The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-04-04
TELEGRAPHIC.
EX-S SENATOR M'DONALD
A Chat on Politics with the Indiana
Statesman.
The Revenue Question the Leading
Issue---His Opinion OF the
Morrison BiiI--Poiitics
in Indiana.

CHICAGO, April 4-Ex. United States
Senator Joseph E. Mcdonald, of
Indiana, chairman of the Democratic cen.
tral committee of that state is at the Grand
Pacific hotel, where a reporter called upon
him and asked him:
What is the political outlook in Indianaa'
"There is a very lively contest going on
over the township elections soon to occur.
The election of town trustees is of considera-
bic political Importance as those officers
are inspectors of elections, and both parties
are hard at work, with the chances, l think
in favor of the Democracy The vote
promises to be quite large on both Sides
"How about the gubernatorial election?"
''As chairman of the Democratic central
committee, it would not be proper for ME to
say anything about the candidates. think
the Democrats will elect their man"
What have you to say about the presi-
dental situationn
"The campaign will be fought on the rev.
enue reform question undoubtedly, and |
think the Democratic national convention
will insert tariff f-for-revenue' plank in their
platform. / see no necessity for taxing
people beyond the necessities of government
be made without detTiment"
"How about the Morrison bill?n
1t is step in the right direction, and,
taken in connection with the present act,
don't see how it could accomplish its purpose
any better. You've got to take house as
you find it; you do not commence to Tear it
down. With regard to wool, l think it
ought to take its chances with any other ar
ticle. would apply the 20 per cent reduc-
tion. The Morrill, tsrif act of 1861, which
was war measure, is the minimum upon
which the bin is based. I find the RepubIi-
cans are a unit for no legislation on the
subject, and the Democrats are in
favor of a tariff for revenue | do not
know whether Mr.. Randall will vote against
the Morrison bill or not. l think it will
pass the house substantially in its present
form, and after it is discussed and becomes
fully understood they will not fisd it such an
incongruous measure as they think The bill
does not touch wines, liquors and silks. Ny
impression is that at least one of the senators
from Nebraska and perhaps one from Kansas
will vote for the measure and l think that
Senator Allison would vote for it if he was
not controlled by his party believe the
Democrats can carry New York on policy
of revenue reform such as that have re-
ferred to, and don't think they have
any chance of carrying Connecticut on
any platform. New Jersey is a pretty
solid Democratic stats. Take the CONNER.
cial interests of New York and it is favora
BILE to policy of this kind. think VIC car
carry New York and Indiana. As to Ohio
it depends on whom the Republicans nom
mate. New York is a Democratic STATE
whenever the various elements are united
and think they are going to unite this time
There are two states that will unite on any
| tieket-New York and Indiana. l an
| not in favor of the abolition oi
| internal revenue until after we pay off the
| expenses incurred by the war, and the ex
penses of the government ought to be pro
vided for out of the customs revenue As fal
as the Greenback party are in favor of reve
| nue. reform they and agree. l have never
been able to bring myself to think that fla
money is a good thing to base our finances
| on"
| The senator further said that he left Mr.
| Watterson and Mr.. Randall in the lobby O
| the house last Friday ON the very best terms
| apparently. AS to President Arthur h,
thought he had made very good president
and was very fine specimen of gentleman
and man of fair executive ability