to report IT'S conclusions at the next session
of Congress. Everybody would see that IL
q Congress which sat nine months could do
substantially nothing hut pass appropriation
bils-unless the Chinese and Mormon bills
go for something-that in a session of three
months with the holidays out. 1t would of
necessity do nothing else, and therefore, that
It was the intention OF the party leaders to
throw over ali consideration attached upon
the incoming Congress Hence the people
learned that the purpose was to have the
tariff not revised, but kept pending ques-
tiOn until the next Presidential election.
This has caused universal revolt"
"Whst can the Democrats do to be sue
cessful in the mex Presidential election?"
Gary out the principles Of Jefferson and
jackson; enact, whenever they have an op-
porlunity, judicious tariff; bring down
every kind of tax .tiOn o the lowest possible
point consistent with GefraYing the most
economical expenditure OF the public
money; take in hand the monopolies which
are raising the price Of provisions and the
necessaries Of life; leave all local questions
OF government to the several ates and
show, by their moderation, economy, and
Craftsmanship, that they are fitted to govern,
and the people will give their government a
long series Of years IS they gave It to their
fathers -
"Would you advise the Democrats in the
present Congress to vote for swee ping away
at this session all the internal revenue
taxas?'
II would advise their taking them all
away from the producers, because 1 do not
think they ever ought 10 have been levied
in that way; but | very much doubt whether
they ought to be taken away so suddenly
upon spirits and tobacco, because | have
aacertaiped that all civilized countries have
found il convenient and necessary 10 raise
quite large proportion Of their revenue
from that source, and Ii would seem to me
not wise TO put ourselves In opposition 10
the political economy Of the civilized world
without more study than can be given to
the question In sixty days. Besides, when
the whisky and tobacco tax Is to be taken
off the tariff must be revised to meet any
deficiency and he 90 adjusted as 10 become
d permanent rule for the business of the
country"