The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-14
Representative Barksdale's Views
on Live National Questions.
Mr.. o. O. srEALEY:

Mr.. o. O. STEALEY:
DEAR SIR: will answer your inquiries
briefly. as follows:
1. Under the present rules of the
House of Representatives the appro-
priation bills very properly have prece-
dence, but the Chairman of the Com |
Laittee on Appropriations can, at his dis
erection, exercise the power thus confer |
red so as to obstruct legislation upon |
measures to which he may be opposed. |
1t is an extraordinary prerogatiye, OF
which he should be Invested. In my
Judgment, the rules should be amended
so as to provide that the general appro-
priation bills, Except the suudry Civil
and Deficiency bills), should be con-
trolled by the Standing Committees APP
pertaining to the several departments,
which are presumably more competent
to deal with them.
2. / am no. in favor of the suspen-
sion of the coinage of the silver dollar.
Whatever may be the motive of those
who propose it, sucn a step would be
construed by other nations as an admis-
sion by this government that bimettal
ism-,he use of both gold and silver as
moneys failure Nor can see any
sufficient reason why the law providing
for the issuance of silver certificates
should be changed. Silver coin is an
essential part of the Constitutional cur
rency of the country. Experience has
abundantly attested the wisdom of the
| trainers of the Government in requiring
the coinage of both metals. An obsta-
Gle to the addition of more bullion, as
some propose, to the existing silver dol
lar, is that it is a fixture of the con-
tract between the government and its
creditors. To add more grains to 1t,
would be to increase the burden of debt
upon the shoulders of the taxpayers.
| Notwithstanding the unfriendly treat
ment of the silver dollar by those who
have been entrusted with the execution
of the laws, it has not deprecated. Ii
the distance between the commercial
value of the two metals has widened by
the appreciation of gold, it is because OF
this unfriendly treatment. Should it be
found necessary to equalize their values
it might be done by reducing the gold
dollar. There are no classes except those
who have paid incomes, or whose CAPT
!; tai consists of money, or untaxed gov
eminent securities, who would be bene
flied by contracting the currency, anc
/ relying upon a gold basis exclusively
: 1t has been well said that bimettalism i
, tradition of the law of the United
States, interviewer with all the interest
) of the people, and | am not willing t.
take any step which will lead to de
parture from this policy. "Honest money
consisting of gold and 'siIuer,' is wei
settled article of the Democratic creed
3. | am in favor of such a change O
, the tariff laws as will conform to the doc
! trine of tariff for revenue to defray tn
expenses of the government economical
ly administered. Incidental protectio
to home indus tries is logical cOnst
quence of such system; but revenue
and not protection, should be the objeC
of the change.
Is f. The Internal Revenue laws, in m
y judgment, need no change except
j, economic and simplify the collection {
s. the tax The Internal Revenue tax
e the tax on spirits and tobacco-yields
revenue of more than 100000, 900 pr
T. annum. Its repeal will render necessar
y the continuation of the oppressive ia
u imposed by the tariff on the neeessari,
- of life. The tax ON the luxuries Ell
= braced in the Internal Revenue syste
~ should be continued. The tax on tt
n articles of necessity imposed by Writ
to of the tariff, should be reduced.
As 5. Hon j. G.. Carlisle is my choi,
as for Speaker His administration of tt
n Office during the forty eighth Congre
~ fully met the high expectation of Il
e. political friends by whom he was chose
lg and at the close of his term resolutit
ID bearing testimony to the able and fait
ID full manner in which he had performt
y the trust, was introduced by Reput
AZ can member and was adopted by accl
IL nation. His reelection should be
ie matter of course.
: Yours respectfully,
iS E. BARKsDALE.