Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-10-31

WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCT, 81, 1888
nlaIne and ihe Surplus Revenue.

Blaine and the Surplus Revenue.
The speech of ex-senator Wallace at
York, last night, in which he exposed
the surplus revenue distribution propo-
sition, should be read by every voter in
Pennsylvania who cares to know the
details, and the meaning of one OF the
most insidious and dangerous political
schemes presented to the country during
the present generation. This utterance
nerIects none Of the branches of the
question. It's unconsttutionality is im-
pressed with all the force that logic and
precedent can impart TO it. Its danger
TO both the general government and the
state, to local institutions and to the
individual, is presented in the simplest
ana yet in the strongest language. Its
place in the general plan of consolida-
ton 80 perseyeringly pursued during the
mast twenty years, is set forth so that no
intelligent man can mistake its de-
sign ana its effects. In addition to all
this. the remedy is suggested and en-
forced that the only way TO distribute
the surplus revenue is not to collect II.
This question passed the limits OF
practical craftsmanship the moment II
was suggested. Its very origin taking II
out OF this category. But it now appears
from Mr.. Stewart's Q speech that Is in
vested with personal significance not
heretofore admitted. 1t is simply pAlt
and parcel Of a scheme to nominate Mr..
Blaine for president. The "plumed
knight lis found TO be strutting under tie
tawdy and bedrabbled feathers of Whar'
ton Barker. The Pennsylvania Repub
licans are simply the decoy which shall
bring game to the aim and loaded gun OF
the historian from Maine. Back of Bar
ker, back Of Kelley, back Of Stewart,
back of harmony, stalks the writer Of
the Mulligau letters, the Fl. Smith rail
road bonds, the convenient sunstroke,
the pyrotechnic prize policy Of the dis.
appointed Blaine. Little, perhaps, did
the Stalwarts of Pennsylvania think
that they were comforting power upon
their worst and most vindictive enemy
when for the sake of harmony and tC
oblige those whom they stigmatIlsd a
" "crauks" and dudes they endorsed
this proposition of an apparently harm
less crank. But Senator Stewart, the
new spokesman Of united party, 50
cllled, has exposed the whole scheme
and in spite Of the shadows OF The
Stalwarts they are marching to the most
familiar Of the Blaine terms.
But such a scheme comporls with tht
nature and the methods Of the Maine
statesman. AS is the individual in hi
private affairs SO he will be in his rcla
ton TO the public, For years since his
entrance into politics Blaine has beei
collecting Il surplus. How it was ob
tlined is notorious. How he has turned
his official position into personal powe
and into money need not be recounted
Bat successful as he has been in collect
ilg surplus he IS not anxious to dis
gorge if the government can be agai
drawn upon TO pay his bills. Hence h
until the effort TO pay out Of the genera
government for his benefit has failed
1t is perfectly natural that he should b
in this scheme. 1t has money in it.
is the giving out of money belonging
the people. 1t has in it the elements
splendor and whatever Blaine does mu
have in it the glare and glitter wit
which his tlwdry life has been made u
He knows nothing of the quiet wOrl
the gradual saving, the pinching ec0l
omy which have created and preserve
the material progress of the COuntr
Therefore, it ought to have been e.
pected that he would be found benin
the policy which proposed TO continue I
take :l6annually from the head of eaC
family in the country in order to iii
tribute it for education for which theI
is no need, and to foster public ey,rayj
gance ard its accompanying corruption