The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-01-05
THE WAYS AND MEANS,
AND THE MEN TO WHOM WE
LOOK FOR REFORM.

Personal sketches OF MT. CdFIIsle's
In Hand.
> The most important part OF the organ
;zation of the House Of Representatives at
Washington was, of course, the formation
:; he committee of Ways and Means.
Whether this should be for revenue reform
or protection was the most important ques-
tion of all. Indeed, this is the question
that was at the bottom of the contest for
the Speakership. Simply whether Mr..
Carlisle. Mr. Randall or Mr.. Cox should
he Sneaker was per a question of COM
narativelv little consequence: the forma-
ffion of the Ways md Means committee
was the prime object.
Mr. Carlisle has not disappointed his
friends or the public in the appointment
Of it.
THE CHRONICLE happens to have the
good fortune to know the most of the
members of it personally, and during the
last two years has worked and talked with
them frequently on tariff and on practica-
bic reforms of it. The following estimates
of the men, and statement Of their views,
therefore, are not secondhand, but are the
result of personal acquaintance and obser-
vation and interviews. For that reason
they may be worth publishing.
The committee Of Ways and Means, in
whose hands is the whole question of tariff,
Mr.. Carlisle has made up OF the following
members: Mr.. Morrison, of Illinois, chair
man; Mr. Mills, of Texas; Mr.. Blount, of
Georgia; Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky;
Mr. Hewitt, Of New York; Mr.. Herbert,
of Alabama; Mr. Hurd of Ohio; Mr..
Jones, of Arkinsas, who are all Demo-
Gratis And the following Republicans
Mr.. Kelley, Of Pennsylvania; Mr.. Kasson,
of Iowa; Mr.. Mckinley, Of Ohio; Mr.. His
cock, of New York; Mr.. Russell, Of Mas
sachuse It's.
Mr. VIM. r. Morrison has sung the song
of tariff-reform for many years, and sung
it successfully in one Of the most active
manufacturing districts in the Union-the
Southwestern (Illinois) district, which in
cludes East St. Louis. Until last year he was
almost the only Democratic Congressman
who was elected solely on the tarif-refOrm
issue He is a plain, honest and lazy
man, and regards protection simply as
robbery. ''Bill Morrsison,'' once said the
Congressman's kinsman, Mr.. Don. Morri-
son, Of st. Louis, ''woIld have been run
for President long ago if he hadn't been
so cussed honest. We can't do anything
with him. He thinks his opinion worth
more than mine, any day-don't you Bill 2"
Mr.. Morrison's policy, as every one
who knows him knows, is simply to re-
duce the tariff as rapidly to an absolute
revenue basis as the business interests OF
the county will admit without shock :;
and ultimately, if the national necessity
w
under free trade. He will encourage re-
form, but will not make great reductions
suddenly. He knows the details OF the
tariff better, perhaps, than any other Dem
ocrat in the House except Mr.. Carlisle.
If the Democratic party cares to be per-
fectly frank and honest next year, and is
willing to fight for this central principal, :,
let the spoils fall to whom they may, Mr..
Morrison, in spite of his laZiness, is per-
haps the best candidate that could be
selected His inertness is the result of a
profound disgust with the whole unholy
tariff system; and, if it fell to him to over
turn it, he would doubtless make a pro-
digious effort. He is as plain man as
Abe Lincoln, and not great deal more
handsome.
The next most prominent member of the
committee in his work for tariff-refOrm is
Mr.. Frank Hurd, Of Ohio, who likewise
was elected solely on the issue of tariff
reform. He is red-hOt. If he could he
would overturn protection at least as rap
idly as it is practicable. If | had the
money! said Mr.. Hurd last winter, 81
would organize free-trade clubs in every
town in the Union, and re-enact the
English crusade for free-trade.' Mr.
Hurd has already published the gist Of q
bill that he will introduce this winter tC
scale down the tariff by such a per centage
at every four years, which will gradually
bring it to revenue basis. He is good
student Of economic questions, and along
with his information he has youthful en-
tEusiasm A charming gentleman he is
too He will be heard from this winter.
Til the great fight ends he will labor with
zeal. and is sure to achieve his ambition tC
make himself prominent in the great re
form that awaits-the Democratic party i
it wise enough to follow such men as Car
Isle, Morrison and Hurd.
Mr. Hewitt, of New York, a possible
Presidential candidate, an extensive owne
of iron mines, large manufacturer, anC
a son-in-law of Peter Cooper, is yer.
conservative revenue-reformer, and an ex
ceedingly we'll informed man. His knowl
edge of economic subjects is both tn
knowledge of student and OF busines
man. He is more temperate than eithe
Mr.. Morrison or Mr.. Hurd, but he favors
and will work for, gradual reduction Q
duties to the revenue basis.
The other Democratic members OF tn
committee are not as close students, no
such masters of details as the preceding
but their doctrine is tariff-refOrm. MI
blackburn is sort of Democratic bull
dog; Mr.. Mills took strong though sub
ordinate part in the great debate of las
winter, and is slow, careful and trust
worthy man. Mr.. Blount, of Georgia,
quiet, conservative, strong member; an
Mr.. Herbert is much more earnest than h
is loud.
OF the Republican members, Mr.. Ke]
ley, ''the father Of the House, is also on
of the fathers and the ablest defender {
protection. Old age has not made hir
less alert. And there is, perhaps, no othe
man living, not even Senator Morrill,, tn
framer of the war tariff, who knows til
infinite details of its workings as we'll {
Mr.. Kelley. Mr.. Mckinley, of Ohio, an
Mr.. Russell, of Massachusetts, are arrar
protectionists, and they know what the
are working for. They are men stronf
industrious and studious. Mr.. Kasson al
Mr.. Hiscock likewise are leaders on tt
Protectionist side of the House.
1t is a strong committee. There is not
ing revolutionary about it but if step
not made towards revenue-reform, NJ
Morrison and Mr.. Hurd will not have the
way.