Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-26
TARIFF DISCUSSION.
Hon. 4. N. Turner, of HRrrisOB, GIve'
HIS Views
To ne Editor # !ke Register.

To the EttiOr ~ tie hegtStef.
HARRISON COUNTY, W. Va, April q,
lsS4.-Availing myself OF the invitation
extended in the columns of your psper
few days ago, for discussion of that most
vital question of current political thought
the Tariff / propose, with your per
mission, to discuss this question IN a series
of articles and from the Democratic posi-.
ton Of tariff for revenue only"
l shall preface this discussion with the
expression Of my decided conviction that
il behooYes the Democratic party to take
issue with the Republicans on this question
at once, without equiyocation. A proni-
nent Democrat of this State remarked 70
me few days ago, at the Charleston con-
VentiOn, speaking of the apparent effort OF
some yeak-minded Democrats to dodge the
tariff issue: The Republicans got the
Democrats on the run during the war and
they have been ruLnIag ever since.
Whenever the Republicans start an
issue the Democrats begin lodging anu
running away from it, THIS Is too
true; aud We are III danger now Ot furnish
RGAP95RRsfFs IsASGA ,fior tR6pS tgrJ Or Or four
years and ratiiying What the Republicans
cid two year, or four years before. The
p7esert disposition Of the party 10 straddle
The question is but another Illustration oi
v hat Ihrea'euS 10 become 4 chronic weak
LESS. Oue thing is certain The tariff vii
De :, yiseu in ,Leut xttwO years, emu it rests
with the Democracy TO cay whether tney
will DO il or lssye IL to be done by the IL
TutiirtnS. In this connection | beg 70 cal
etlentlI TO Il remarkable statement mad,
py ), naJUr Morrill, Of Vermont, IL
tue Senate few days ago up1G
his subject. Speaking in reply It.
Senator be"k 5 argument for reducing the
tariff, he said, among other things: AT al
early day alter the adjournment OF the
present Congress, not too long time to
TEST the existing tariff, If it shall appear
that We are giving 10 the Tt. ssury too
much revenue. l trust that il will be then
promptly reduced, but l also hope tn4t
oil suCh reduction will be conducted by
T. ends, and not by those who would
slsught the gre at industry OF the country
aid put the wages Of the labor here upon
tie level Of that received by people who
ole compelled to support large Standing
Industries"
Coming from the great leader OF the dis
CiJ les Of protection IN the Senate, these
words Sre sIfniticant. They are intended
nJmbsr of Republican voters who are De
RiI nTg to realize the disastrous result
of the present protective system, and
are agitating for reform of the tariff
These words are intended to hold out to
them the hope and purpose OF the party IN
power and reform the tariff, as soon as
they regain control Uf both branches OF
OrgreSs, and thus keep them in line for
the next election. Not more than a week
sgo expressed 70 friend tue belief that
within two years the Republicans, if re.
stored to power in Congress, would reform
the tariff and reduce it, If the Democratic
psrty should let snip their present Cppor
truly. But h~T no ides tina on the
~ day 1mRd t G remark, the prOEr I'm
was actually announced cy the aCknOgt
edged leader Of the pTOteCtlOnists In the
Senate Of the United States.
The tariff will be reformed and reduced.
The only question is winch party shalt do
IL, upon what principal Wi | il be done, anu
when sna,i 1t be done? Tnese questions
shall uuueTtEEe 10 discuss, beginning with
the last.
First. In answer to the question when
shall the tariff be reduced, answer em
phatiCllly, now. What is our situation?
We ere taking from the people annually by
taxation, more than one hundred million
dollars for which the government b IS no
use. Our bonded debt is in SUCH shape
that not more than $3.50 900 900 can be paid
before the year 1891, unless we go into the
open market and pay a premium upoa
bonds not due til thst time. At the pres
ent rate Of payment the bonds within our
reach will b. p1id in less than three years
Then for four years We shall have an an
nusl surplus Of SlOO 600 600 which We can
not use unless Congress makes y raid on
the treasury and squanders il in JOBS
We must, therefore, re luce taxation. W.
cannot take the tax from whisky. Con
sress has Just declared by an over Shelming
shortly that whisky must conlinus TO be
taxed. Il would be destruction to any
psrty that would abolish il. rhe other ia
itrnal taxes do not amount to half the sur
plus revenue. Tie tariff therefore mas.
be reduced, and it must 5e done at once
Jobs Of various kinds are already planning
TO make way with the surplus revenue AMI
thus prevent reduction of the tariff The
educational bill threatens to deSpoil the
treasury Of 81 90 600 in the Rext ten
years By the wSy, consider this DILL tae
most dangerous in its results of any legs
lation ever enacted by an American CJl-
Rress. IL will end in throSinS the eNtirr
conUol OF the school systems Of the State
into IT. bands of the Federal soyerumsn',
Then We have new psGsion laws proposes J.,
lettipg down the bars to every body for
pension. Wherever there is pI; OF
moissSes there will be q swarm Of
dtyourinS insects. The corrupting
influences of an overlooking treasury arr
historical, and there is no magic By which
We esn sseaPe them. The sooner We re;
rid Of this surplus the better. This $780,
00, coo OF surplus in the treasury is JUS,
thai much taken from the business OF the
country. Stop collecting il. and allow it
TO remain in the channels OF trade, 10 give
employment 70 labor a largs smous OF
which is nov idle add living on itself
psrtly, and mainly because Of this onerous
tsxstion. Let the peoples money remain
III The peoples pockets, except so much IS