Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-21

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In its efforts to recover political power the
democratic party persistently denounced the
protective tariff system and pledged itself to
reform this "eyil." The st. Louis convention
emphasized this pledge by making tariff reform
one OF the chief plankS I'm the national demo-
cratic platform 1t denounced the present tariff
as "a masterpiece OF injustice. inequality and
false pTetense," which Impoverished many
Industries TO substitute few" and declared that
reform Is necessary" Now the democratic
papers are very pertinently asking their repre-
sentativeS in Congress what answer they pro-
pose TO make to the people when, In the coming
campaign, they shall ask why this pledge of
reform has not been kept. Except to put dui-
nine upon the free list and reduce the tax upon
tobacco, the democrats, though controlling both
branches OF Congress, have done nothing with
the tariff question. The party will, undoubt-
edly be arraigned by It's political oppo-
nentS before the country because OF its
failure to attack, In Congress what 1t had for
years, when In the minority, upon all occasions
denounced as one OF the principal evils Inflicted
by republican rule. The wide difference be-
tween democratic promise and performance will
be made prominent feature OF the presidential
campaign and how can the party explain or de-
fend itself? Representative Cox, OF New York
apparently concluding that there was no valid
or plausible defense for the democratic party in
Congress as whole. has thought 1t time for the
members TO take care OF their individual records
lie has done this for himself in a book Just pub
iiShed by him entitled Free Land and Free
Trade" He shows how the system Is main
tanned, in spite of democratic opposition by
continuation OF the various tariff interests The
representative whose constituents are interested
in salt joins with him whose district contains
sugar interests and so on through all the list of
tarin articles until the combination is too strong
TO be overcome. This combination, aided by the
speaker, with a ways and means committee
formed with the purpose Of preventing tariff
legislature Is so powerful, according TO Mr. Cox
that representatives who favor tariff reform
are even denied hearing on the floor In advo-
cacy of their ideas 1t is quite probable that
other members who, like Mr.. Cox realize that
the democratic party will be called to account
for Its recreancy In regard to the tariff, will
follow his example and take means to defend
their individual records from the charge that
rests against the party. There is no way by
which the party can escape from its RESPONSE
bility, and there is no prospect of It's Carrying
out its oft-repeated pledge OF tariff reform be-
fore the presidential election. Even the hope of
getting wood-pulp upon the free list at the
present session has almost been abandoned by
those who advocate 1t. The Cincinnati conyen-
ton will find Itself in dilemma and 1t Is Afi-
cult to see how the smartest platform builders
VIII be able TO get out of 1t. There was no un-
certain sound about the utterance of the st.
Louis convention, and the same denunct-
alton OF the tariff system cannot be
repeated without virtually condemtng the
party. 1t will no: do to make new
promises OF reform, for that would have the ap-
pearance of deliberate attempt to hoodwink
the American people. II executive opposition
had prevented the enactment of tariff legisla-
ton such promises could be legitimately re-
newed but the truth is, the democrats have not
made any attempt, as party. to revise the
tarin. They have not passed single bill for
that purpose through either house of Congress
The tariff reformers WILL with the view of set
ting themselves right with their party and the
country, probably make an united effort, before
adjournment to force some measure for tariff
revision TO vote. There is no question OF mo-
ment upon which the democracy seems to be
more hopelessly divided than In regard to this
One of tariff reform, and how to harmonic it is a
problem for the national convention to solve.