The Dawson journal., 1884-05-01
Sphinx on the Tariff.
.Nessrs. Editors =;

1 OAe SAAS AStA AZ.
.NeSsrs. Editors -
Your position on the tariff ques-
ton, in last weeks paper treats so
indifferentlT the principle of protec-
ton to American industries and
American labor, that beg of you
the favor to publish the enclosed ar.
ticle from the Augusta Chronicle. 1t
will be seen that there are other lea
ding journals in Georgia quite as ra-
dical as you suppose the Telegraph
and Messenger to be on this mos,
vital issue. SPHINX.
pardon friend for expressing
regret that yours and other leading
journals in the state are not in ac-
cord with the majority of the Demo-
cratic party on tariff reform and re
duction of taxas-not free trade"
The above extract from letter of
a valued and distinguished friend-a
man prominent in the politics and
public service of the ssate-opens
up field for suggestion and OF sig
nifcance. 1t certainly gives the
Chronicle opportunity to accentuate
what it has so often affirmed, that
the first duty Of the Democratic par
ty in the House of Congress is to ad
vance tie cause Of revenue reform.
The best sentiment of the people
favors such a work and the needs of
the country imperatively demand
that the burden of taxation should
be lightened. The spectacle
of bloated exchequer is not an as
surfing one for people who are strlg-
Cling against poverty, and the far
mer, who is reduced, in some cases.
by failure OF crops, to absolute want,
should not be made to contribute to
an accumulation of surplus in the
national Treasury. Such a state of
affairs indicates congestion in pub
lie. affairs, anu pictures of the mag
nifcence of St. Petersburg
in the midst of barrenness and suff.
ering. affords some counterpart to
the erection of a national surplus in
the day of national depression.
The country has right TO ask for
tariff reform and the democratic par
~ will be held accountable for fail
ure, at least, to originate it in the
House,
But reform does not mean revolu-
ton. Means to purge the ways of
justice should never begin by firing
the court house, and reform in ma
lonal revenues should not be en-
trusted to Outspoken and admitted
free traders. 1t Is one of the great
evils of our government that abuses
are allowed tie become so fragrant and
oppressive that fanatical elements
are of:-times moved to redress and
radical methods are employed where
Wholesome adjustment should be adj
ministered. The country has 50 long
suffered from the iniquities of all ex-
acting war tariff and internal revenue
system that the men who have at
last sprung to its correction are max.
ing their revolutionary doctrines
plausible, and are now appealing to
the party with some show of sup
port.
A moments reflection must con.
vince one that the Kentucky doctri-
naries have overstepped the bounds
In taking the matter of revenue re-
form'into their own hands. Their
free trade theories are fallacious and
injurious and their first remedy pro-
posed, the Morrison bill, is buugling
and impracticable. The Chronicle is
ardeDtly and unalterably the advocate
of tariff reform, but not of such re-
form as the present tariff adjusters
are likely to effect, and we are eter-
nally opposed to the method already
presented to the country. 1t is no
improvement at all and does not pre-
sent the first germ Of reform. As
has been we'll said, the Morrison bill
will set back the work of tariff reform
for ten years
Our friend will see that the Jour
nails upon the platform of the
Chronicle are the best and truest
frineds Of tariff reform. leaving out
of the question the adjustment of
internal revenue taxes, which we
have already favored, our real posi-
ton is that the tariff must be re-