The Portland daily press., 1884-02-05

| about $780," We think the fine Roman
hand of the Mayor is apparent in this ex-
PLANTATION, which the Auditor was not called
upon to make, and which is, not to put too
fine point on it, exceedingly thin. How in
geniously reference to the unusual draft up-
on the appropriation for public buildings is
avoided! The Chestnut street schoolh euse
JOB Is not mentioned, although it is notorl-
GUS that it is chiefly responsible for the de-
ficiency in the contingent fund, much
larger sum having been taken out of the
contingent to exc out the appropriation for
| this purpose which, acas contemplated in
the estimates than for any other purpose.
And what does cor otherwise mean?
There is only one other sentence in this
queer report, and it is as queer as any of
them: ''The Commercial street sewer, as
completed, has not exceeded its appropria-
tions." Probably not; but it has exhausted
its appropriation, and the job is left in an
incomplete state, an eyesore and nuisance,
and it win entail an expense upon the
next financial year. GAS completed is
good.
This report is not entitled TO be called a
financial statement 1t is simply an inge =
ious apology for financial statements
which the Auditor has kindly added la }
apology for Mayor behring's administration.
The Tariff and The Democratic
Ticket.
The tariff bill introduced by Mr.. Morrison
yesterday, makes, it is reported an average
reduction of about 20 per cent. on every
thing except Injuries, which are not affect
ed by it. $4,000 900 is the sum which it is
proposed to strike from the revenue. The
bill has yet to receive consideration in the
committee on ways and means, and several
members, among them Mr.. Hewitt will try
to effect its amendment in important partic-
ulars before 1t is reported to the House MI
Morrison expresses confidence that the COM
mittee will report it in week or ten days;
but he is sanguine. He also expresses the
opinion that a substantial tariff reduction
bill will be passed by the House. In this
view more sagacious members of Congress
than he is do not concur There is more
and hole development of sentiment on the
Democratic side against meddling with the
tariff before the election. A Senator whose
name is not given, is credited with the fol-
lowing explanation of the growing unwill-
lngness OF Democrats to go ahead in the way
indicated by the election of Mr.. Carlisle for
Speaker instead of Mr.. Randall
great combination has been formed to give the
Democratic nomination to Henry b. Payne His
election as Senator was simply a starter. Payne
Randall and Tilden are the orignators of this move
ment. They will put any amount of money into the
National Convention. Its success can be prejudged
| by Paynes easy purchase of the Ohio Legislature.
They will argue that the Southern States are SUI ly
Democratic. Payne is a national bank man. a ha l.
none advocate, a capitalist, a high-tariff man. a
mon polist, if you will. With him as a Candida
the Democi aey will say to the capitalists of the
| N nth, the manufacturers and bankers 1--WE give
you man who can but be satisfactory. With him
as President all your interests shall be protected
On this plan the tariff Republicans will be disarmed
and the moneyed interests of New York city which
at least twice in time of financial need have put the
Republicans on rack, will take little or no great
interest as between Payne and Republican I'M
der these circumstances. New York. Connecticut,
SSASSJ
for Democratic success 1t would be strange sight
to have the Democrats belying all their professions
and nominating Payne, but this is the plan. Elect
President first, and then tackle the tariff if you
want it, is the cry of this Payne Randall Tilden
combination Payne and Butler is their ticket
Payne to catch the corporations, Butler the rabbe.
The sober Democrats do not dare to go on free
trade platform. 1t loses them surely New York,
Indiana and New Jersey. 1t gives North Carolina
almost surely to the Republicans and makes West
Virginia and Tennessee debatable ground. You will
see that Morrison viii be slowly stopped up that no
tariff bill will pass; that Payne will be nominated,
and the tariff viii have secondary issue this fall.
If not and Morrison is allowed to dictate, the Re
publcans are sure to win. This, in general, has
been the drift Of talk in Northern Democratic cir
cles 1t foreshadows fight in the Democratic
ranks not to be decided by tariff bill formulated
by any one man, but in the broader National Con-
vention.
This is an interesting program; but what
an image of brass and clay such a ticket
would be!