New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-25
THE SEVEN LlB0Rs or BLACKBURx

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Nearly eight years have passed since the
first Democratic House of Representatives.
that had assembled in the Capitol at Wash
ington since 1861 came into existence. One
of the most conspicuous figures IN that motley
gathering was J. G.. 5. Blackburn, of Ken
lucky. Like majority of bis political breth-
rem he imagined that the tidal wave which
had risen simply to engulf Grantism was
genuine Democratic upheavai. The possession
OF the House he fought was only the first
step toward the full control of the National
Government, and he accordingly took an early
cpportunity 10 announce the course that his
party intended to pursue when IL came into
power. One oil the items in his elaborate pro-
grammo was the wiping out OF all the Re-
publican war legislation then on the statute
BOOKS The event, however, did not turn OUT
30 propitously as Mr.. Blackburn expected,
and instead of taking possession OF the Gov
eminent, he was compelled TO see his party,
notwithstanding the frantic efforts it made,
lose the vantage ground it had gained Blu
Mr.. Blackburn improved his short tenure of
power by furnishing his political opponents
with some of the most effective campaign
arguments that Democratic Congress is
always sure to supply.
The recall of these events is timely just
now, when another Congress controlled
by the Democracy is soon to assem-
bic in Washington, and when Mr..
Blackburn comes promptly 10 the fore with
another programme of his party's intentions.
As he is one OF the leading candidates for the
Speakership and will in any event take
prominent part in the legislation of the next
House, his utternnces may be regarded as
authoritative. Ii is worth while mentioning
also that Mr.. Blackburn will not propose
his new programme. lie will "insst" upon
it. As outlined in The Cincinnati Enquirer it
includes seven points, and is as follows
l. A reform of the tariff, putting one half
of the articles now subject to duty upon the
free list and reducing the duty on the others
TO a revenue basis. 2. Free ships and re-
vision of the navigation laws 8. A return to
the Government of all the public lands not
earned by the railroad col porations to which
they were granted 4. An abolition of the
Internal Revenue Bureau. 5. A reduction of
the number of Federal officers. @. An appro-
priation of $25,000,000 to the States for
educational Purposes z. Full appropria-
tons for the Improvement OF the Mississippi
River.
A casual glance mt the above propositions
upon which Mr.. Blackburn intends to "insst"
shows that he has taken a contract to furnish
the Republicans with all the campaign ma
terial they may need in the next Presidential
canvass. The first point in his programme is
distinct notice to the business interests of
the country that they must expect a
thorough overhauling OF the tariff leg
islation of last winter, and, of course, another
prolonged period of uncertainty. The four
following propositions upon which Mr.. Black
burn will insist" merit little attention. They |
have furnished the material for buncombe |
speeches without number in the past and the |
Democrats will not be slow TO use them In the |
future. Everyone expected that Democratic |
Congress would try to make some cheap cam
paign thunder by reducing the appropriations |
for the support of the Government to as low |
figure as possible. But the sixth and seventh |
items In the programme upon which MIR. |
Blackburn will "insist" deserve notice The |
former proposes an appropriation Of $25,000,- |
600 for educational purposes, and the latter |
the dumping of millions of money into tho |
Mississippi River. As On appropriation for cd.
ucatiopal purposes, II one 10 ever made by the |
General Government, will doubtless be divided |
among the States in proportion to their illit- /
eracy, the South would be certain TO get the !
lions share of tho $25,000,000 fund upon |
which Bfr. Blackburn Intends to "fnsiN" So |
IT will be seen that he will "insist upon |
dealing pretty literally by bic own section. |