Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-05-17
THE SAGE OF GRAMMERCY.
The Hon. Charles II. Bnckalew on the Sit
uation.


uatiOn.
PHILADELPHIA. Nav l6.-"The Demo
cratic party should be put in commission,
with Samuel ]. Tilden in charge, was the
reply of ex-senator Charles r. Buckalew to
the question as to what he believed will be
the effect in the Democratic National Con-
yention of the defeat of the Morrison bill in
the House of Representatives. Mr.. Bucka-
lew had Just risen from his breakfast at the
Girard House, and was ready to accept con-
glatuatiOns on his success in the law busi-
ness that had brought him to the city. His
tall square figure was rs erect rs when 1t
filed one Of the chairs in the National Sen
ate. and his bright black eyes, set deep in
his smoOth-Shaven face, sparkled under his
white hair as he diScourscd learnedlv and
wittilv upon the political situation.
Yes, he continued tilting his tail nat
and speaking with a good deal of delibera
ton. "NIr. Tildeu is the leader of the party,
and would be more than willing that he
should prepare the platform for the Chicago
Convention Just think what his popular
title implies-the Sage of Gramercy! There
is an imputation in it OF general confidence
and respect, whose value can hardly be
o,rrc<,imated. have not had a personal
meeting with him in twenty years, and |
don't know whether hc would accept nom
inatiun TOR the presidency; but, if he would,
the Convention would almost unanimously
place him az the head of the ticket, despite
the fact that he is opposed by some short
sighted politicians within his own party.
His legs NAV not be in condition for run
ll-,,,g. Co.. 4ha Wh,t, H,,t..
but his head is clear and sound.
But. Senator, what relation would his
nomination bear to the tariff question:
His Own Platform.
On that. as on all other issues, Mr. Til
den would make his own platform and stand
upon It. ~ to who should be nominated if
he refuses to accent that is n sea Of spccu-
atiOn upon which do not care to enter.
Nv own convictions regarding the tariff are
that We ought to have fair play and no ia
yOr. There should he no hostility shown bv
the Government to any interests, nor should
any interest he advanced bv legislation in
preference to another. tits question that
did not trouble me q great deal during nv
service in Congress but | have noticed
that, however much the representatives of
any State might advocate free trade as
an abstract proposition, they demanded cX-
tre NE protection tor any of their local inter
ests that might he touched As a rule the
less a congressman knows about the tariff
practically. the more eloquentlv and volumi-
nouslv he can talk about it. There is
very little Importance 10 he attached to the
orations on one Side regarding the right Of
the people to buy in the market, or those on
the Other side that set forth the doctrine of
Protection to American labor. Ii is really
a practical question that is not to be settled
bv amy amount of theorizing bv men who
don't know what they are talking about |
adhere to the creed of the party to which |
have always belonged-the party founded
by Jetferson-and that, aS | have said, is
fair play and no favor.
Concerning TariG.
Il infer. then. that you do not highly p
prcciatc the declaration Of the last Conven-
ton for a tariff for revenue ouly?'
That phrase answered the ex-senator,
As he curved the index finger of his right
hand toward the palm, was nothing more
than Il hook upon which TO hang all manner
of deusions and abSurdities The word
OnN u lulSlttulug, u IL lltillS an tuluSi
and whether it has or has not any meaning
it should be eliminated. The deception or
doubttulneSS for which it stands has caused
a vast amount Of trouble 1t did US harm
enough in the last campaign, and trust
that il will not be iutruded into the next one
can hardly think that Mr. Watterson or
any of his school Of political ecOnO-
mists will he the architects of
the platform in the coming July Conven-
ton. We need wiser deiyerance than
auy they are able to make, and, therefore,
it Is to he hoped that itthc personal Influence
of the Sage OF Granmercy does no control
the Convention the same good result WI e
attained through men who represent ana c
imbucd aith his opinions.
What do YOU consider the prospects of
the Democratic party this YEAR,
That is 10 be decided at Chicago. Give
uS Mr. Tlden or some strong man like him,
upon such a platform as | have Indicated,
and the outlook will be bright. Bat there
is the other chauce" and Mr.. Buc&alew
shrugged his shoulders and started intently
at tie ADVERTISING plscarls on the opposite
wall of the parlor until he arose 10 take his