Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-14
CASEY YOUNG INTERVIEWED
In Regard 10 the Tariff, State
and City Debts, Etc.
Chattanooga Democrat. 10.

The above named distinguished
Congressman from the Memphis dis
trict was in the city yesterday en-
route to Washington. He came by
way OF Nashville, where be spent
several days looking after matters Of
public concern, and was in this city
most of the afternoon.
A Democrat representative met him
at the Read House and sought his
views on leading public matters.
EXTRA SESSION.
RepOrter-Will there be- an extra
session Of Congress2
Mr.. Young-I think not. | say not
because see no great necessity for it.
There will be, as is nearly always the
case, some members who favor it; but
there being no urgent need of further
legislation at present, | deem it safe
to say that there will be no extra
session.
TARIFF.
Reporter-What will be done with
the tariff?
Mr.. Young-Nothing in my opin-
ion, will be done this session, The
time is too short and many members
prefer not to take definite action Just
now.
Reporter-Will not that be the
chief issue in the next Presidential
campaign2
Mr.. Young-Everything strongly
indicates as much; and If it comes |
true you will see the greatest breaking
down OF party lines that the country
has witnessed for many years. There |
are many leading Republicans, YOU |
know, who advocate revision of
the tariff-by revision | also mean a |
lower rate-and many Democrats |
who are Outspoken protectionists. |
An extreme position, either for pro- |
lection or free trade, will certainly
defeat the party that takes it. IfMr. |
Watterson's views are adopted by the
next National Democratic Convention
It will make defeat almost certain.
His views may be right In the alb.
stract but the country is not ready to
adopt them yet, and in my judgment
it would be next to political suicide
to make a Presidential fight upon
them. Upon the other hand, those
who bitterly oppose Mr.. Watterson's
position, Colonel Colyar for instance,
occupy grounds equally, if not even
more, dangerous and indeiensible.
There is distinctive middle ground |
which | think the country will gladly
accept and which | hope the Demo.
cratic party will be wise enough to
advocate.
Free trade, in the strict sense Of the
word, is absolutely impraetioable lust
now All of our industries and all of
the machinery of Government have
been adjusted TO conform to the pres
eDt system, and how desirable soeyer
the Watterson free trade idea NAV be
in the future, it must be sought grad.
ually if We would avert tho dangers
of crash 1t must b remembered
that four hundred and fifty millies
dollars have been raised annually for
necessary governmental purposes and
until ample provisions less burthen-
some upon the country are made TO
supply this demand, ths tariff system
should be toNshed rather gently.
MEMPHIS DEBT.
Reporter-How about the Mempbis
debt; will a satisfactory compromise
be effected2
Mr.. Xopng-Well, yes. | suppose
! may say that a compromise has
practically been reached. At "a large
Of the citizens there a few
nights since a committee was ap-
pointed to make terms of settlement,
which will be done by issuing new
bonds under the city government at
fifty cents on the dollar, with three
and six per cent interest, This, | n
understand, meets the approval Of the
,reditors, lacking only an act Of the
lyeGialature authorizing it to make
he settlement complete.
TIVE STATE DEBT.
There is great determination on
,he part Of the Democratic members, y
aid Mr.. Young, TO settle the debt
question in their own ranks. They
sill act upon il without delay. All
avoy the S0-3 proposition, but there
s some difference about minute de.
ails. The PatteTsoR-Ivis bills will 4
le blended and passed in my opinion. !
Mr. Young is hopeful over the
general political outlook aud regards