Morris tribune., 1883-11-24
THE GREAT ISSUE
Which the Democracy Must Meet in
Selecting Speaker.
Ia the Fight to BE Won bV
Free Trade or Tariff s---Dis-
cussion of the Subject by
q Correspondent.

correspondent of The Enquirer telegraphs:
The longer headed leaders of the Demo-
cratic party now realize that great mistake
can be made in the organization OF the next
house of representatives and, if made, will
be irreparable. No fair-minded man is ready
to deny that the recent election plainly indi-
Gated to the Democratic party that,
unless its national candidate could
carry New York, there was but
little hope of the Democrats securing the
next presidency. The party, too, its critics
and enemies full well realize, is very soon to
be judged by its acts, and not by its profes-
sions. The one prominent issue before the
people is that of Free Trade VS.. the Tariff,
and the candidate who is chosen to DO the
next speaker will, of necessity, commit the
Democracy to one Or the other of the two ex-
tremes
1t can not be denied that the three promi-
nent candidates for the speakership are all
f. wise and good men. Each enjoys national
reputation, and neither can be assaiIed for
any dereliction of public duty. Still, on the
vital questions which affect the prosperity of
the business of the country they are sadly at
variance. They may only appear so in
in theory; but the reflective Peo-
pie who are interested judge of the
tree by the fruit that it bears. Two
candidates-indeed, three who aspire to the
place if Springer be included-are avowed
free traders The three thus embraced are
Carlisle, Cox and Springer. If either is elected
to preside over the house and shape its COM
mittee organization, they would feel con-
strained to so organize tie important COM
mittees of ways and means that very early in
the session a.bill would be reported to revise
the existing tariff regulations
EThe effect Of such bill would be preju-
dicial at the very outset. First, because it
would at once unsettle the business Of the
country and thereby seriously reduce the pub
lie revenues; second, it would involve only
long and protracted debate and agita-
ton, and, no matter what the Demo-
cratic house might do, it would not
be passed through the senate Even
stretch the point and say it could, it
would not receive the approval of the presi-
dent. The end would be that the Democrats,
with a knowledge in advance of being abso-
lutely powerlesS, had opened very serious
and vital issue to distract business, and
thereby lose the confidence of the class whose |
votes, after all, settle presidential elections.
The last presidential election was, as every
fair minded man will concede, lost to the |
Democracy because the business interests of |
the country were afraid to trust Hancock after |
his wild declarations upon the tariff. and |
were likewise afraid that "a tariff, for rev.
enue only" meant in fact the abolition of GUS
toms duties and the customs service. Plenty
of business Democrats marched to the polls
and voted the Republican ticket, and, in fact,
turned the balance and elected the Republi-
can candidate, because of the tariff platform
of the Democracy and its interpretation by
the national candidate.
If the Democratic party to-day had no hope
of the future but counted all lost after it had
elected a speaker of its house of representa-
tives, it could. well afford to elect a free
trader as its speaker, and let him give all the
rope to this class they saw fit to ask. 1t is
because the future of the party is bright that
the experiment is dangerous. It does not
follow, indeed, that tie party need,
preforce, choose Randall. He is avail
able only because he is far-sighted
enough - first from conviction, and
also from policy-to keep his party off the
very breakers and shoals the Republican
leaders hope it will strand upon 1t is
patent here that Randall is opposed not
because he is not an honest man and has
made good speaker, but because he will, if
elected, do all in his power to give questions
which will disturb values a rest until the
Democratic party is in possession Of the
legislative branches of the government,
when it can deal with it in fact, and not
half way.
Conceal it as the friends of the other can
lidates may, the issue presented is no more
nor less than committal OF the National
Democracy to absolute free trade or incl
dental protection of American labor and
interests. Cox Carlisle and Springer repre-
sent the first proportion, and Randall the
ast. Plenty OF Democrats who contribute
not only influence but money to the party
'ay openly that if Carlisle should be elected
he Democratic party in the presidential
election hardly dare hope to carry northern
tate. This not because of any sectional
ougaboo, but because OF a sc are and shock to
he business interests.
So far as the campaign has progressed, it
5 dull and tame. Members arrive slowly.
md there are not yet forty in the city. The
andidacy of Springer has nothing behind it
mot even the Illinois delegation. Whatever
trength he has viii eventually go to Carlisle.
t will be week yet before the fight is trans
erred here in such a way that its actual