National Republican., 1886-12-11
RALPH BEAUMONT TALKS.
The Interests of tho X. of L. to 30
Looked After in Congress-Internal
Revenue Taxes Should Cease.

The Interests of tho X. of L. to 30
Looked After in Congress-Internal
Revenue Taxes Should Cease.
Mr.. Ralph Beaumont, chairman Of the
legislative committee of the Knights OF
Labor, was found at his headquarters, 205
Pennsylvania avenue northwest, last night
by reporter Of the NATIONAL REPUDLI.
CAN.
"What legislation do you expect this
session In the interest Of the people you
representa- was asked Mr.. Beaumont.
81 have not yet received instructions from
the executive board upon specific measures.
but shall in addition TO them look after
those advocated by us at tho last session."
"Nhat do you regard as the most practi-
cal and effective measure within the scope
OF national legislation In the interest Of the
laboring peoplet"
"0n that subject / must give you my
individual views, which are that such bill
as was once introduced In Congress by the
Hon. Hendrick B. Wright, Of Pennsylvania,
which had the Endorsement Of hundreds of
thousands Of citizens by petitions, aud
% votes in Congress, at a time when labor
was unorganizod, to appropriate certain
amount OF money and allow each head Of
family $500 as a loan when he becomes
bona ilde settler upon the public lands,
would be the most practical, because 1t
would take the surplus labor from our
overcrowded centers and put them upon
solid footing where they can shift for them
selves; at the same time 1t would make
room and opportunities for employment OF
those who remain, and be the wisest and
most advantageous investment for the use
less money now lying idle In the treasury"
"Would that not be class legislation ?n
"Not If the benefit to be derived should be
general. Mark you, am not in favor of
any gift, but loan. II, however, the gov
ernment helps anybody n should be those
who most need IL. 1t was class legislation
TO give land and money to railroad corpora.
tions, yet 1t was justified upon the ground
that 1t would open and thus benefit the
whole country. The boarding OF millions
OF dollars in the treasury taken from the
people without making good use OF 1t seems
to me the very height OF legislative folly.
1t should either not be collected or 1t
should be properly expended. Schemes to
buildup armies aud navles and all sorts of
jobs are up. Plenty money can bo found
to build instruments OF destruction, but II
money Is asked for instruments of con-
struction 1t is like drawing eye teeth with
Congress. The REPUBLICAN has advocated
OF late to put sugar upon the free list thus
saving S52 GOO, 900, and to take the internal
revenue tax from tobacco, thus saving
S2S,000,0C a year OF the idle money boarded
In the treasury. am certainly in favor of
taking the tax from tobacco, for 1t Is taxed
as luxury, yet 1t IL luxury Of so common
use that II can he classed along witt bread In
daily consumption. The tax does not dimin-
ish its use, tut operates as q monopoly
in favor Of capitalists. Internal revenue
taxes are war taxes aud since the war has
ceased the taxes should cease also. As to
sugar ! am not prepared TO express an opin-
ion. II is also AN article OF daily use. Since
the REPUBLICAN, has become great rea-
soner (for read it daily when am here)
and Gems TO be conducted at the capital
as first class paper, having frequently
good word for the unfortunate aud a sharp
word for the upper crust, shall read It's
arguments for the abolition OF tax on sugar,
and the difference between Cleveland aud
Manning on tariff, with great interest"
"What lesson do You draw from the
last election, Mr.. Beaumont?n
"Just this: That ;he people are restless
and discontented, and that the Knights OF
Labor will IN the future be felt In manner
little looked for by some statesmen