New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-25

have been well-considered during the Presi-
dental canvass ending with the election OF thst
Congress. To oppose reduction Oh tarin
in the canvass, and then to reduce the tarin
Immediately after the members thus elected
had taken their seats, would place any party in
a difficult position. But it does not now seem
| probable that any party viii venture'to 60 into
the Presidential contest with proposal to re-
duce the tariff. Part of the surplus could be
avoided by repeating the rest of the internal
taxes, bu. it is very much to be doubted whether
public opinion would sustain that course.
Moreover, il that step is to be taken at the SEES
sion of 1855, it must be taken by members
who will have been compelled to commit them
selves for or against it in the preceding can
vass.
There are many ways in which money can be
expended. But River and Harbor and Pension
bills have led to so much fraud that any very
large outlay for such Purposes would be regarded
with suspicion. Before the end Of next year,
the candidates for Congress will be confronted
with this question "a VIII you vote to cut down
the revenue, or how viii you vote to use the
surplus7- II candidate says he will vote to
cut down the revenue, he must take sides Tor
or against tariff reduction OF free whiskey. IL
he proposes to spend the surplus, he will have
TO take sides for or against River and Harbor,
Pension and othor bills of similar character.
It is very likely, too, that candidates Tor
the Presidency may he compelled to answer
questions of this kind, with the certainty that
lodging will be bad for them that it will cost
them the votes of some States to favor FREE
whiskey, and the votes of others to favor tariff
reduction. and that a proposal to put
81 80 200, 900, more or less into river improve
ments or pensions would not be popular.
Large sums could be most proftably spent
in securing more prompt and accurate lnfor-
nation of the progress and results OF indus
tries in different parts OF the country. I'm
doubtedly millions could thus be saved every
year to farmers manufacturers and dealers,
and the danger of serious commercial reyul-
sions could he greatly diminished. Ii would
be well worth many millions every year to be
able to know at all times how many spindies
could be employed and how many actually
were employed in cotton manufacture, for in
stance how many tons of iron could be made
by existing furnaces. and how many by fur
naces now in blast how many acres had been
sown for winter wheat, or corn, or cotton.
The information thus collected, however much
it might cost, would more than pay for itself
every year by enabling the people to direct
their industries more wisely. SO detailed in
formation might with great profit be re quired
from all transportation companies.
There are many directions in which the
prosperity OF the country could be greatly
promoted by wise use of Federal revenues.
great rich Nation has no reason to shrink
from expenditures which, like the seed sown
by the farmer, return rich harvest. But 1t
will be important TO have this subject gen.
orally and thoroughly understood, and some
concentration of public opinion on it effected,
before the next Congressional elections take