Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-16
Tariff Reformcrs in the Lead

The result Of the Congressional elections
is now known. 1t is certain that the
tariff reformers Will have a majority in
the FOrty-ninth Congress unless some OF
the Democrats who are now classed as
tariff reformers prove to be protectionists
and follow the lead of Mr.. Randall.
1t is noticeable that of the forty-one
Democrats who joined Mr.. Randall in op-
posing the Morrison bill. only eighteen
were reelected. The tariff reformers
who followed the lead of Messrs. Carlisle
and Morrison were generally returned.
1t is fair, therefore. to interpret the re-
cent elections as an approval of the tariff
reform policy, and a condemnation Of the
protective system so far as the Democrats
were concerned. In the next Congress
.Mr. Randall, as far as now appears. will
nave a following of only eighteen as
against tOrty-One in the present Congress
if he takes a position against a reduction
of the tariff.
1t is almost certain that with such a
prepOnderance OF sentiment among Demo-
Gratis in favor Of tariff reduction, Mr..
Carlisle viii be reelected Speaker. He
was very popular before he was elected
Speaker Of the present House. and his
popularity has steadily grown. To Sc
cure the position again he winhave much
less trouble than he had on the first occa-
sion.
His reelection will mean that the tariff
tight will be renewed. Indeed, it is diff
cult TO understand how it is possible to
avoid it. The revenues Of the govern
ment must be reduced, and there are only
two ways Of reducing them. One is to
abolish the internal revenue system, and
the other is to reduce the tariff.
This Congress ought to do something
towards reducing the revenues, because
the sooner the receipts Of the government
are brought down 10 about what the ex-
penses are the better it viii be for the
country. There is not much chance.
however, for tariff legislation 10y this Con-
sress. The Democrats VIII prefer to wait
u0til there is = Democratic administra-
ton.
1t is not probable that the Democrats
viii undertake to abolish the internal
revenue system and leave the tariff taxes
Ul.tAA>AuA GEQs Mls 1AtAullGtA anu the lEt-
lection Democrats would like to see the
internal revenue system done away with,
because that would prevent a reduction
Of the tariff. but there is no probability
that the majority Of the Democrats VIII
consent to legislation Of that kind. They
are not so anxious for free whisky and
tobacco as they are for cheaper neces-
saries Of life.
The people in the West are wondering
just now how they are to meet the actual
expenses of living with wheat and corn
at present prices. That they are begin
ming to realize the necessity for cheaper
clothing, agricultural implements, and
other supplies they are compelled to have
is shown by the tremendous falling of in
the usual Republican majorities in the
Western States. When the campaign is
calmly reviewed it will be seen that Mr..
Hendricks, Mr.. Carlisle and others by
their tariff speeches wrought a remark
able change in public sentiment in the
West. Indeed, the change is so great as
te Justify the expectation that at the next
national campaign the Democrats viii
carry half a dozen of the Western States.