New-York tribune., 1889-11-06
REPERLICdN Purposes.

The replies elected from Republican Con-
gressmen by THE TRIBUNE's inquiries have at
tracted the attention of both parties throughout
the country. Democratic comments in both
cases betay the chronic vice of that party
its inability to deal with an issue on its merits
without an attempt to misrepresent it in the
spirit of the demagogue. TO an honest man
it is entirely possible TO speak of an effort to
encourage commerce by securing better foreign
mail service without calling it "an attempt to
waste the surplus in subsidies"
1t was not to be expected that all Republicans
would be of exactly the same mind about every
detail of tariff revision. But the replies were
surprising in that they indicated a closer agree
ment as to all essential points than most per-
sons had anticipated. When eghty-six out of
ninety three members replying express their
substantial agreement with the Tariff bill
passed by the Senate at the last session, it is
evident that unanimity of action will not be
difficult. Although there are some points which
need modification, and members may not at first
agree about the changes desired, no great diff
Guilty is likely to arise if so large a number of
members appreciate the valuable features of the
measure, and resolve that they will suffer no
disagreement about minor points to defeat them.
For these vital features of the bill are designed
and in the main admirably calculated, to slim
ulate home industries to a new and unexampled
prosperity, to close undefended gaps through
which foreigners have found entrance to deprive
American producers Of their market, and to
clear away a great number of antiquities and
contradictions which have made the revision
of 883 unsatisfactory.
There is more agreement of opinion than was
expected. also. regarding the reduction of the
Internal Revenue. Perhaps it is at this point
that most caution may be needed because the
hasty desire Of many voters to get rid OF the
only taxes which the people feel might easily
lead to mistakes that could not be remedied.
The surplus in the Treasury was never as large
as was pretended by Mr.. Cleveland when he
was trying to drive the country to abandon pro-
tective duties. 1t is not as large now as 1t
formerly was, because of more lavish eX-
penditures begun when Democratic appropna-
tions had been approved by Mr.. Cleveland be-
cause Of larger pension rolls and heavier out
lays in constructing IA new navy. Any proper
revision Of the tariff moreover, VIII cut OH
considerable revenue now derived from heavy
impoltations which deprive American producers
of their means Of support. There Is more
unanimity, apparently, in favor of repeal oil
the tobacco tax than regarding other changes
Of the Internal Revenue, and that reduction, al
least, could certainly be made with safety.
No less than seventy five members replying
were in favor Of the control of Congressiona
elections by the National Government, while
four were opposed, questioning the efficacy Of
any legislation to that end, and fourteen were
non-commttal. Probably ii may be taken fol
granted that every Republican member of Con-
gress would deem it his sacred duty to vote fol
such measure if ne could be satisfied that il
would insure free and fair elections. The
difficulty here is TO devise the best means of at
tanning that protection for the rights Of citizens