Smyrna times., 1886-12-15

The tariff question gives promise of being
one Of the leading subjects of discussion in
the present session Of Congress. President
Cleveland in his Message urged readiust-
ment of import duties, because the revenues
Of the Government exceeded its actual
needs. Messrs. Morrison, Carlisle. Hewitt
&c, go beyond the President in reform" "
that is virtually free trade, and will insist
IN the face Of the voice of the people against
them IN the last Congressional elections, for
their extreme measures. Senator Sherman.
in a speech in the Senate last week. said he
believed the revenues collected were too
large and the public safety and the public
interest demanded a careful reduction of
taxation, and that he had watched in vain
for eight months Of the last session for anv
proposition on the part of the Democrats to
reduce the taxes; but the trouble with them
was they could not agree among themselves.
Randall being protectionist, and leading
nearly One-quarter OF the Democrats in TINT
direction.
The President dealt so mildly With the
tariff and seemed so mixed in his mind
ab"3. .., ue inferred the seizure this
yea .. brief and mild or perhaps
wholly averted But it is already plain
that these hopes were baseless. 1t may be
that the free-trade leaders are inclined to
push the tight more strongly because they
think the President has lost ground with
Western men by his vague expressions Be
Che cause what it may, the free-trade fac
ton ia the House is full of fireand fury. It
says Mr.. Randall must walk the plank at
once; no truce is to be tolerated. Strong
leaders of the party have been slain bv the
influence Of Eastern PFotectionists whose
headquarters, it is said, are in the citv
which is Mr. Randalps home and che same
men help him who stab other Democratic
leaders to the death. There can be no
peace, and the fight must be made so hot at
once that all who will not help to carry out
the pledges Of the party shall be forced to
get out Of it and stay out
In this strong talk the Free Traders are
encouraged by many organs, and especially
by British papers printed here. Just now
there is deluge Of advice and appeal 10
TO Democrats Of the House; the large vote
for Mr. George, known free-trader. is
used as proof that the workingmen in New
1ork do not care for Protection; the vot-
ing in some Western States is presented in
a .free-trade aspect; members are told that
the only way Ia avert a panic next year.
with certain defeat for Democrats as the
consequence, is to cut down the surplus bv
repeal of duties. Morrison's bill will not
nov do at all, says one British organ. which
urged that measure with great zeal last
year, It vas never fit to be passed. and the
tang needed is a far more radical reform
Mr. Randall can prevent any vote on a
measure which the fwo Republican mem
-bers ofthe committee tbiRk it best to shut
on. and he comes to be, as to I'll Democratic
side Of the House, the dictator with sole
power aw n
The Republican party, says the Tribune
can meet this issue whenever the Free
Traders are ready 1t makes no pretence
Of doubt or wish to evade. and does not trv
20 hide the fact that every free-trade as
saut on home industries is sure TO help the
nepuoiiean party In future elections. Bpt
such raids tend to hurt tpada and labor. 40
smut up shops, mines and mills. and tnera