New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-23
vOORHEES PREDICTS 4 POLITICAL Biz
ZIPD

ZARD.
Next TO Mavor Harrison, Senator voorhees, is
probably the frankest statesman in the Demo-
cratic party. The two men agree heartily ID
believing that q free-trade policy will rum the
party if it be adopted in 1884. The Mayor says
he believes in free trade, but thinks the party
should pretend to believe in protection till 1t
gets into power, when it should turn about anu
wipe out the whole protective system. Foor-
hees is shade more diplomatic. He was roar
ing free trader previous to November, 1851.
The disaster which befell General Hancock
during that month converted Voorhees, in the
twinkling of an eye He has since been pro-
tectionist of the most thoroughgoing sort. lie
says in recent interview that tariff with incl
dental protection is the sort of thing the Ma
tional Democratic platform must declare Tor OF
the party will be defeated. "Why," he ex-
claims "a cow and a goose are the greatest
fools l know Of except man who thinks
q tariff con be laid without protection" This
classification of the taTiff-for- revenue-only
Democrats was inspired by the Senator's con-
temptation of q COW which persisted in Jogging
along the road in front of the Senator's horse as
he was riding and talking with the reporter.
We trust Mr. WattersOn will not hear OF 1t.
MIR. Voorhees, makes some estimates OF what
free trade would do for the country which are
not likely to be published as Democratic
campaign document. He says: "Free trade
would do away with the Custom Houses, abol-
ash the duties on imports, and levy direct
"tax upon the people for the support OF the
Government. In other words, 1t would In
crease general taxes 5000, 600, 900, and people
"would have less to pay taxes with than they
shaye now, for labor would be cheapened and
industry discouraged" He declares that the
great material prosperity of the country has
been secured by protection, and says the want
of the present and future is a tariff system for
"revenue laid with the idea of protecting home
Hindustry and advancing us to the higher planes
@of wealth and prosperity" These, be 1t re-
membered are the utterances of former free
trade Democrat. We do not quote them because
we have the slightest idea that Mr. Voorhees, is
sincere in ma6ing them. He is anxious for
Democratic success, and he sees that tho only
way TO win it is TO profess q devotion to protec-
ton. He, like all other Democrats, would shout
for free trade the minute the party got posses
sion of the Government. His utterances are
valuable as showing the faith of an overwhelm-
ing majority of the people IN protective pIinci-
ples and their determination TO trust no party
which IS hostile to those principles. Voorhees,
is merely trying to steal the strongest Republi-
can issue for the temporary use of the Demo-
cratic party.
On one other pOint his frankness is suggest
i've. He denOunces the Civil Service Reform
law rs a sharp Republican trick, and says the
Democrats will nullify it by refusing any APP
preparation for its enforcement. He thinks they
may do that at the approaching session of Con-
gress, bat wo doubt II they will be capable OF
that stupidity. They would be much more
likely to wait till they got full possession of the
Government. After that there would be little
hope for the laws perpetuation. The whole
party agrees with Mr.. Voorhees, that Elf the
democrats succeed, public affairs ought to be
" administered by Democrats, and Democrats
ought 10 DO the necessary clerical work" That
is what Mr. Voorhees, calls practical politics"
We have no doubt that every true Democrat in
the country agrees with him, although a consid-
cradle section of the party think it more dis
Greet to call this grand descent of the hungry
Democracy upon the Government Reform" If
Mr.. VOORHEES, will keep on talking the voters Of
the country will have no trouble in estimating
this Reform" in all its ample dimensions. 1t
would leave about as much of good government
AZ blizzard leaves of Kansas village.
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