The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-20
The Tariff in Kentucky.

PROCTOR KNOTT for Governor was expected
10 endorse Mr. HENRY WATTERsoN's tarih
notions, lie has become infatuated with
his own teachings on the subject OF pro-
tec,iyc tariff. II there is State In the
Union which is sound TO the core on the
tariff question as soundness is recognized
by the free-traders, Kentucky is that State.
some Of lhe papers arc poking fun at MIR.
WArTERsoN as having made Watter-haul
in the late Conventions; but the gentleman
himself seems 20 be Of very different
opinion. The philadelphia Telegraph, for
example. taunts him rs follows
"watterson, the political dynamite fend
OF the Democratic party. has been crushed
ocain. and this time right in the household
of his friends. lie rushed TO the front in
the Convention al Louisville Yesterday with
a wild appeal for an endorsement Of his
aria-ior-revonue-only' hobby only TO be
utterly rcpudiated. the tariff and revenue
splank in the platform, as adopted, being
model OF meaningless platitudes. When
thus unable 10 influence his own people
the Kentucky Hotspur might as well give
uD the fight, so far rs the National Con-
Venlon OF next year IS concerned. By
the way. perhaps WattersoD after all Is a
hired emissary OF the iron barons,' his
mission being the disruption and the de-
moralization of the Democracy
Mr.. WATTERsoN had caused to be tele-
grabbed all oyer the United States on
Thursday night that on Friday the Con-
yenfion would adopt the following:
"The Kentucky Democracy are unaltera'
bly, opposed TO subsidies OF every descrlp-
tion. They believe that all taxation should
bc for the support OF the Government.
They denounce the tariff act of the last Re
publican Congress as n monster iece OF in-
equality. injustice, and wrong, and they
demand vi the next Democratic House OF
REPRESENTATIVES a measure OF relief and re-
form. based upon the organic law Of the
Democratic party as declared at 81. Louis
in 1876 end roiflirmed in Cincinnati in
1880 which requires that all custom-house
taxation shall be for revenue only.'
But when Friday came the Convention
adopted the following platform:
ReSolred, That the Democracy Of Ken
tucky. in Convention assembled, reaflirm
our unaltered confidence in and affection
for the principles and policy embodied in
the organic law of the Democratic party
adopted at the National Democratic Con-
venfion held at st. Louis in 1876, and rati
fed at Cincinnati in $780,
Second. That, believing the highest Sc
curity OF a popular government depends
on the intelligence OF the people, we de-
clare il to be the duty Of the Legislature OF
this Commonwealth to foster wise and
efficient system OF public schools.
Third. That our laws in relation to the
revenue and taxation should be so framed
~ TO secure equality in the rate OF assess
ments, as nearly rs possible, and to insure
the collection Of revenue in the most con-
yenient, inexpensive manner.
Fourth. That Convention TO amend our
present State Constitution should be called, !
rs soon as practicable under the forms OF
law. in order TO bring our Constitution in |
4 line with the progress Of the age.
We favor the development Of the re-
sources of the State by friendly legislation, |
inviting capital and immigration from
abroad.
We send words OF cheer and congratula- |
ton to the Democracy OF the Union on the |
magnificent prospects OF victory in the next |
presidential election, and we assure them |
that. as heretofore, the old guard OF the |
Commonwealth will be at the front Of the |
battle for the fight for the good of the |
whole people of our Republic.
IL will be seen that instead of endorsing |
that portion only OF the st. Louis and Gin
cinuati platforms which touch the tariff, |
the Conventions resolution speaks OF the
principles and policy embodied in those
platforms as whole.
The Cincinnati Commercials report says |
that when the chairman had finished read
ing the resolutions, which were adopted
unanimously and without discussion, he
turned round to HENRY WATTERsoN, who
was on the stage, and asked, "Well, are you
satisfied with them?" And that the great
tarin-for-rcvenue Journalist ran his fingers
through his hair, and said: "Oh, yes;
they're first-rate; Pm satisfied"
The reporter adds:
"The omission OF n strong free-trade
plank is looked upon by both Democrats
and Republicans rs m ignoring OF the
Henry-Watterson influence Last night
the Associated Press sent from Louisville
an out-and-out free-trade plank. which it
was confidently stated would be adopted.
lSee above.
"The inside history Of that suppressed
plank is this John G.. Carlisle, in his candi-
dacv for the speakership, felt that he could
not be matched against Randall il he had
10 buckle on the WattersOn armOr OF free
trade, pure ana simple. SO short time
ago he came here to arrive at an under
standing. But compromise could not be
effected, and Carlisle lett in disgust. He
left so suddenly and quietly that it was a
standing question here few days before
the Convention, what has become OF
Carlisle? = The dispatch sent out last night
by the Associated Press was the plank that
had been drawn up by Watterson, and sub
mited to the Committee on Resolutions.
Ex-Governor McCreary, the chairman Of
that committee, is a strong supporter of
Carlisle. lie took the same view that Car
hsle did, and it was owing TO his opposi-
ton that the committee failed to report the
plank"
The New York Herald says that the Dem
ocrats OF Kentucky lodged the question;
but the New York Commercial Advertiser
says:
"The Democrats Of Kentucky reject "a
tariff for revenue only the State OF Beck
and W9tterson repudiates the tariff re-
formers! To say that this is a crusher for
papers like the New York Herald and the
New York Times mildly expresses it. 1t
knocks them into such heap that they cam
not tell whether they are on their head or
heels. III Kentucky spurns these REFORM
ers, where can free trade get a foothold?
II the Democrats Of that State throw over
board resolution denouncing subsidies
and protection, and which calls for a tariff
for revenue only, in what other State can
the advocates OF such measure hope TO
preyaily II Is very evident the Democrats
there have heard a loud noise, and that they
do not propose TO run into the danger it
warns Them aV,,inSf