St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-01-10
Tariff Reduction.


have a majority in the 49th Con
press unless some Of the Democrats
Who are now classed as tariff re-
formers prove to be protectionists
and follow the lead of Mr.. Randall.
II was generally understood in
the recent campaign that the Dem
ocratic party would make an effort
to reduce the tariff to a revenue
basis. There is hardly an intelli-
gent Democrat or Republican who
will deny this. There is a small
faction of the Democratic party
that favors a protective system.
Its representatives in Congress are
comparatively few. There were
enough of them, however, when
acting with the Republicans, to de-
feat the Morrison bill. Gov. Hen
bricks talked tariff reduction during
all the campaign. Gov. Cleveland
said little about the tariff, but it is
supposed to be well understood
that he is tariff reformer. The
next administration is certain to be
in favor Of reduction Of the tariff.
The whole country understood the
position Of the Democratic party
and it's candidates for President and
Vice-President with respect to the
tariff during the campaign. The
party has been successful, and the
government will soon pass to the
control Of the Democrats.
The conclusion IS irresistible
therefore, that the country is not
frightened at the prospect Of a res
duction of the tariff. The three
great manufacturing States are New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
They all gave their electoral votes
to the Democratic candidates.
In the West the tariff reduction
arguments of Mr.. Hendricks had
good effect. Indiana, which gave
q Republican plurality in 1880,
gave this year much larger DEM
ocratic plurality. Popular senti-
ment is moving in the direction Of
tariff reform, and there is a large
preponderance Of the same senti-
,ment with the Democrats Of the in
coming administration.
Mr.. Carlilse will be reelected
speaker. He was very popular be-
fore he was elected Speaker Of the
present House, and his popularity
has steadily grown. To secure the
position again he will have much
less trouble than he had ON the first
occasion. His reelection will mean
that the tariff fight will be renewed.
Indeed it is difficult to understand
how tits possible to avoid it. The
revenues Of the government must be
reduced, and there are only two
ways Of reducing them. One is to
abolish the internal revenue system,
and the other is to reduce the
tariff.
This Congress ought to do some
thing towards reducing the reVe-
nues, because the sooner the re-
ceipts Of the government are
brought down to about what the ex-
penses are the better it will be for
the country. There is not much
chance, however, for tariff legisla-
hon nv this Congress-. The Demo-
Gratis will, in all probability, prefer
TO wait until there is q Democratic
administration.
twill be seen that the people of
the West are wondering just now
how they are to meet the actual ex-
penses Of living, with wheat and
corn at present prices. That they
are beginning to realize the neces-
sity Tor cheaper clothing, agricul-
turaI implements and the other sup
plies they are compelled to have, is
shown By the tremendous falling off
in the usual Republican majorities
IN Western States. When the cam
paign is calmly reviewed it will be
seen that Messrs. Hendricks and
others, by their tariff speeches,
wrought remarkable change in
public sentiment in the West.
With these facts before us, it is evil
dent that the people favor tariff re-
duction, and their representatives
in Congress cannot hesitate to take
immediate action. Bossier Banner.