Evening star., 1886-11-29
DEMOCRATS On THE TARIFF.
ON the Question of lse'
dllcing the Revenues.

Some weeks ago the Boston Globe sent letters OF
inquiry to leading democratic congressman, ask
ing what action Congress should take on the tarin
question in the coming session. Nearly all the re-
plies favor revision OF the present laws though
they differ as to the means by which it should BE-
accomplished. The following is an abstract OF the
replies:
Representative Collins says: "The attitude OF
the majority should be to press some scheme of
reduction to vote under the operation Of the pre-
vious question, ii possible"
Representative Bragg writes: "Believing myself
That reduction OF the tariff is essential 10 pros
perfty in business to the country at large am in
favor OF keeping 1t constantly to the front until
uTe of commercial freedom is obtained
Representative Lowering writes from Washing
ton: ''Some measure OF relief from onerouS taxes
by revision OF the tariff should be given TO the
country at the coming session OF Congress-. But
with majority OF seventeen in the present House
taS shown by its votes last spring., against any
consideration OF the subject, l am not much en-
couraged to look for any measure OF practical re-
lief on this important question by the present Con-
greSS. Nor can see much 10 encourage the be-
lief that the Ffftieth Congress will do any better
and will venture the prediction that III any at
tempt by it is made TO reduce the surplus revenues
IL VIII be rather by aboliShfng the internal rev
enue tax on whisky and tobacco than by reducing
the tax upon those articles OF prime necessity en-
tering into the everyday consumption or the
masses OF the people"
Representative Morrison writes as follows: .sThe
attitude OF the majority party I'm the House this
attitude which viii best secure such reduction
that the tariff Will yield all the revenue we need.
and no more. without removing the internal reNe-
nue. tax Oh tobacco and liquors."
Representative Mills says: .'The democratic
party ought TO and will push the fight this winter
lor the reduction OF the tarfT. The people en-
gagged in this fight are enlisted for the war
Representative Warner says: 'I think the ma
JOrity party should favor tariff on all products
in the production OF which there Is a competition
between this and other countries sufficient 10
cover the difference in the cost OF production aris
ing out of the difference in the conditions under
which their production is carried on here and else
where. have been pleading with the leaders OF
my party to assume more aggressive policy.
Representative Hiatt says: II saw, soon after
the Inauguration OF President Cleveland, that his
policy was going to run In the same channel WITH
the republican policy. They are identical on the
finance On the tariff and on the land questions
Cletelands policy is i'm opposition to any regula-
uop OF railroad freightS, and, in word, Is a sim
pie sub-lettfng OF republicanism to democratic
colOrs With such a policy the great mass OF the
people have become disguised, and thousands OF
democrats, TO my knowledge have voted the re-
publican ticket to manifest their diSapprobation
OF CevelandS suicidal policy"
Representative FOran, believes in q fsjuSt, fair,
and reasonable revision ami modification OF the
tariff keeping always In view incidental protec-
tlOn as well as revenue"