The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-02

There seems TO be an evident desire
on the part of newspapers of the country
10 run the next Democratic Presidential
campaign, and to formulate the issues Of
the canvass, which finds expression in
long and carefully written editorials, and
frequent pungent paragraphs, written for
the purpose of convincing tho party
managers that nothing short of COM
plete adoption of the policy advocated by
the papers can possibly result in Demo-
cratic victory. This discussion is doubt
less beneficial, ii it is not always con-
vincing, for when conducted in the
proper spirit it eiicits the various views
entertained by thoughtful and, in large
measure, disinterested members of the
Democratic party upon the vital question
of party policy. The fac. that there is
so much difference of opinion upon party
policy is of itself the best evidence of tho
necessity for deliberate discussion. The
main point of variance is, of course, the
tariff; and upon 1t the members of the
party occupy various positions, from that
of the high protection, advocated by Mr.
Randall aud his party, to the extreme of
free trade, represented by Mr. Frank
Hurd, of Ohio. 1t will not do to read
all meu out of the party who do not
subscribe to any one theory upon the
tariff, for when State like Virginia in
its Democratic Convention declares for
the abolition of internal duties, 1t pracu.
cally places the party of that State in
favor of correspondingly high tariff.
There 10 far from uniformity in the party
on this subject, and nothing but the
most calm and elaborate discussion can
secure concert of action between the ad.
herents Of the different views entertained
upon it. 1t ought to be entered into
with tho determination to present each
aide fully and fairly, and then abide the
result in the National Convention. The
election of Speaker of the next House
will and ought to be made preliminary
skirmish on this matter, and the revenue
tariff advocates should, by all means,
elect their candidate If possible, for such
an election will give to the country an
earnest Of revenue reform which will
greatly strengthen the party before the
people. After this election, however, We
think the next session OF Congress should
avoid any attempted legislation upon
the subject for several reasons. In the
first place, It will be impossible to do
any good by passing q bill in the House
q co ths subject. It we.ld surely be
defeated in the Republican Senate, and
1. would be q waste Of time and money for
which the Democratic party would be
arraigned in the canvass. And in the
next place the coming House will not be
y prepared to legislate intelligently upon
the subject. II should, in our opinion,
confine itself to close investigation by
proper committees of the present cost of
I every department of the government as
administered by the Republican party,
q and also Of the abuses in each depart.
1 ment, and what are the necessary expen-
s sas ofsuch department where eeonomi-
I scally administered. This is q practical
{ work for which the country will be
grateful, and will lay the foundation for
more real reform than by years Of igno.
rant gas upon the tariff question can do.
We profess to favor tariff. for revenue
only, and therefore we must Ak the rev.
'enue necessary for the government be-;
fore We fix The tariff. It will not do to
take the present estimates tor the reye-I
nue., for II so;thers will be no change in!
the tariff: We spend all that Hs collect
now, and therefore in order 10 show hoB..