Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-31
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 81. 1884.
The Tariff and Mr.. Randall.

what we understand that plank to teach
Two months ago the Democrats OF Virginia
were engaged la life.and-death contest,
and uron every stump the speakers OF the
Democratic perry declared their firm adhe-
renee to thai plank, and protested that they
intended TO i've up TO its requirements.
Now we find Dir. WATrERsoN declaring
day after day and in articles disgracefully
Objectionable, that Mr. RANDALL and his
followers are traitors to the Democratic
party, and that the sooner they avow them
selves 10 be Republicans the sooner viii
they appear In their true character.
But Mr.. RANDALL las just made speech
in Mr.. wATTEEsoN's own city, In which he
raffirms his creed. II Is IN substance the
same speech which he has over and over
again made In Congress. Itstelchings are ex-
aetly the same rs the teachings ofthe Chicago
platform as these teachings were set
forth last fall to the thousands Of mechanics
here IN Richmond who arc In favor OF such
protection OF American labor as Is de-
mapded for them in that platform. We
wish our readers 10 compare for themselves
the tariff plank in the Chicago platform
with Mr.. RANDALL's tariff u,terances in
Louisville lsst Monday. Here is that plank:
We believe that labor is best rewarded
where II II ireest and most enlightened.
IL should, therefore, be fostered and cher.
ished.
We demand in behalf Of the Democracy
freedom for American labor by reducing
taxes TO the end that these tuited states
nay compete with unhindcred powers for
the primacy among nations In all the arts Of
peace and fruits Of liberty.
With this statement OF the hopes, princi-
pies, and purposes OF the Democratic party,
The great issue OF reform and change in adj
ninisiraiion Is submitted to the people in
calm confidence that the popular voice will
pronounce in favor Of new men and new
and more favorable conditions for the
growth al industry, the extension OF trade,
the employment and due reward Of labor
and OF capital, and the general welfare OF
The whole country.
Legislation affecting the operations OF
The people should be cautious aud conser.
yatiye In method, not In advance OF public
opinion, but responsive to its demands;
the Democratic party Is pledged to revise
the ,griff in a spirit Of fairness to all inter-
ests. But 10 making reduction IN taxes it
is not proposed to ipiure any domestic in-
dusiries, bot rather TO promote their healthy
growth. From the foundation OF this Gov
eminent taxes collected at the CUSTOM
house have been the chief source Of Fed
eral revenue. Such they must continue to
he. Moreover, many industries have come
To rely upon legislation for success
full continuance, so that any change
OF law must be at every step regard
ful OF the labor and capital thus in-
volved; the process OF reform must be SUBJ
jeet in the execution TO this plain dictate
OF Justice. All taxation shall DC limited TO
the requirements OF economical govern
ment. The necessary reduction in taxa
ton can and must be effected without de-
driving American labor Of the ability to
compete successfully with foreign labor,
and without imposing lower rates OF duty
than will I've ample 10 cover any increased
cos, Of production which may exist In con-
sequence OF the higher rate of wages pre-.
yailing in this country.
We therefore dcnounce the abuse OF the
existing tariff; and subject to the pre-
cedirg limitations. we demand that Fed
eral taxation shall be exclusively for pub.
lie purposes, and shall not exceed the
needs of the Government economically ad'
ministeTed.
That seems 10 us TO be exceedingly plain
language. We do not see word In that
plank to which any good Democrat can
reasonably object, and, since Mr.. RANDALL
teaches exactly the same doctrine, we cam
not imagine why any Democrat should de-
pounce him or the Democrats who agree
with him. or should even intimate that they
are not as sound Democrats as WAITER
soS, or MORRISON, or CARLISLE. But let
us see what Mr.. RANDALL sand on this SUBJ
iect in hfs Louisville speech. We quote !;
cit is due to your intelligence that |
should give you the reasons which think
have controlled to bring us TO our present
trade condition. l consider that II Is owing
to an exhaustive taxation, and In some de-
gree to trade restrictions, which ought to
be swept aside. (Cheers.] The Govern
ment should be administered economically.
and there ought not TO be collected dollar
Of revenue from the people Of the United
States In excess OF that which Is necessary
OF tins people. tCheers.]"
The platform says. "All taxation shall be
limited to the requirements Of economical
government" 1t adds, " Subject to tie
preceding limitations, we demand that
Federal taxation shall be exclusively for
pubic purposes. and shall not exceed the
needs Of the Government economically ad.
minlstfYed."
What says Mr.. RASDALLf Precisely the
same. "The Government should he admin
istered economically, and there ought not
TO be collected dollar Of revenue from The
people In excess OF that which is necessary
10 economically administer the Govern.
ment." Why, he employs the very words
Of the platform. Aud MI this language re.
fers 10 the tariff; because he everywhere
tells every body that be is In favor OF abol-
ishing all Internal taxes.
Again: Mr.. RANDALL says:
81 have no earthly objection. am free
TO say, 10 see the southern States. and many
Of them, come Into successful competition
with the northern States, but l AN abso-
luiely opposed To seeing both sections In.
terieIea with In their progress and career
20 the cestluy which Coo IN His inlinite
wisdom has endowed upon this the great.
Get county on Garth by such relations
which win make both sections Victims OF
foreign low labor aud foreign interests.
tCheefs.l Aud do not speak this 10 you
In any partisan sense. ] speak II In the
BROADER tfusc Of ststesmanship. II may
Be allowed to apply the term, for We are
~ advised that statesmansbip consists In
leowme Che resources Of this country, and
Ms. " 10y JUDGMENT, the duty Of an intell-
tent People % study out the details OF her
toroition ~ they relat6 10 eyexchauge OF
pfoducss With foreign countries. 80 no
ham may GENE to inverted capital, and NO
lowering OF wages Of American mechanics.n
There ID tn these two extracts, though
his language Il badly reported By tele-
graph, Mr.. RAxDALL's whole tariff creed.
The former extract, ~ we have said,
teaches Just what the Chicago platform
teaches. So docs the latter extract.
NJ. RAxpALL ssys. "n0 iopeYixg of cages