National Republican., 1883-02-19
ON TIE AVENUE.
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sation with the avenue man last evening,
said: at would be the best thing that could
happen the democratic party If this discussion
could last five years. With the defeat at the
polls in 1880 fresh in our minds many Of us
went into this thing with reluctance and fear
and trembling. Having taken the plunge we
rather enjoy the sensation, and are not anx-
iOus to get through. In the beginning q
majority of the democrats were more
anxious than the republicans to pass a
tariff bill this session, so that the question
could not be an issue of the next presidential
campaign. Now they are strongly disposed
to invite the issue. They have been con-
vinced that tariff for revenue will be the
winning card in 1884. Left to themselves
the republicans could not pass q tariff bill
this session, and they might as well abandon
the hope that they will get help from the
other side. The Randall party cannot swing
more than dozen or fifteen protective votes,
and that won't do much good. The demo-
Gratis would not dare TO oppose good bill, but
those upon which the senate and house are
at work are full of gross imperfections,
and it will be suicidal for the republicans to
pass either of them. Not man in congress
understands the full effect of the proposed
changes in the metal schedule. 1t is certain,
however, that the readjustment of the sched-
ule is in the interest of the Bessemer Steel
company, an organization which embraces ten
or dozen strong iron companies. This COM
pany owns the Bessemer steel patents, and
controls the mills operating under them. The
new schedule puts about every thing hard
under the head of steel in one form or an
other, and imposes prohibtory duty
thereon. Duties have been increased on
pottery, glass, and many of the chem
icals also, which will amount to pro-
hibitory tax on the articles Of foreign manu-
facture. 1t is claimed by the advocates of the
bills that under their provisions the revenue
will be reduced $20,OOO,O00 or thereabouts
The revenue may be reduced that amount, but
only by taxing certain lines ofgoods of foreign
make out of American markets. That sort of
revenue reduction adds to the burden of tax
alton instead of taking from it. 1t is my firm
belief that the democrats will oppose to the
end attempts to pass either the senate or house
bill and stand squarely on their record.
have heard the matter discussed privately q
great deal for the past week. and the current
of opinion has set in strongly in one direction.
The democratic party comes nearer standing
fiat footed on the national platform adopted
in 1850 than it has since the war;" &.
~
Gen. Hazen is sailing on very stormy sea
these times. The Beltzhoover cyclone struck
him amidship and knocked a mast or two
overheard. Darkness set in and big waves of
trouble tossed him about variously. And
now the house committee which has had in
charge the sundry civil bill will report in
favor of appropriating less than 100000 for
the maintainance of the signal service bureau,
when its chief asked for $1,550,000, an in
crease over last year of 100000. Unhappy
is the lot of the weather man. The
danger signals are out, but the shore is liable
to be strewn with wreck any minute. 1t is
understood that the sundry civil bill will be
called up tomorrow. Congress only has
twelve more working days." said perturbed
statesman last evening, " in which TO mature
and dispose Of the tariff bill and the several
appropriation bills. The naval and other
bills sent over to the senate will come back
cut all to pieces, and there may be another
big fight over them. am very dubious"
~
The Michigan people in Washington are
watching the progress of the senatorial fight
in Lansing with close attention There are
about dozen dark horses here, and they ara
on the anxious seat. Although the legisla-
ture is voting for about twenty candidates, it
is believed that the race lies between Gen.
Palmer, of Detroit; Gen. Stockbrdge of Kala-
mazoo, and Representatives Wlletts and
Lacey. "Gen. Stockbridge," explained a
Michigander last night, is regarded as
Ferry's residuary legatee. He has been one
of Ferry's strong hackers, and to prove
his friendship and loyalty for the sena-
tor he has paid lot of his
campaign expenses, including that hotel bill
and other matters He is a rich lumberman,
and a man of considerable strength. In ability
he is average, no more. Gen. Palmer's cam
paign is the best managed, and at the present
time he is the strongest man. In the breakup
his friends kept him down, and distributed
their votes. Their plan was to make him a
growing candidate. Thus far he has only
received ten or twelve votes. He has between
twenty-five and thirty. During the dead.
lock he had ton votes outside of the Ferry
crowd. He was the second choice of seven
teen Ferry men, and can have them when he
wants them 1 expect his managers will
show their hands Tuesday or Wednesday and
press him to the front. Then the west side
of the state will be apt to concentrate on some
man. think Stockton will be pushed, and
his strength tested. If he proves too weak tc
down Palmer, Lacey will be tried. He, too
has been kept back purposely. Were it moi
for the opposition Palmer has on the east side
of the state he would be very likely to win
Tho Detroit Post and Tribune is against him,
and so are its proprietors, Joy, Mcmillan, Je
rome, Algor, Buhl, II. N. Walker, and AlleI
! Sheldon all millionaires and men of large in
fluence. The friends of Conger, Horr, ant
Willetts are opposed to his nomination. Con
ger wants o clear field for reelection, ant
Horr also has an eye to the senate. Gen
Palmer's programme has been to run for gov
: ernor next time, and possibly for senator tw'
years later, and many of his friends wan
T him to adhere TO that arrangement and no
mix in this fight. He is a man Of very larg
wealth and social position, however, and he i
impatient to begin spending part of hi
o $685. 900 income in Washington. He is man o
h fine address and polish, Mr.. Lacey, whom re
: gard as his strongest opponent, isa banker an,
!, grain dealer of Charlotte. He would make a
good senator as any who have been named
Gen. Stockbridge, his strong opponent iron
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