The sun., 1883-12-16

We should like to soc n general discussion
of II measure of public policy suggested by
Gov BUTLER of Massachusetts in his speech
at the Chamber OF Commerce dinner about n
fortnight ago.
Tho time and space that have been wasted
in examining or in seriously attempting to
rcfutc Mr.. BLAIEE'S absurd argument in
favor of distributing the whiskey revenue
among the States might have been more
pro,itably devoted TO a consideration OF Gen
BUTLERS plan. 1t is not ridiculous 1t is
not nrbulouS. 1t is not unconstitutional. 1t
is worth examining carefully in all its details
and relations
Gen. BUTLER proposes TO reduce tho
surplus revenue of the Government without
sacrificing protection to American industry
and at the same time to rcvvify American
commerce on the seas without direct sub-
sidirs. His plan thus works two ways. Let
him present it in his own words
our fathers built up the commerce Of this country
until AT the beginning Of the almost rvaled that
of England Ilowt What was The secret They raised
rerenne as raso by customs duties imports but
they put dihrrentin duties many things that were
brought here III favor of American bottoms That
arN for protection OF commerce II not - tariff
for protection by dminuton not by Increasing cost
goods brought in American bottoms than on goods
brought in foreign bottoms This brought up com.
merce, This was the faiher-nny have not tile right
hgure-thr nursing mother OF our commerce
why are our ships substantially swept away from
tie ocean now IL Is BECAUSE not OF any law of Con
grcss with single exception two hut by the treaty,
making power, those dferentai duties have been de,
sroyed hy one by Ministers that went abroad and
sought ri OF infant immortality bY making treaty
OF commerce Now then you want reduction OF the
tariff Nbplyl lne hat Thn styiri
lent Pennsy lvnna and Massachus tits protec
aud If there are any more rhOd gentlemen upon the ques
tion than they don't know them aughtsrlare willing
that someting should come OIL Very we'll. take 1t on
aud put II on the shipping In that way not subsidy
wruns from the people but difference wruns from
rivals Diminish ysnr revenues that way Diminish
the tarih that way and make rival pay the higher
| tax Any dlhculty On this question gentlemen msr
chants' You know more than do this topic by
far IL there any difficulty In your bringing all tn,
goods such tsrn be collected on all the goods thai
| come across the waer' Ten per esnt. less when
brought in your ships than when brought In British
lins o steamers L. there any difficulty IN doing that
Much as have listened to my friends eulogy Of III,
| closc Intimacy of England with tins country, | an st
| much Of Yankee aud American that would n litil,
rather that our commerce sh0dld lie carried on II
| American rather than EGglish vessels"
Gen, BurLRR then proceeded to consider
| the first aud most obvious objection TO tn,
scheme the probability of retuliatory actiur
on the part Of the countries with which W,
chiefly trade, Would England. France, unC
Germany, for instance, put diffrrential du
ties on our principal articles Of export, S,
that We should lose IN one way what w
| gained in another?
what have We 10 export to either Of the carry
| ns commercial nationsf T0Jsccot Most Of tue eOnn
tries OF Europe for their purpOses raise lnrg
portion Of their Revenues from tobacco Does any ma
here suppose that country IN Europe 10 going 10 pu
dinerentiAl duty on tobacco as against u.s. which vii
destroy " dinilish It's osn rsssnussf Mol Cotton