Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-06-14
POLITICAL POINTERS.
Chat Is iib s7r y. NJ. Heating on the P0lif.
icai Platforms and Parry Candidat cs
and Policies

icaI EiiaiiorlEis and Parry Cantidat cs
and Policies
Kansas City Times, Thursday: Mr. NJ
Keating editor OF the Memphis APPEAL,
and one of the most prominent Democrats
of the South, who is here with the Mem
phis excursionists, was asked yesterday
what he thought of the national contest
about to he engaged in, and how ie re-
garded the Democratic chances for success.
Il think we can carry the country with.
out any difficulty" be exclaimed. ''If the
Democrats nominate Tilden or some other
good man there will be little Trouble in
electing him."
"On what issues do you think tae con-
test should be madef"
"On reform, in broad sense, and re-
durtion OF the revenue"
Should civil service reform be one of
the Democratic planks?"
"Civil service reform, pure and unde-
filed, is fascinating idea to an earnest,
sincere man, but-there seems to be a ten
dency to make out of it a bureaacracy io
this country, creating class OF Office hold
ers, distinctively. This is so cbjecti On
able, so repugnant to American instincts
and ideas OF government, that more odium
than honor is likely TO attach to the at
tempts of party TO place civil service re-
form, as generally understood, among the
prominent planks of its platform. Pcac.
teal reform in all branches of the govern
nent is what IS needed; tie adychacy Of i:
by the Democratic parry | strongly favor
"What should be the Democratic plat
form p
81 think the Democratic platform
should declare positively in favor of free
trade. | wouldn't have the PARTY comn.it
Itself TO the total abolisflnent OF TIE tariff
at once, but free trade is in the oonsti;u-
ton and is the true principle of govern
ment, and | am i'll favor of q wise, jrdi-
cious, gradual reduction Of the internal
and external revenues, the tariff to be
revised every two years, until the ex-
penses OF the government have been
diminished to such a point that free
trade is made practicable. Money must
be raised to pay off the debts of the
government, the pensions and other
obligations, and the luxuries of life-the
liquors. tobacco, etc.-should be made to
pay tribute by internal taxation, and
importations should pay customs duties.
For the present some importations other
than luxuries must be taxed, but am in
favor of sweeping away all ad valorem
duties and placing a specified tax on a
specified article, so that any nan can see
by simple reference to the list just what
the customs duties are.
"How do you think Blaine will run in
the South ?"
''He has great many admirers in the
Southern States, men who like his dash
and his style of craftsmanship. The
course he took in the reconstruction legis-
lation has been forgiven, but Mr.. Blaine
will not carry a single Southern State,
That can be relied upon"
"Do you think Blaine's foreign policy
will win him any great number OF votes ?'
81 don't believe the American people
want any foreign policy. The Washing
tonian principles can never be improved
upon. In literature nothing can go beyond
Shakespeare and in politics no policy can
transcend that Of Washington. We want
strong government, but a simple one
We don't want to feel the Federal govern.
Inent, or realize beyond the mere knowl.
edge that we are subject to Federal gov.
ernment. So in foreign affairs, what we
want is simply to stand aloof. Hands off,
is the maxim to be adopted by us and
Will, reference to us; We want no en-
tangling alliances with foreign powers"
'Will the spectacle of Blaine attitudiniz
ing before foreign governments with q
chip on his shoulder, fire the popular heart
with enthusiasm FOR him ?"
''lf the efforts of stump speakers avail
anything some enthusiasm will be aroused
on that score. Bat l do not believe the
country generally will indorse Mr.. Blaine's
hot t-headed policy. This country does not
want, and will not sustain aggression Mr.
Blaine's aggressi ye foreign policy is not
one that can be indorsed by the safe men
the conservative business men of the
country"
''Do you think the bloody shirt will be
waved in the coming campaign"
'srhey may get it out and give il a flirt
or two, but think the Cincinnati riots
viii SO completely Offset any Mississippi
occurrences that the bloody shirt viii MOI
prove aa effective campaign argument"