Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-14
The sneakershin Contest.

Mr.. Carlisle is in Washington, and has
there begun MS canvass for the Speaker
ship. Mr.. Randall and Mr.. Cox, his COM
petitors. are expected to arrive there
some time this week. The present outlook
is that the election Of a Speaker VIII not
be long DELAYED after Congress meets.
Mr.. Carlisle is not entirely confident OF
his election. but he expresses the opinion
that he will be the choice Of the caucus
on the second OF third ballot. According
70 his figures. he is certain Of eighty votes
on the first ballot. He gives Mr.. Randall
sixty. and Mr.. Cox the majority Of the
remainder. When his strength Is made
apparent by the first ballot taken, he
believes that he will have no difficulty in
getting the nomination. His refusal
10 make promises or 10 give pledges Is
commendable. and ought to strengthen
him IN his canvass. \ man who bargains
away the Chairmanships Of committees
and all the desirable places in his gift for
support Is unworthy of the high Office Of
Speaker. He deprives himself Of all pow
er to serve the country OF his party in the
event Of his election. The man who can
form a little combination and control
few votes which he wants TO trade for the
Craftsmanship Of a committee may be the
man TO do his party great mischiefin any re-
snonsihle position. The Democratic party
cannot afford TO have incompetent or
tricky men in responsible places. Demo
cratic success in 81 requires that the
Democrats in the next Congress
shall have "a clean record and
make no blunders. The Speaker
must De master Of the situation. This he
cannot be if he secures his election by
pledges. promises and bargains. Mr..
Carlisle has been misrepresented respect
ing his tariff views. The charge is made
and reiterated that he is a believer in
absolute Tree trade. The charge cannot
tie sustained by anything which he has
said in his speeches or private converse
ti0ns. He Is believer in rev
euue reform. and his position on
this subject Is stated by himself
as follows: Il think il entirely safe to say
that while there Is a very. general feeling
Of dissatisfaction with the existing sys-
TEN of unequal and unjust tariff taxation,
there Is no disposition 10 strike radical,
much less a fatal. blow at any Of the great
mechanical OF manufacturing interests OF
the country. Nor is il necessary. in my
judgment. 70 strike such blow in order
u afford a reasonable degree of relief to
the people. We cannot close our eyes to
the fact that under this system, whether
il was originally wise or unwise, large
and valuable interests have grown up,
that great masses Of capital have
been withdrawn from other pursuits
and embarked in manufacturing enter
urises. and that labor, following as it
always does where capital leads, has been
To a great extent diverted from its pre-
yi0us channel. and has permanently iden-
titled itself with these various interests.
In any revision Of the tariff that may be
made. proper regard should be had for the
welfare Of these great interests, and they
should be carefully considerable alone,
not as something separate and distinct
from the other industries of the country,
not as the special fayOrites of the govern
ment having peculiar claims Onits bounty,
but in connection with every other legiti-
mate interest in the country, all being
recognized and treated as equally entitled
to favorable consideration
These views will commend themselves
/ TO the masses of the people for their fair
ness. They are much fairer than the views
on the tariff entertained by Mr.. Randall
and his friends. the protectiOnists. There
is "A surplus Of revenue which must be got
rid Of Mr.. Carlisle wants to get rid of it
by reducing tariff taxation, but not to an
extent that will damage any industrial
interest. The protectionists want TO get
rid of it by preserving the mOnOpolistic
features Of the tariff, and by running GER
tain Industrial interests-fOr instance, the
sugar industry.
Mr.. Carlisle. while his record is right,
and while his views on all great questions
are in harmony with those Of a majority
of his party. lacks the tact and arts OF the
politician. These Mr.. Randall has in an
eminent degree, and, although Mr.. Car
Isle now seems to have the lead, they may
be sufficient 10 overcome his advantages
in other respects.