Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-02-01

| educated to believe that his state NJ ed
ed protection, and some allowance
must be made for these exceptions.
Mr.. Randall is essentially Democrat
but not in accord with his party on
this question.
Reporter-You think positive legis-
lation may be expected on the tariff
and internal revenue laws by this
congress, do you?
Hancock-I have no manner of
doubt of it. | expect to find bills
drawn, il not introduced, on my re-
turn, 1t will not be delayed nor post.
poned from fear OF damaging party
chances in the presidential eltcuon.
Reporter-What will the national
Democratic convention do in this mat
ter?
Hancock-Its utterances are the
highest and only Democratic authori-
ty, as you probably know. 1t will, L
suppose, take advanced ground upon
both questions. These are to be the
chief issues of the campaign. No
doubtful position will be tak.n. We
may expect it to assume bold atti-
tude thereon.
Reporter-You have no fear, then,
that it will err from conservative or
cowardly considerations
Hancock-None W hatever. Radical
ground need not be taken; but strong,
positive resolutions committing the
party to a reduction of duties on arti-
cles heavily protected will be demand
ed and promulgated.
Reporter-Have you any reason to
think there is growing sentiment or
interest in the South in favor of pro-
lection?
Hancock have observed none.
On the contrary, [ think there has
been great falling off in that vote
since my recollection. The tariff
strength In the South eliminated in
1874. Mr.. Clay received heavy vote,
and came near carrying Tennessee,
North Carolina, Virginia and Lonisi-
ana. Their sugar and tobacco interests
caused them to favor protective legisla-
ton. But no such vote has been given
there since.
Reporter about the national
banks?
Hancock--The national banking
system is the best one ever yet devised.
Under 1t the bill-holder can never lose
a dollar. 1t Is absolutely impossible.
II they were abolished to-day we
should have To substitute something
else in their place. Perhaps the law
can be amended and some objections
removed, but taken altogether 1t Is an
admirable system. We have been pay
ing off our government debt too fast.
AT the end of the war we were saddled
with nearly three billions OF national
Indebtedness. That has been reduced
to about one billion i'm round numbers.
The present generation has paid us
full share Of the debt and the remaind-
er might well be left to our SUCCESSORS.
l would favor law funding the re-
naming debt In bonds running for
fifty years, or even longer, to be used
as basis for banking. Some think
they would be taken ut two per cent.
We have proven that they will sell for
three. This would lead to lessening
the revenue collected annually, ana
greatly benefit the South. She was so
Impoverished by the war that she has
never fully recovered, and needs the
benefit OF reduced taxation.
Reporter-Was there much specu-
lation concerning Democratic candi-
dates for president; il so, what was The
drift of outside talk In Washington?
Hancock--There was less discussion
concerning II than one might suppose.
VI course, the subject was often mat
Ter OF conversation among friends,
more as Il comparison of views or curl
GUS speculation than in the advocacy
OF any ones claims.
Reporter-What names were often
est mentioned?
Hanc0ck-That would be difficult to
say. We have SO many men confess
eddy 1T for the Office that the list was