The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-01
The Tariff Question.

The Tariff Question.
r,.e existing tariff, as we have had occa-
.,on to say heretofore, Is perhaps the worst
that was ever devised by human ingenuity'
md vet the people OF the United states are
we suppose, the most prosperous and hap
nv In the world. There are things other
than tariff which destroy human happi-
ness and initiate against conntry's pros
perity.
Fer ifsany reasons, Il Is difficult, In ira
ming a tariff bill, to adopt rigid rules.
There must be elasticity Ia any such rules
when the details Of tariff bin are unaer
consideration. We gave yesterday report
Of what Mr.. VEST, Of Missouri, SAID lew
DAYS ago In explanation OF his ideal oil
tariff for revenue. He declared that waist
he believed In tariff for revenue, he also
believed that inste the limits OF taria Tor
revenue the protection incidental TO every
tariff should be given 10 infant industries.
He added that he held this TO be good
Democratic doctrine, and that he would.
carving this doctrine into practice, do all
IN his power 10 secure for the producers OF
sine Profession within the limits indicated,
and he would not blame any other senator
for doing likewise for the industries in his
State.
Nh. TICKER, a champion OF u tariff for
revenue, declared few days ago that he
would not ruthiessly destroy the business
h.
by a high tariff to engage in such business.
The Government must save them HARM
less rs far rs good faith and sound policy
demanded. Mr.. CARLISLE and otherpromi-
nent Democrats have heretofore expressed
opinions somewhat similar to those OF sMr.
TUCKER. The Lynchburg Aduance appre-
ciates Mr.. TUcKER's position on this gues-
fien. 1t says:
"Mr. Tucker has difficult task TO per-
form. and in his own State is the subject
not only OF continual misrepresentation,
but constant watching. Ii Is difficult TO
advocate a higher tariff on agricultural or
mineral productions and lower tariff on
manufactures, and this difficulty does not
lie so much in any principles involved in
the general question OF revenue as it does
in framing a bill to command respectable
vote. Ores, wool and timber could be
raised much higher and still produce rev.
Puue, while most manufac. ures Will have to
be cut down from ITohibitory rates. Mr..
Tucker Is on the right track when he assails
protection aimed to plumber our agricul-
tIral productions"
our readers have not forgotten Hon.
N ., of s,n n
this subject. His majority in this city in
1882 was larger by about nine hundred
than Mr.. DANIELS In 1881.
The following extract from the tele-
graphic report OF the proceedings OF the
House of Representatives on Tuesday
last is not very 'ilattering either to Mr..
WHEELER OF to the Democrats OF the House
of Representatives. 1t insinuates rather
than states that Mr.. WHEELER offered an
amendment TO the tariff bill, desiring and
expecting it to be voted down by the Re
publcans. Here is the extract:
"Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, moved to
put. cotton-seed oil on the free-list.
~'Mr. Kelley expressed his willingness
that should be done If the representatives
of the cotton-growing States desired; but
Mr.. Blanchard, OF Louisiana, and other
southern members objected. and Mr..
Wheeler withdrew his amendment amid
derisiye laughter on the Republican side"
Governor BROWN Of Georgia, Mr.. VOoR-
HE'S Of Indiana, and Mr.. MCPHERSON Of
New Jersey, conspicuous as Democrats,
are not less conspicuous as advocates Of a
tariff which shall protect certain manufac-
turing lfterests in their respective States
The ieeson which we would have our
readers learn from all this is that there is
no good reason why the Democrats Of ,Nir-
glnia skouid be divided into two factions
upon the tariff question. As our neighbor
of the Stae so well states the case:
"No true Democrat, we take il, there
fore, will desert the great party OF the peO-
pie, the paytydhat is the peoples only hope,
and which alone can carry them through
TO the full establishment OF a perfect gov
eminent, absolute self-government, be-
cause he cannot compel his party 10 accept
all Of his notions. 10 support all OF his in
terests. We D6ieye that low taxation, a
low tariff, a small army, a small navy, few
officials, az d these paid no more than per-
soEs performing like duties in private life,
with few pensioners on the bounty Of the
people, and privileges for none. is the
true theory Of a democratic republic,
and we will always be found advocating
these things; yet we shall not expect TO
have the entire party in full agreement
with us upon every one OF them, nor will
that lie any reason for Withdrawing from
our party. These are mere questions OF
policy or eXpediency, not at all touching
the principles upon which the Democratic
structure has been raised, and which dis
tinguish il from any other party that has
ever been formed. The Democratic party
was not made but born. 1t bad ITS birth in
the hearts as il has its life in the wants and
Aspirations Of the people, and while the
principles which were born with il survive
1t cans,ot die; but as these are immortal its
life msst be eternal and interchangeable, sur
yivingwlnharmed the overthrow OF govern
ments and parties, which are but the crea-
tion OF acan."
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Mr. fuckers Speech.
We rtasirn thinks 10 Hon l. PAN