Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-07


Tha Renublicau managers are gradual-
" forcing the tariE issue into prominence
Their aim is to make 1t the only issue De-
fore the campaign closes. In his ONO
speeches Blaine's effort was to show that
the prosperity Of the country and the vel
fare OF the wOrkingmen demanded high
protective tariff.
It is certain that the same course viii
be pursued in New York, New Jersey and
perhaps the New England States imme-
diatelv after the October elections.
What Is being done By the Democratic
managers 10 couateract the influence OF
the Republican high-tariff arguments;
They are assaulting Blaine's character
and record. They are successful in show
ing that be was political jObber, and that
he was engaged in transactions during
his Congressional career that are con-
demred by honest and honorable
men. Assuming that all the disreputabie
things that have been said about Blaine
are true. and there are excellent reasons
for thinking that they are, what eject
will thew have on his chances OF electlont
Are the great mass Of those who favor
him influenced by his personal qualities
OF bv the fact that he il the representative
Of the policy Of the Republican party? 1t
would Be well to have a satisfactory an
swer to this question before the campaign
advances too far. If Blaine's strength is
entirely personal, the wisdom Of deyoting
50 much time and attention TO his record
and his character viii hardly be ques-
toned. but if the party's policy is being
almost wholly depended upon for success,
would il not be well TO give more atten-
ton 70 that policy;
II the workingmen are told over and
over again that a high protective tarin,
Y such as the country is burdened with at
! present. is their only hope Of being saved
/ from pauperism and perhaps starvation,
1 and this statements not contradicted and
{ shown 20 be false. it is natural they should
/ believe It and vote in accordance with
that belief.
In the West the statements Of the high
F. tariff organs and orators are cOntradicted
and their arguments refuted. In some OF
the Western states the Republicans are
not anxious to discuss the tariff issue.
The people are in favor Of a low tariff.
/ They understand the iniquities OF the pres
ent tariff. and know how great the bur
dens are that il imposes upon them.
But in the Eastern States the Democrats
are not meeting the tariff issue. They
are. TO a certain extent, evading it be-
| cause they think that TO advocate tariff
for public purposes exclusively would
| damage the party's prospects Of success.
Is not this a mistaken Workingmen who
believe that a protective tariff is essential
10 their welfare are going 10 vote for
Blaine. even though all the organs and
! orators OF the Democratic party strive 70
| convince them that the Democratic party
can be depended upon for a tariff tnat
will protect the American labOrer. They
know that the Democratic party favors a
reduction Of the tariff TO a revenue basis.
Its record is in the direction OF
revenue reform. The way to reach the
workingman's vote is not by promising
him as high a protective tariff as the Re-
publican party maintains, but by show
ing him that his interests and the inter
ests OF the whole country viii be served
by tariff reform.
| In 1860 the government collected only
S6Q.QQ0. 900 a year. Last year the immense
sum Of S34s. 900 was collected. Very
nearly s. 80 more per capita is collected
now than when the Republican party came
into power. This heavy tax is drawn from
the poor as well as the rich, but it is only
| burdens0me to the poor. This year there
is a surplus Of SlO4, 900, 600. Who can
| correctly estimate how much this policy
| Of the Republican party Of collecting SO
many millions more than is needed to
meet the expenses Ofthe government, has to
do with the present business depression in
| all parts OF the country? Thousands OF
workingmen in almost every State are
idle. 1t isn't a question Of how much
wages they are TO get. The question with
them is how to keep from starving.
Il is a mistake for the Democrats in
New York or any other Eastern State to
meet Republican nigh tariff arguments
BY promising as much protection as the
Republicans promise. The tariff issue
ought to be met in the East as Hendricks,
and Carlisle and Mcdonald are meeting
It in the West. 1t is a good deal easier to
| convince workingmeu that tariff reform
IS for their good than it is to convince
them that the Democratic party IS a
| friend OF the protective system.