Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-12
JUDGE BRANNoN.

a couciss, Comprehensive Stakemsnt of
His views on the Tariff Question.
Yesterday Judge Brsnpon, of Weston,
late Democratic candidate for Congress
Was found by RECIsEER representative.
During the campaign there was much dis
cussion IS to his pOSiaon on the tariff ques-
ton. There is scarcely any less now, and
il is to settle definitely and finally all ques-
ton of doubt on the subject that the RIG
1srER reprOduces an interview had with the
Judge, as follows:
"DO you believe the Democratic party viii
50 adjus. the rates Of the tariff tax that pre-
iudice to capital and labor smplOyed in
manufactures viii reaultT
81 do not Both parties are committed
to reform on the subject. There is large
per cent Of the Republican party who un-
equivOcally pronounce for reform on that
subject 1t would seem strange that any
party would claim it to be proper by any
kind Of taxation to collect about one hun
dred millions Of dollars annually more than
is necessary to support the government and
to meet all its obligations, pensions, etc. It
would seem to be more strange that any
party would maintain there is power BY any
taxation to collect more than may be neces-
ssry TO meet such demands Of the govern
ment So, therefore, the reform which may
be adopted win most likely be the work of
beth parties.
The Democratic party viii, no doubt at
the earliest time practicable repeal the inter-
nal revenue laws That viii leave the gov
eminent to raise from two to three hundred
millions Of dollars annually. That viii af-
ford ample range for all necessary Inciden-
tai protection. Again our exports, for years,
chiefly from the fields, have exceeded i'm
ports IN value from fifty to two hundred
millions annually The country will not
want such excess discharged by the manu-
tsCtures Of foreign countries Looking to
the necessity Of the government, for sup
port, at present the matter of a
tariff adequately protective will
necessarily result. But the question Of the
present day is the labor quesrion. Protec-
ton does not keep labor N the mines, fur
naces and shops employed. Such has
been the improvement in machinery, and
such is the capacity in manufacturing in
our country that Rrtizans, skilled and other
labor is not constantly employed. With
constant employment, overptoduction is the
result. Production without q market Is
alike disastrous to both capital and labor.
10 avoid this and to support our !sbor sys-
TENS, is the practical problem Of the day.
We must look to the fruits of labor in the
fields. shops and mines England to day is
expanding wheat production in India and
building railroads to its wheat fields. The
production of wheat in the Baltic sea eoun-
try is being increased. All this is to cut
of or materially diminish our expectation
of wheat and breadstuffs.
One of the needs of the country Is to have
the very cheapest transportation on the
land and seas attainable. With It the dis
advantage may be overcome.
What do you think Of the pending treaty
with Spain?
/ have not looked intoit much, and cannot
saw that have any decided views about 1t.
/ did look to the value of our exports toand
imports from the Spanish dependencies in
1878. to which the treaty is intended to ap
ply. Our exports then, l believe, amounted
to about Sli, 100000 annually. The i'm
norts from them to about $50,000,O0O an
nuaIly. The relative differences may moi
have changed 1t occurs to me that unless
we can pay for the imports from them
which consist chiefly Of sugar, tobacco and
tropical fruits, with our exports, or approx
mately 50. q ratification is not desirable.