New-York tribune., 1883-06-16
POLITICS IN OHIO.
A TALK WITH SENATOR SHERMAN.

BEARING OF THE ELECTION ON NEXT YEARS
FIGHT.
IRON OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
MANSFIELD, Ohio, June Ex-senator Sherman
| never breathed more freely than for the past few
days the free air of the Richland hills Weary Of
politics when he came from Washington, aud
dreading good deal more at Coumbu. 1t
is only within these few days that he has
been able to give to his Strawberries and
shrub blossoms the undivided attention
that true farmer should Everything about tho
homestead attests sympathy with his buoyant
spirits "Did the work of the Convention please
you thoroughly !" asked, as he led the way to tho
library.
"Yes I was much pleased. Tho ticket is strong
and the platform clear and definite. There was
plank in the platform that suggested demagogy.
it seemed TO me-the one calling for reform in the
convict labor system-but otherwise, no exception
Is to be taken to it, for ii defines Republican prin
cples in terms direct and plain that it must not
only commend itself to the party at large bat from
the start it leaves no doubt with regard TO tho
issues on which the campaign is to be fought this
summer. The convict labor clause embodes good
enough idea. but question if 1t is practicable.
Prison work now competes with outside labor.
Contractors go into tho prisons and
on paying comparatively trihe are
able to turn out work so cheaply that
free labor suffers. There ought certainly to be
some way of correcting this but labor is pert Of the
penalty imposed ON convicts. and the industries of
Ohio have become diversified that it viii be very
hard to find anything for convicts to do that will
not encroach on free labor If they should stop
making saddlery and shoes they would have to turn
to something else upon which free labor is probably
engaged"
THE TWO PARTIES AND THE TARIFF.
Shall you regard the campaign as the skirmish
for next years battle7"
"The tariff undoubtedly will be the great issue
between the parties next year. In my opinion the
Outspoken declarations of platform this issue
foreshadow what the Republican National plat
form will declare Iti the great issue between the
two parties; each party is committed upon it:
there is no doubt how each stands. We shall
give it prominence this year. The liquor question
will not be sighted. We are united in that ana,
so far voters may be interested mainly in State
affairs, we shall confidently. expect to convince
those who may be doubtful that our position is
right. think we shall be able to do that so early
in the campaign that after all the tariff will overtop
everything else in Importance Our farmers are
very much interested in it, wool growers being Cd
specially exercised"
You don't look for the insertion in the National
manding restoration of the former duty on
wool ~
"We could hardly hope for that. But that CLAUSE
affects very large and powerful II terest here. All
our farmers are concerned In IT. , ey Will demand
its discussion. That will carry the general subject
into the campaign We can rely ou Democrats in
Congress to keep it before the people,
" Then you anticipate Democratic attempts at
further revision I"
Haven't doubt of it. They will begin early
in the session and keep digging OF 1t to the end, but
without accomplishing anything except 10 keep
the subject stirring and the people es,ieSs."
" Then can you expect success il your effort to
have the wool duty restored 70
90 think it doubtful at present, a hough we snan
try. bill 10 restore the duty won invite endless
amendment, aud perhaps at last De defeated with
one branch Of Congress Democratic The reduction
was stupid blunder."
REPLYING TO CRITICIsMx
i" You have noticed, doubtless that you aud tho
Republican delegation in the House have been
criticised for having voted for the tariff bill be-
cause of this obnoxious schedule r
IL have noticed that the Democrats are trying to
create false impression about it, an | that there
seems to be widespread misunderstanding, which
will be corrected. however. The schedule was
adopted by a union of New-England with the
Democrats. have been blamed. and Mr.. Mckinley
also has been blamed. because the Conference COM
mittee, on which we served, reported
back this schedule with tho Tariff bill.
We both fought the schedule in confer
ence, but were outvoted. Mr. Morrill, and
Mr. Aldrich sided with the Democrats. pleaded
with Morrill, to help us, saying that we would aid
only our opponents to the injury of the farmers by
allowing such schedule to stand, and since il was
the only schedule that directly affected farmers T
wanted him to join in taking care of their inter-
ests. He replied that Vermont was ceasing to be
wool-growlng State that they were raising sheep
there now to kill and for breeding, and he saw no
reason why he should vote with me. fought tho
schedule also in the Senate when it was under
separate consideration. But New-England
and the Democrats were too strong for
u.s. 1t was one of the most stupid
pieces of political folly into which men
With boards ever bIundered. l was as free in ex-
pressing my opinion in the Senate about this as
I'm now, but | was powerless. Nor was my opinion
II feeling at all modified when the bill as whole
was put on its passage in the Senate. | voted for
{ not to signify my acquiescence In the wool
chedule which had always condemned but be-
ause of the multiplicity of interests involved, and
IS the best means then available to secure reduc-
ion of taxation and of surplus revenues The Demo-
ratio papers, believe, are loudest in censure.
I may not be Euch of an argument, but liz
$ an answer to them SO far Us farmers are con-
erned that if the Democrats bad controlled the
Tariff bill it would have been much worse for
armers and for every other class than it is now.
they wouldn't have stopped where with New
sngland's help they stopped on the wool schedule,
,ut they would have upset everything else"
WHO ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK.
I" If the tariff is to enter conspicuously into
aign discussion, will talent outside the State be
invited to take part in it ~
Speakers from other States often JOIN in our
and will do SO, think, this year. Mr..
harrison will come over from Indiana and hear
hat Mr.. Logan will make several speeches for US.
suppose there will be Others"
How about Mr. Blaner
.. imo nina that talk of Mr. Ralne has never had