The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-09-08
SENATOR MCDONALD ON THE TARIFF.

Now that the New York Sun blunt,
gives Samuel j. Tllden himself rs 1t!
authority for saying that Mr. Tilden viii
IN no event allow his name TO 90 before
the Democratic convection for nomination
for the presidency, II is nearly settled tina
the nominee will be either Mcdonald
, Holman or Hendricks, OF Indiana, or Nor
rison, OF Illinois. In this light the views
of Mr. Mcdonald on the tariff question
are of more than ordinary interest and
ought to be generally known. In an in
terview with a representative of the ChIca
go Tribune the other day he defined his
position as follows
| favor tariff for revenue with such in
cidental protection only as tair and jus,
adjustment of the tariff for revenue pur-
poses will afford; and propose to reach
that position just as soon AS it Is safe with
out any serious disturbance to any business
interest.
regard the imposition of customs du-
ties as taxing power, and 1t should be ex
ercised as such, with the view of making
the burden of taxation as nearly equal as
possible. AS for any sudden reduction of
the tariff. | don't see how 1t very well can
be done when the expenditures of the gov
eminent are as great rs they are, and in
view OF what they are likely to he. Be-
tween the years 1872 and 1881 you will
ma the ordinary expenses of the govern.
ment to have been over $l75 100000 in
GLIDING pensions, and embracing period
anterior TO the back pension act. The cX.
penditures Of the last two years, including
pensions, was over S200,000,00O, which
sum does not include the interest on the
public debt which is over $4,000, 600
This last expense, AS you know, does not
enter into the basis OF the appropriations
each year, beng n continuous appropria-
ton.
With Republican senate and Republi-
can administration | DO not think any
considerable revision of the tariff will take
place this year. The house and senate
this winter can do little more than indicate
the policy, which think Will be ON the
line OF the propositions | have stated
reduction and equalization. So far as the
character OF the coming session Is con
ce1ned, think 1t Will be rather an unlm-
portant one. The house will cndeavor 10
the national expenditures as
much as possible; if they don't, they ought
10. Where Will the retrenchment be felt
Well, there is scarcely any department of
the public service that ought not to be
looked into with view to curtallment
Yes, | think the appropriations under the
river and babor bill Will bear very grea,
reduction, and yet from the peculiar char
acter OF the interests It involves it is an ex.
lremely hard question to deal with.
favor the payment of the public debt
Just as rapidly as our revenue will enable
US, and | believe IN applying The entire
surplus to that end don't propose TO
leglslate on the tariff question for any par
ticular section as a section, nor to put
bonus into the pockets of manufacturers.
am not for bounties. You ask me con
corning the protection of such an industry
as the manufacture Of sugar in the south
The revenue from sugar last year amount
ed to $50,OO0,OOO. We can't give that up.
would put tax on sugar as the best
means OF raising revenue, not for any
special protection to anybody, but 1t il the
interest OF the government to lay duties CD
hose articles that are best able to bear
1uty. The ex senator thought the temper.
snce question had better be left alone, and
be opposes prohibition. He would not
ak of the presidency.