The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-06-07
/ STATEMENT ON THE TARIFF

Senator Bayard has expressed him
self through the columns of the New
York World upon the question of
tariff. Statesman as he is, his views
should be presented to every citizen
of the land. He says:
"The more important the question
the greater the necessity in dealing
with it gravely and worthily, and
anything like finesse or the appear
ance of finesSe or trick in dealing with
such an issue as a tariff for revenue
or tariff for the protection of GER
tain classes of our citizens will greatly
weaken the party resorting to it"
Quite independent OF the economy
to the treasury and incidental benefit
to American producers and manu-
facturerS which is to be affected by a
higher or lower rate of tariff
taxation, is the more profound ques-
ton of political right and power to
| lay any public burden upon the entire
people for the benefit, profit or PRO
lection" of private individuals.
If this claim be admitted as one of
right, then privileged classes do exist
in this country, and although titles
may not be allowed by the con-
stitution, yet all the advantages and
privileges of rank will be obtained
without the name.
/ know no position more impreg-
nable, and upon which it is more i'm
important for the Democratic party
to form it's lines, than that public
properly cannot be taken for private
use under any pretext.
The constitution of the United
States-and of every one of the states
so united-provideS for the taking of
private property for public use only
| upon the rendition of lust compen-
sation" to the owner-but nowhere in
this country and nowhere where free
institutions have recognition can the
sovereign power take public property
for private use or the private property
of A to be bestowed upon b with or
without compensation.
The only ground upon which any
individual can be deprived of his
property is to benefit the community,
and whenever such an exigency
arises ne must first (under our guar
antees) be justly compensated.
| The form of the eXaction is imma-
terial-aS much so as the place-and
a tax collected in the interior, or at d
mans residence, or at the seaport of
entry and under tariff law-it is all
the same, and to be justified must be
in the name and for. the. use of the
government of the United States.
With this principle once laid. down..
the rate of taxation will be easily
measured by the public, exigencies;
and such a spectacle as was witnessed
at the last session of congreSs-of a
handful of men representing private
interests and controlling and mould
ing public laws of taxation to suit
those interests-Will never again be
tolerated by honest public sentiment.
The excise system can be so ar
ranged, l am sure, as to do away with
the army of spies and agents, and the
detestable inquisition practiced under
! present laws. A tax upon the ;scer-
tanned capacity of a still can be
substituted for the host of polit-
ical storekeepers and gaugers and
armed marshalS who now 8onsti-
tute the chief power of the Radical
party in many States. And a senSi-
BILE reduction of the rate of tax to a
true revenue point would accomplish
vast return and give great relief.
| am convinced of the serious ne
cessity for change in our civil SER
vice system Of removals and appoint
mentS.
The tree will grow and bear it's nat
ural fruits, and If we continue to
make mems salaries and means of liv-
ing dependent solely upon the caprice
and favor of the Executive branch
we will see such men in high office as
suit the office-holding class and not
the people, or their interest or honor.
Senator Mcdonald has also been
speaking out upon the same issue,
and his expressions show that, unlike
Gen. Hancock expressed it, the tariff
is a general question. affecting the
people of the entire country. He says:
l feel a strong conviction that the
political tides which set in in favor of
the Democratic party last year Will
continue until the party shall be tri-
umphantly successful at the next
presidential election.
| The tariff issue connected with the
general subject of revenue reform
will necessarily be an important
question in all future political con-
tests until it is settled upon the doc
trines of the constitution and the
principles of sound political economy.
We may be some time reaching a
solution of the question, but as the
public mind comes to be enlightened
it will not be satisfied with any tariff
that has not for its leading purpose
the raising of revenue for the gov
eminent; nor with the details
of any tariff law in which the
duties laid upon foreign merchan-
disc shall be above the revenue point.
1t is the great question before the
country, nor will the people be salts
fed with any political organization
that will be some time reaching a
solution of the question" The people
want quick work in such reforma-
ton, and the quicker it is done the
more they will be helping the reform
party to accomplish what is so much
| needed