Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-17
an outlet for our inevitable

present tariff, and may claim credit Tor
its benefits, it will properly be held re-
sponsible for any resultant evils. There
fore, Mr.. Blaine having been set aside,
it is to be regretted that some other states
man of his creed had not the sagacity to
foresee the danger and apply remedy.
/ must confess myself sufficiently par
tisan to feel chagrin that someone OF my
political faith has not ere now forestalled
the president in occupying SO strong
position. 1t was the more necessary be-
cause the declared purpose and public
policy OF the party distinctly announced
by its last national convention. Why,
then. has it not been done: Did our Re
publican tacticians in congress. for the
purposes of political capital, deliberately
neglect. In order to compel their adver-
saries to undertake a difficult matter
with which both alike were under pub
lie pledge to deal: Were they. in short.
purposely letting the tariff run to seed
while they Unanswered fG position: If
so. they made a mistake-for Republic
cans, not Democrats, are responsible for
existing tariff conditions-should have
remedied them, and not having done so.
are at a disadvantage. The president
has out raneuvered them. He has
seized salient between the lines-nay,
almost if not quite within our lines
which we neglected to occupy and from
which he cannot be dislodged for his
position is in fact invulnerable.
1t was well planned and exc
cuted with consummate address.
Dir. ssBlaine with his usual alertnesS
was not slow to see at once its serious
import and his own opportunity to stand
forth as the champion in opposition and
immediately sent from across the ocean
challenge OF the argument. His
slogan has been echoed all along the
Republican line by running fire of
comment and criticism of the message.
This has all been, however. so far as
have observed. only echo--a mere fire
cracker fusilade. 1t is the cackle of
small fry that. having the cue, feel that
something must be said without know
ing what to say or how to say it. The
buzz in the congressional hive. the hurry,
skurry and sparing at random on the
newspaper skirmish lines, shows the
camp to be IN some confusion, of IDEAS
at least.
They say. st is free trade MESSAGE
But this Is not true. as all who have
read it know. Another-''It leans to-
ward free trade As well say that a
physician who recommends moderation
in eating prescribes starvation. 1t is
narrow says another. So is a rapier,
but it is quite keen and very much to
the point. Another and he a
congressman-''I don't know-we
must onsider this matter-it
has two sides. If we reduce
the tariff increased importations will in
crease the revenue and OF course the sur
plus. We must move carefully in this
business. ETC., etc. Certainly, Dir.
Bunsby; go slow, be careful. but don I
admit that you are SO much afraid of the
creature you helped to create that you
dare not touch it. and even discipline it
| if necessary, Many people already more
| than half suspect that it is hytra-head-
ed monster that has been over fed until
even now the nursing of the party has
| become its master.
A chorus cries: IF they would fortify
our coasts. build navy and postotfices.
ETC.. ETC., there would be no surplus. >
! Since Senator Sherman also suggests this
remedy it may be recognized hencefOrth
as stock argument. But can we. III
| Tie approaching CdilpftlSi. ~ DCloiC tiiS
country already suffering from u strin-
gent money market, with proposal to
invent new expenditures to get rid of a
surplus which has already absorbed and
is still absorbing the peoples substance:
Another chorus: Take the tax off
whisky and tobacco, but don't touch
the tariff 1t is my impression
however, that there is a more universal
sentiment among men of all parties III
favor of taxing those obnoxious articles
than any others on earth. The party
leaders may decide to adopt this policy
but if they do they will do precisely
what their opponents hope they may. II
will put the party at further dlsad
vantage. because the common people
will feel instinctively that the position is
morally wrong,
Another says-''The Democratic party
did not have any trouble with a surplus
in 1851" True, but the economy of to-
dav is not the disloyalty OF thirty years
ago. If the Democracy are beaten this
wear it will be with better ammunition
than such old mouldy chestnuts.
Finally after running through the Ell
tire score of carp and criticism all alike
THE surplus in the treasury is just sc
much wrongfuIly withheld from the bus
mess of the country. Very tersely anC
truthfuilv stated. Further-''The Re
publican party is in favor of tariff re
form" | believe that is true, but TIL
question is. why has it not been done
There has been both time and oppor
tunity. 1t has not been dom
and the president now IN
sists that it must be done
for good and solid reasons given. Nov
the essence of the controversy lies II
these questions. Shall the revenues o'
SO al iusted that there will be neithe
surplus nor deficit when the government
is administered on a liberal basis. witt
neither niggartiiy economy nor needles
extravaganza: or. shall the present stat,
of things continue with dropsical sur
plus upon which to exercise the ingenu
ity of congressional doctors to get rio
of by new devices i'll appropriations: HI
consensus of the Republican party as eX
pressed by its last national convention
dee ared for tariff reform. which was tn
method of prevention.
The president now proposes the same
method Republican leaders, however
now propose three eNpedients. first-N
distribute the surplus among the states
I SeconI-To dispose of the present anc
any future surplus by increased appro
priations. Third-To prevent lis re-
cIirrence by removing the tax on tobac-
co and distilled spirits. OF these meas
ures it NAV be said the first c0nte>se
bad management in the past only eX
rpltel by that which the second propose:
for the future.
Reform of the tariff will leave future
surpluses At least where they belons-In