Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-25
TIRIFF GOSPEL.

mr. WattersOn he's defined his platform
for 1884, and in doing SO has given an in
depreciation TO the mush misunderstood
and misused phrase, ga tariff fer revenue
only" His statement is as follows:
The phrase tariff for revenue only may in
deed have to ''slide,' and, if SO, joy go with it;
but, if it does it Will have to be, and it will be-
succeeded by phrase meaning the same thing
that Is, that when the government has got its
revenue the tax shall stop, ard that no Uore
revenue shall be levied collected than is re-
quired to support the government economically
administered. That is all there is in tariff for
revenue only, and SO much the party Of revenue
reform meant by the election Of Carlisle.
As the editor of the Courier-Journal was
the author of the phrase which proved
quite mischievous, it is well that
he has the wisdom not to adhere to that
which put a club into the hands of the
enemy. The masses of the people are in
entire agreement that no more revenue
should be levied than is required for the
support of the government honestly and
economically administered. In this connec-
ton the views of SO prominent Republ1-
can business man as Mr.. Marshall Field
Of Chicago may be quoted
with instructive suggsstiveness.
His position he states as follows:
I am decidedly in favor Of revenue reform, if
it is intelligently planned and gradually brought
about. The party that will pledge itself to this,
and will also stand for honest money and civil
service reform, will in my opinion receive the
endorsement Of the people. 1t is high time that
| taxing the many for the benefit of the few
should be done away with. The present condi-
| ten of business throughout the country to-day
is due to the protective system. See how every
| thing is overdone, and the immense ovsr-pre-
duction everywhere. Iren rails would not be sell
ing to-day for $95 ton, If the protective tariff
had not stimulated the building of 80 many
great mills. What is needed is gradual progress
toward free trade, SO that we may sell our man.
ufactures in other markets than our own. The
growth of our industries has been great that
we can no longer consume our own products,
and must needs find an outlet for the surplus
In the markets of the world. This we cannot
do as long as the tariff is allowed to remain in
its present condition.
To the query if tariff reduction would
not cause large falling IN the revenues
of the government, Mr.. Field said he
thought not, for the reason that lower du-
ties would tend to do away with SNUG
CLING, now SO largely carried on and
against which honest importers
are unable to contend. Lower duties
would largely increase bonsat importa-
tons and thus make up for the reduction
of the tax. Upon the question of method
for formulating plan for gradual change
in the tariff, Mr.. Field said:
'Of course it could not be satisfactorily done
by recommendations of any special interest to
congress. These people who GO down to Wash
lpgton to secure notifications of the tariff have
their selfish interests to serve. The last tariff
commission was fraud, as we all know, but
still think that committee of business men
of integrity and high standing could be selected
who could devise ystem which would work to
the advantageof the whole country
The position of this business man is
that he is in favor of gradual and intel
ligent reduction of the tariff such as
the industries of the country will
safely bear, and it is his opinion that
which ever party adopts it is bound to win.
An ex-Repu blicsn congressman of Ohio.
discussing the matter in connection with
Mr.. Carlisle's election said:
ST always liked him, (Carlisle). He is
neither rash radical. Hell classed as a free
trader, but he is for the reform of the tariff and
| that must come. His election was q recogni-
ton of the inevitable. apprehend no danger
from his advancement, buerather good He Is
as safe Democrat as know of. lido not
think the people will trust the Democratic
party next year with words for revenue reform.
Their plank must b explicit; no common
pledge will do them any good. find large
element of Republicans pleased with the tn
umphs of the principles represented by Carlisle,
but they fear the Democratic party pledge
from the Republican National convention for
this reform will go ten tines as far with the
mass, and 1 think we viii have it in no am
biguous terms, and VIM
Thus it is seen the Democratic position
rightly understood points directly to the
welfare of the nation. That position is the