The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-13
HENDRICKS ON POLITICS.
Indiana Democrats on Free Trade and Sur
plus Distribution.

New York Special to Philadelphia Press.
Ex-Governor Thomas A. Hendricks will
leave for Europe on Wednesday in the
steamer Vera. When asked tonight if he
thought the election of Mr., Carlisle and the
consequent Endorsement of his views on
revenue reform likely to strengthen the
Democrats, ne answered: Most decidedly,
yes. Revenue reform or tariff reform ex-
presses the true desire of the people. There
is an intense and earnest desire that the
revenues shall be diminished and that only
taxes necessary for the proper administration
OF the government shall be levied. That is
the essence of tariff reform.
II do not consider that the business in
terests of the country would be injured by
any agitation of the tariff question now-if
wisdom and prudence prevail. The reduc-
ton can come without any injury to the
business of the country. The tariff should
be adjusted to suit the wants of the country
and there is no good reason why an equitable
reform in the revenue should not be estab-
lished at present. The present high tariff is
unjust, and results i'll bringing more money
into the national treasury than there is any
demand for The presence of a large sur
plus opens the road for corruption and Job
berry.
1.-The Dem ocrats can go before the country
on the question of tariff reform and win, in
my opinion. 1t is the burning question Of
the hour. 1t does not mean free trade, as
some journals would have us believe but
means simply tariff for revenue only. In
dustries should not be taxed for more than is
necessary honestly to conduct the govern
ment. On that ISSUE and not on free trade,
the Democratic party will go before the peo-
pie in the next national election and win.
81 do not indorse the plan of distributing
the surplus revenue among the States, by any
means Aside from the doubtful constitu-
tionality of the measure, think it highly
unwise. 1t would lead the States to depend
on an uncertain revenue, and no equitable
division of the surplus could be made. The
scheme is not prudent
THE people are not all in favor of the
abolition of the tax on whisky and tobacco
If that question is made an issue the people
will set the stamp of their disapproval on it,
The voters of this country will never con-
sent to the abandonment of the tax On
spirituous liquors. The bent of the public
mind is to tax all luXuries and to render as
cheap as possible the necessities OF life, con-
sistent with the proper protection of Ameri-
can industries.
There is no danger that the Democratic
party will commit itself to free trade and go
before the people in the next national con-
test on that issue. The deep-seated desire of
the Democrats in Congress is to have tariff
reform, or revenue reform, call it what you
will, on an equitable Basis That's the issue
on the platform Carlisle was elected, and on
that issue the Democratic party will go be-
fore the people and be successful.
Democratic journals in the East, which
have doubted the advisability of the present
course in the Democratic Congress, will
eventually support the tariff reform Demo
Congress to weaken the hands of the Demo
Gratis"
Mr.. Hendricks says he may not come back
before March.