The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-04-12
Where to Commence.

The tariff question has been fairly
launched upon the House of Representa-
tives, and will probably engage the atten.
ti0n of our lawmakers for weeks to come.
What the outcome will be no one can GER
tainly foretell The probability is that no
measure will be adopted which had its or
igin in the present Congress. The differ
ences which exist in both parties are pro-
/ nOunced, not so much in the Republican
as in the Democratic party, but sufficient
| to almost assure failure in formulating a
measure that will command the united sup
port of either. The Mills bill, which is a
direct and fragrant assault upon the basis
Of Our industrial system, the adoption
of which would cause financial panic
such as this country never before expe-
rienced, will not become law Even if
the power and patronage OF the admins
tration should be successfully directed to
bringing to it's support sufficient strength
to pass it in the House. it would be ar
rested in the Senate either by amendment
destroying it's ruinous features. or by a
direct vote of condemnation. The Ran
dali bill is more in accord with the predom-
inant sentiment obtaining with the peo-
pie and more in consonance with the inter
ests of the country, out it will hardly be
accepted in its entirety. The Republicans
are powerless to pass a measure of their
own, for even those Democrats who might
approve bill emanating from that source,
would be restrained from supporting it
from partizan considerations.
The fact is both parties seem to start
from the wrong point. There is but one
member of Congress whose services in that
body and whose close and laborious study
of The question entitle him to command
confidence and following, who seems to
have the courage and the sagacity to COM
prehend the fundamental idea from which
a tariff bill should be formulated. Mr..
Kelly, the father of the House." boldly
declares for repeal of the entire internal
revenue tax system. This is precisely
where the consideration of the tariff ques-
ton and tariff bill ought to commence.
The internal tax is war relict. 1t is for
eign to wise economic American sys-
regarded it. and only to be resorted to in
extraordinary emergencies, when the Cir
curstances existing are such as to make
it impossible to levy imposts on foreign
importations. sufficient for the purposes of
government. The excise tax is obnoxious
to the people-it is in conflict with the
cardinal policy of the government, and
should be entirely removed as soon as the
condition of the treasury will allow,
The point to commence the considera-
of the whole internal tax system, and then
to adjust the tariff on imports to meet
the demands of government. This would
afford protection to the industries of the
Nation, establish our industrial indepen-
dence, give employment to labor, and fur
nish market for our farm productions.
It would be returning to the principle sup
ported by Washington. Hamilton, Jeffer-
son, Adams, Monroe, Madison, Jackson,
Clay, Webster, and Calhoun, at one time,
before he became infected with the fatal
fallacy of the right of secession.
With the internal tax repealed, the
whole tariff question would adjust itself.
1t would then be only matter of the ad-
justment of schedule of custom imposts,
about which neither party nor sectional
lines could be drawn, nor could party cap.
ital be made. 1t would remove an often
sive inquistorial system of tax collec-
tions; abate cause of local disturbances
and crimes; give to the government all the
revenue it needs; fortify and guard our
industrial system; build up home markets
and diffuse its benefits through every
avenue of trade and endeavor