Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-16
Is II a Challenge ?


Is It a Challenge?
Read the following mysterious ntterance-
made by the New York Tribune last Sstur,
dsy. and then put on your studying cap
and tell US what II portends. We quote:
awhile they fthe Democratic are quar-.
rclllng, the Republicans can occupy them.
selves In considering what reduction OF
taxes they could effect IL they had been en-
trusted with power. They could safely
abolish all duties on sugar and all taxes on
tobacco, amounting to about SS0, 1000, 600
Let us see whether the Democrats can do
as well.
"Louisisna planters would object TO the
repeal Of the duty on sugar. but they have
Just elected another unbroken Democratic
delegation by suppressing the votes OF
majority Of tue people OF that State. IL Is
not encouraging for the people OF other
States 10 tax themselves any longer Tor the
exclusive benefit Of Louisiana planters,
who trample upon the laws Of the United
States In order TO give political power to
fiee-irsde party. On the other hand, the
voters Of yiIginis and North Carolina. Ken.
lucky, and Tennessee have shown a growing
attraction TO the Republican policy OF protec-
ton. Ii would be TO them q very welcome
thing TO have the internal tax on tobacco
abolished, aud the Republicans, II they
were entrusted with responsibility, could
make that change with safety. An increase
Of the duty on tin plates, on steel wire rods
and ipgots, and a restoration OF the duties
on wool, would also be natural parts OF a
Republican policy, so that home industry
should be encouraged as well by better de-
fence against foreign competition as by less
ching OF burdens. What policy equally
beneficial can the Democratic majority
ofIeri"
These are remarkable suggestions, COM
ing, as they do, from the leading BLAINE
organ in the United States. Are they sig
nifcant OF a change Of methods Of
clectioneering Is the bloody.shirt to give
way TO Establishments may, to an offer TO
remove system which IL odious 10 the peo-
pie Of Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky. and
North Carolinai What else can the Tribune
meant II certainly assumes in the para.
graphs quoted above that such policy
would be adopted by the Republicans II
they were In power both in Congress and
In the Executive Department. There's the |
trick OF the 7ri6une's "little game" Its |
party - UCt III poMti, niiu tucitiOic
bride Virginia in the manner proposed.
Let the Democrats in Congress, aud espe- |
ciaIly those from Virginia, be warned In |
time. Have they done their full duty in |
the past In their efforts to secure the aboi- |
ton Of all internal taxesy Now that they |
have on their side Ill the opponents OF the |
oIeonargmine law. the enemies Of the In |
ternalrevenue system are stronger than
they were at the last session OF Congress.
They ought TO be warned by the li1bune's
''ieelers" that there is in that system dan
ger to the success OF the Democratic party
in the next presidential election, aud that
BLAINE is the artfnl demagogue who, IL
anybody, can make that danger much
greater than 1t now appears TO be.
There Is threat as well as an implied
promise In the 7ribune's article. 1t would
punish Louisiana for voting the Democratic
ticket. II would reward Virginia, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina for
voting the Republican ticket. But, as We
have said, this threat, as well as this pro-
mise, is not TO be considered as binding
upon BLAINE. Why not? Because the Re-
publicans are hot in power in Washington.
II Is the old story
THE devil was sick. the devil monk would
be:
The devil got well, the devil o monk was
he."
In other words, beware Of men who are
so willing TO promise to do what they have
no power TO do. When they become able.
they are too apt to become unwilling.
When the Republicans secure the power,
they will have lost the will, 10 abolish in-
ternal taxes.
Nevertheless, the Democrats in Congress
from Virginia should show by their works
that they at least are In earnest in their OPP
position to the internal taxes.
How? Well, look how Mr.. HATCH, OF
Missouri, at the last session OF Congress,
forced the olcomargarine bin through the
House OF Representatives. He knew that
he had majority at his back-in other
words, that more than bali the members
dared not vote against that bill, aud so. In
spite OF protrac.ed flibnstering and power
full arguments on the other side, he eDgi-
neerca that bin TO successful passage. So,
let us say by the way, some able friend OF
the BLAIR bill ought to treat it. There
were votes taken In the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes at lis last session which clearly
indicated that II the BLAIR bill had been
forced to vote, 1t would have passed.
On the bin TO abolish all internal taxes
the Democrats ought TO force the House to
vote dating It's next session. To be able
10 show that they had voted for that bill,
even n msuccessfully, would be to better
the position certainly OF our own members
In the minds OF the voters Of Virginia. MIR,
RANDALL Is an open aud bold advocate oil
the abolition Of all internal taxes, and /.
the very man who ought to be put forward
10 compel vote upon that measure.