Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-04
CarIisIe's Speech.

The Forty-eighth Congress Is organized
and ready for business. The Presidents
message will no doubt be read to-day.
The character Of the legislation of this
Congress will play a very important part
in the national contest next year. ms
is fully understood by the Democratic
majority Of the House, and II IS reason
ably certain that nothing VIII De done
that viii tend TO weaken the hold OF the
Democratic party on the people. On the
contrary. every effort will be MADE 10 so
shane legislation as 10 strengthen
pub1ic confidence in that party
DIr. Carlisle's speech, in taking
the Speakers chair. was admirable in
tone and calculated to allay any appre-
hension that may have been felt that he
would favor such radical measures as
would tend to alarm the great in
dustrial interests OF the country.
It is clear that he was
misrepresented during the heated can
vass that preceded the election for
Speaker. This misrepresentation, how
ever. did him no harm with those who
were to choose the Speaker, because they
understood him thoroughly and were
familiar with his views. Mr.. Carlisle Is
"a conservative man, and possesses a clear
Judgment and an evenly balanced mind.
He is not "A free trader. but he Is con-
scfentious believer in tariff reform. He IS
As we'll informed respecting tn tariff as
any man in public life, and knows its IN
CAPABILITIES. iniquities and the unnecessary
burdens which it imposes upon the people.
lie Is in favor of removing these burdens
and of doing away with these in
CAPABILITIES and iniquities. He does
not propose TO accomplish this suddenly
or in "A way that viii harm any industry,
but gradually, so that every interest Will
have ample opportunity to adjust itself to
the changes. In his speech he said sud
den and radical changes in the laws and
regulations affecting the commercial and
industrial interests of the people ought
never 10 be made unless imperatlvely
demanded by some public emergency,
and in my opinion, under existing cir
cumstances, such changes would not be
favorably received by any considerable
number of those who have given serious
attention to this subject"
He looks upon tariff reform as the
great work to be done by the Democratic
party. 1t may take years to do
it. but he does not propose
that the party shall ever retreat from the
position it has taken with regard to it, or
that anything shall be permitted to inter-
fere TO prevent Its accomplishment.
Had Mr.. Randall been chosen Speaker
tariff reform, in all probability,
would have been rendered impossible.
The few Democrats in Congress who
are protectionists would have joined
with the Republicans and abolished the
internal revenue taxes. That would have
relieved the Treasury Of the surplus
revenue. and the protectiOnists would
have been strengthened in their position
with the argument that the needs Of the
government would not permit re-
duction Of the tariff. With Carlisle
in the Speakers chair the Democratic
party Will advance in the line of policy
that it has marked out for itself, and
which is certain to lead to victory in the
next National contest. The advance will
be 50 conducted as to win the support OF
the masses and not damage or alarm any
commercial or industrial interest,