The morning call., 1891-12-07

the prize. When there are three parties TO
a contest the people remain patient during
a prolonged contest. The right of third
or fourth party to stand by its principles is
as good as the right Of the two principal
parties. But it is not probable that party,
having clear majority OF all the votes In
the House, will risk protracted contest
1t would be bad politics" for the doml-
nant party to show their inability to agree.
Party leaders naturally keep differences IN
the background. Democratic leaders VIII
not admit that there is any considerable
difference between Mr.. Crisp and MI Mills
on leading issues. And II there IS none
why should the country be agitated by
contest over personalities? But the differ
enees in the Democratic party on the tariff
are wider than the party leaders are willing
to admit. Mr.. Mills is on the record as an
advocate of free trade aud an income tax.
1t is not likely that he expects such meas
ure to pass the present Congress, but it is
the condition to which he is looking. MIR.
Crisp contents himself with tariff reform.
he would reduce duties on some articles,
but he does not declare even for tariff for
revenue. In answer to an inquiry as to
W hat extent lie might be considered free
trader Mr.. Crisp replied over his own sig
nature:
The first vote l cast 10 Congress was for Mr..
Carlisle IN preference TO MIR. Randall for Speaker
Of The House. Later l voted for the Morrison
bill and for the Mills BILL
/ have made tariff speeches in Congress, in
New YORK, in Massachusetts, In Missouri, in
Virginia. in Ohio, in Maryland, In Kansas and
in Georgia, and In each and every one of these
many speeches / have adyoca ted reduction OF
duties.
For further particulars" Mr. Crisp re-
terred the inquirer to his speeches, from one
of which on the Mckinley bill he Endorsed
the following extract:
Mr. Crisp-Mr. Chairman. the Committee on
Ways and Means have spent months of restless
days and sleepeSs Dighis trying 10 md out what
viii give relief TO the farmers OF this country.
| can suggest a plan OF relief In flve minutes.
Modify The existing tariff laws; reduce taXation;
permit some reasonable competition In Tie mar
ket; destroy trusts; accord equal rights TO all
aud special privileges 10 none. Do these things
and you viii help him. Give the farmer free
salt. That would help little Nou give II TO
the fisherman on the coast of Maine and on tine
coast OF Massachusetts; why not give IL 10 the
farmer? Give him free bagging, in which the
farmer OF the West sacks his corn, and with
which The farmer of the South wraps his cotton.
Give him free iron ties, with which In The South
he binds his cotton bales and with which In The
Vest he bales his hay.
This is not the talk OF a free-trader,
neither is it the talk of protectionist. Mr..
Crisp would collect the revenues the Gov
eminent requires from imports, but there is
nothing in this speech which would prevent
him from imposing duties on the tarif-for-
revenue principle. In response to the same
Questioner Mr.. Mills wrote:
l would try. II l had the power, to make the
tariff low for the United States.
l would exempt from taxation all raw ma
terIal.
Why? Because We could then produce cheaper
than any other people, aud sell IN markets now
closed to us by reason OF the higher cost which
the tax on material makes. That would give
vastly more employment TO our labor, and con
Sequently higher wages, than any proposed 'sys-
TEN Of taxation.
The first question the legislator must ask him
self is, How Will it Affect employment OF Ameri-
can labor?
Having rendered free from taxation all raw
material. the rates on the finished goods should
be reduced TO that figure that Will bring The re-
quired revenue aad no more.
This reduction of rate will be reduction OF
price TO the consumer and largely increase home
consumption aud home production. and again en-
large the demand for employment.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Mills. he cannot go
before the country on this statement of
principles. a year or more ago he declared
emphatieally for free trade aud direct taxa
ton. The speech made when he had no
personal object in view will be accepted as
closer statement of his real opin Ons than
letter written on the eve of contest for the
Speakership. Republicans can LOOK upon
this contest with Indifference as to results.
If Mr.. Crisp is elected Speaker it will be as
Tammany's candidate, and his election will
place the coming campaign In the hands of
that organization. If Mills is elected it will
be the triumph of the radical free-trade
wing OF the Democratic party. 1t might be
difficult to determine which of the two
wings of the Democratic party is the more
dangerous to the country.