The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-22
General Butler Talks of the Presidency, the
Tariff Issue, and the Prospects of
the Two Parties.
Interview with Governor Foster Con-
corning Politics in Ohio.
fhe Liquor-Tax Question the Important Issue
in that Suate-Judse Baldwin on the
Struggle in Indiana.
GOVERNOR BUTLER.


well, now, Governor, suppose we take
look at the presidential prospect. Do you
think the Democrats have any chance?"
~ do, indeed. They have a great oppor-
tunity and can win unless they throw the
chance away"
ION what ground?'
'There is but one-the tariff. 1t is the one
living issue on which the Democrats can
stand if they hope for success. The Repub-
licans say it is proper to raise revenue to
protect American industry, although that
revenue is not needed for governmental ex-
penses During war times we needed all we
could get and from whatever source, but
that necessity exists no longer. The consti-
tuition says that taxes can be levied for
needed revenue. Any contrary theory is
unconstitutional, unjust to taxpayers and i'm
polite as WELL Some Democrats say that the
tariff should be for revenue only. They would
be nearer the constitution if they said the
tariff should be only for revenue-the needed
revenue. The difference is clear If for
revenue only we must raise $500, 600, 600
nearly 81, 900, 900 day-of revenue for ac-
tual expenses, without regard for anything
else, and on such articles as would stand the
test. If only for revenue a tariff is i'm
posed chiefly for the protection OF American
industries"
Rather a subtle distinction"
mo; broad one. One raises what reve-
nue. is needed without regard to American
industry or labor the other raises it by tax
ang such articles as compete with the prod
ducts of American industry and labor.
prefer the latter. The Republicans raise
:,
tect American industry and labor. The
Democrats should raise what is absolutely
needed, and so raise it as to protect Ameri-
can industry and labor. On this issue the
fight can be made. Why should all be taxed
so that few may flourish and river and har-
Dor and other Treasury steals be permitted? Is
that the way to protect American industry?
should be glad to take that issue, and
would have no fear OF the consequences. We
raise 81 600 900 day for needed expenses,
and if that sum won't sufficiently protect
American industries then they are not worth
fostering. Do you want to be taxed for the
benefit of Others knowing very we'll that the
money will be squandered by the party in
power? Obviously not. Are you willing to
be taxed for legitimate government expenses?
Always Do you object to be so taxed as most
certainly to help American enterprise and
reward American labor? Of course not.
That's the issue. Clearly put and fully I'M
derstood, the American people will have
but one response On this the Democrats
will win"
Didn't you make this part and parcel of
your State campaign, and with direct refer
ence to the necessities of the national Demo-
cratic partyP'
"Unquestionably. A significant section of
our platform took hold of the precise situa-
ton and demanded thorough and immedi-
ate reform of the tariff We then said and
now say that the constitution of the United
States sanctions taxation, whether by excise
impost or customs, to the amount of the nee
essary expenditures of the government,
whether in peace or war, to which all its rev.
enues must be limited. And then we went
on to say the national expenditures are now
so great that no proper protection can be
given to American interests, American indus
tries and American labor within these limits.
Therefore we call upon Congress so to reform
the present war taxes that hundreds of nil
lions may not be, as now, needlessly extracted
from the earnings of our people, to lie in the
Treasury as temptation to wicked and reck-
less appropriations for extravagant public
buildings and useless and wasteful river and
harbor bills; that no taxes shall be levied on
the necessaries of life or upon the raw material
which is not found or produced in our
country; that the tariffshall be so iudcously
adj usted that American commerce shall be
fostered, and, above all, American labor
elevated and amply rewarded. We then
affirmed. and | relterate now, that all these
results can be fully realized under a new
tariff limited in amount to sum necessary
and adequate for revenue"
Then you intended the Democrats of
Massachusetts, should set an example to their
brethren in all the States2"
Precisely. Believing that the time had
come when many needed reforms of govern
ment should be boldly undertaken, we in
vited the cooperation of all liberal and pro-
gressive citizens in the good work of initial
ing new political departure in the nation
ps well as in Massachusetts. We wished dead
Issues to be discarded-live issues, too long
postponed, grappled courageously with"
rs civil service in the line ofyour reform
atory programmed
Again the cat. We made that especially
feature in our State campaign, and it will
of necessity come to the front in the general
contest. | contend that the use of federal
patronage TO reward personal friends or
party favorites and punish personal or poiti-
cal enemies in payment for rendering parti-
san or personal service or in punishment for
failure or refusal to render such service is
one OF the most debauching influences of the
period 1t robs the people of that efficient
and honest service which is their due, be-
cause they pay for it; corrupt politics and
craftsmanship alike in all their spheres of
action, from the ward-room of the caucus to
the chamber of the Senate and the council
room of the cabinet. tits standing menace
to the personal independence of the 100, 600
citizens in federal employ and unless speed
lily stopped will undermine our institutions
and sap the very foundations of popular gov
srnment."
What do you consider axioms of the De-
mocraey?"
mo sumptuary laws infringing sacred
rights of personal liberty; no double no I'M
equal taxation, no partial enforcement of the
laws; no class legislation. These, as we said
In our platform, are axioms OF Democracy"
"And does the growing power of corpora
tions suggest any course to your
Exactly the point made that in this day
Of giant monopolles powerful corporations
and concentrated wealth, seeking to subsi.
die every function of government to their
own exclusive benefit all true Democrats