The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-01-04
The Issue
New York Star.


The keynote of the Presidents recon-.
mendation ia the concise but pregnant
statement that the problem that confronts
US is condition, not theory.
The great and growing surplus is fnan-
cial peril and q menace to trade and manu-
features. 1t cannot be allowed to continue
to accumulate, as it does, under existing
laws, without financial panic and indus
ttial collapse. The expedients to which
the executive can resort under the statutes
now in foce are well nigh exhausted.
Legislation is imperative. What shall
that legislation be2 There are two theories
about it. The Democratic theory is to cut
of taxes and leave the money in the
pockets of the people, while cheapening
the things they must eat, wear and use in
their employment. The Republican theory
is 10 continue the taxes, chiefly for
the benefit of some manufacturers whom
protective tariff favors, and to spend the
money lavishIy in various ways through
out the different portions of the country.
These are the two policies between which
the country must decide.
The Presidents message is a clear enun-
citation of the Democratic plan, aud the
speeches and interviews Of John Sherman,
Foraker and others expose the Republican
method. The Democratic way is not de-
signed to interfere with snybody's en-
plOyment or wages.
The President says: 1.-THE reduction OF
taxation should be so measured as not to
necessitate or justify either the loss of
employment by the workingman or the
lessening of his wages" And again:
Profits still remaining to the manufac-
turer, after necessary readjustment,
should furnish no excuse for the sacrifice
of the interests OF his employees either in
| their opportunity to work or IN the dim
ipufiop Of their cor0DensatiOn "
There is no doubt that the reductions can
and will be so managed that the laboring
masses OF the country will gain much more
| than they can loose by the change. Neither
| the President nor ire Secretary of the
| Treasury has presented a detailed revenue
bill. That will be attended to by the prop
er committee of the house of representa-
/ tives. The executive officers have laid
| down the general principles upon which a
revenue bill should be drawn, and indl-
/ Gated their preference for one kind of re-
| ductiOn over another. It may be that an
| alteration or abolition OF internal tax on
/ tobacco will be effected. Tobacco is lux
ury, it is true, but one widely used by q
| great portion of the people, and 1t is q
| great American product. II the internal
tax on tobacco were abolished it is prob
able that, under any readjustment OF
| the CUSTOMS Importation OF that article
| would be so reduced as to effect great de.
crease in revenues from that source. But,
| as q general rule and as matter OF Drinci'
| pie, Secretary Fairchild properly maintains
that taxes on necessities should be pre-
ferred in making reductions to taxes or
| laxuries.
Mr.. Blaine's hasty and sketchy Paris in.
teTview contains no new proposition re
garding inland revenues, but only one to
| abolish the spirit tax, which has been long
and earnestly advocated by many Demo
Gratis as well as by some Republicans. He
opposes the abolition of the whisky tax a;
we, in common with most Democrats, op.
pose it. But when itcomes to the question oil
the surplus, then it is that the Republican
Presidential candidate takes his stand on tnC
ground of his party in opposition to the
attitude of the Democracy. His leadinG
thought is how to spend the surplus, moi
how to prevent a surplus.
Blaine's interview only tends to make
clearer the issue between Democracy and
economy on the one side, and.the RepubH
can scheme of excessive collections and
lavish expenditure on the other. 1t is jus
such an issue as the Democracy is ready to
go before the country on after q congress
sional session Of careful legislation, in
which the interests OF the toiling masses Of
the country, farmers as well as factory
hands, merchants as well as manufacturers
and consumers as well as producers, viii
be all duly considered With view to pro