Omaha daily bee., 1888-03-30

Ahc IhtpuDttdn ElAUs
It seems TO be understood that the re-
publicans in congress will have a plan
regarding the reduction OF revenue, but
there is some difference OF opinion rs to
what IL may be. The most recent hypo-
thetical proposition is that they will Of
fer measure for reduction Of $S5, ,000,-
600, of which $50 900, ,000are to be cut off
bv reducing the duty on sugar, $25 ,000,-
600 by reducing the tobacco tax, and
S5 900 by taking off the tax on alco-
hol used in the arts. Other statements of
what is intended present a somewhat
different scheme, though all include the
abandonment wholly or in large part of
the sugar duties. II is more than likely
that all these statements are derived
from the individual expressions OF
republican congressman as to what
they would like to SEQ done for
revenue reduction, and that they are
given by those who are not authorized
to speak for the whole body. 1t is
hardly necessary to say thasa consideS-
able number Of republicans in Songyess
could not be induced to support, by
whatever pressure might be brought to
bear on them, proposition for revenue
reduction which would leave untouched
all tariff duties except those upon sugar.
1t would be easy to pick out at least a
score who If they supported such a prop
osition would scarcely dare to again go
before their constituents for endorse
ment, or if they should would not be long
in discovering their mistake. Further
more, 1t is hardly conceivable that any
intelligent and clear-headed member Of
the republican representation on con-
gress can fail to see that to present TO
the country such proposition as to
result Of the deliberate judgment
of those representatives, and as
the best they could agree upon for Civ
ing the people relief from the oppres-
sive burden of taxation, would inevita-
bly, be fatal to the party. 1t would be
such confession either of incompe-
tency to deal wisely with the question of
| revenue reform, or of indifference tothe
wants and welfare of the people, as to
place the party in an utterly defense
less position. If there are republicans
| in congress who would commit the
party to policy of revenue reduction
embracing only the duty on sugar and
| the taxes on tobacco and alcohol, as tits
not improbable there are, they are more
dangerous to the party than the most
radical of it's opponents. 1t tneed not be
seriously apprehended, however, that
the counsels of such will be permit
ted to prevail. The evident fact
| is that the republicans in congress at
present have no clearly defined plan,
but one must be agreed upon, and it will
have to recognize the prevailing popu-
lar sentiment unless the party is fated to
| invite defeat. We have confidence that
when the time comes for disclosing a
| policy the republicans in congress will
be found ready with a plan that will be
worthy the attention of the country.
Meanwhile conjecture regarding the,
| fate Of the other plans of revenue reduc-
tion before the country are various.
The Randall bill is out of the question,
and it is said that it's author is losing
his hold upon those who have been
| counted as his devoted followers. There
| is no evidence that the Mills bill is
growing in favor, although its friends
claim it is gaining ground. Its
partisan and sectional character is
strongly against it, and it would be cer-
tain of failure in the senate if by any
possibility it should pass the house.
| The republicans have still great op-
portunity which they may turn to i'm
mense advantage if they possess the
wisdom to improve it.
/