New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-14
THE RfVENUE BILLS.

There is talk of an effort to secure combina-
ton to prevent consideration OF one or the
other of the revenue bills, Mr. Morrisons or
Mr. Randal's. Both these bills deserve the
same fate Neither deserves consideration, be-
cause neither is at all adapted to the necessities
of the case. 1t is the duty of this Congress to
make some provision regarding the surplus.
Secretary Manning officially reports that the
surplus next year will be 1925, 600, in
cludiug the So, OOO, 600 monthly paidfor silver,
and about 800, OOC 900 excluding that sum.
If the Democrats, who are charged with the re-
sponsibiity of government, have any measure
to propose which will meet this emergency, tbs
Republicans may with reason consider 1t. but
they have no occasion to waste public time IN
consideration of any political cheat, which Is
not intended to meet the emergency out ony
to throw dust In the eyes of voters and enable
Democrats 10 pretend that they tried 10 meet It,.
Mr.. Morrison's bill WAS never an honest rev.
enue.n,easure it was merely political cheat
from the beginning, intended to make votes lot
one Democratic faction. In hel ping Mr.. Ran
dali to kill that measure, the Republicans were
perfectly right They have far greater reason
to take the same cot rse now, first, because the
people have expressed their displeasure at free
trade bills generally, by the defeat OF many
mem bers who had part in framing and support
ing them. and at Mr.. MorrsOn's bill IN partlcu-
l,r. by defeating him, and second, because 1t
cannot now be even pretended that the bill
aims to make sufficient reduction in revenue
to prevent accumulation OF surplus and con-
traction of currency. A bill reducing duties Is
urged on the pretence that surplus should be
met by reduction of revenue, ana not oy III
ciea of expenditures. Those whD set up that
pretepce are bound to offer bill which will re-
duce the revenue $100,000,OO0. more or less
or to show that the Secretary is wrong, and now
much the surplus will be, and to introduce a
bill reducing the revenue that much. All III AT
part of Mr.. Morrison's bill which changes pro-
tective duties would increase the revenue oy
increasing imports. The additions to the free
list are entirely and palpably inadequate to re-
duce the revenue as he claims that it ought to
be reduced.
MIR. Randalrs bill is not as object enable in its
methods, but just as i'll fitted to the emergency.
II il supposed that Mr.. MOrrisOn's bill might re-
duce the revenue 100000, AID Mr.. Ran
dalrs even less the consideration of either is
folly W hen the thing required is to get rid of a
Democrats are only trying to befOol the people
by insiacere preiences and fraudulent evaslons
of their duty The Republicans are not under
any obligation to help them in that work. Ii
| Mr.. Randall and his friends are prepared to
pledge themselves that, il addition to reduc-
ton of 100000 900, more or less, in the rev
enue they will support increased appropriations
of a kind which Republicans can approve-fol
education of the people, for defence OF sea-
ports, or for other truly National and worthy
obiects-that would be az other matter. But sc
long as they refuse to support any honest policy
of that character, and insist that the revenue
must be reduced, they are bound to submit
| plan of reduction that is honest and meets TIT
| case. -
Refusal or neglect to meet this question viii
involve next year a contraction of $S,OOO,OO'
to 100000 per month in the currency
The men who undertake to govern this country
ought to be held strictly to their responsibility
and compelled to show how they propose to re
duce revenue or increase expenditure by tn
SUN of 800, OO0, 900 yearly. Every attemp
to dodge that responsibility. by substituting on
dishonest political trick or another, ought to
defeated by Republican votes.