New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-19
GENERAL BUTLER's ADDRESS.


of the political interests with which was charged
They are four
Hostility to all mouopolies in commerce industries
and lands. ,.
Q The preservation OF the national lega-tender cur
roncv of the people constitutionaly issued Oy Ooh-
gress. ,n
2 The needs of all men and women who LABOR III 'pe
PRODUCTION Of wealth to be protected against 'nc e'
croachmens of those who absorb and consume "ino"'
producing eo.
The necessity for reform and correction of abuses
in government that its pressure on the people Wouu
be made as light a. possible its administration ehec
tive TO guard the rights of American citizens al nome
and abroad TO make public servants, individual or IN
corporate subservient TO the and will o the people
only so as to restore the prosperity OF the country,
with equal rights equal burdens. equal powers and equal
privileges Of all people
rhose latter were snocially confded to me by the
Democratic masses OF NJ 'sachusetts, to whom alone
lowe grateful duty for nigh consideration and support
during wears Of effort in the reform Of government on
,o no Democratic organization whatever. They were
a. lac presented to the National Democratic Convention
fr ita acceptance and adoption as tho aHom' oi pem'
cratic fuie ne pfactised by our fathers
thad intended If these great principles of govern
mont by tho people and for tho people only had h''h
cordially received and earnestly aud honestly ad'ri'd
tv that convention as the political chart "i th" P'n'
81
a. the convention ior the auifagra ol The people as
pu,f Executive Ia administer and carry forward tho
necessary measures in which ease should have been
hound by its action to support both It's platform and
nominees.
That should be placed in that high position knew
was the will of the 10000 voters OF that common
wealth VII, had expressed their confidence by then
votes so unanimously that no man from thai ot'le
could have been delegate to that convention ll "e
had dared to breathe aloud that he was opposed either
to the principles represented to my personal can
ddature.
In thus doing the will Of those who sent me sought
none of the honors the convention, and inerered
with none It's proceedings save to serve as member
of its committee what should have been its platform
Of principles and not Of expedients.
owing 10 accident without fault OF any one
reached that committee only after 1t had been some
hours ia session and then found by solemn vote twice
over that it was equally divided upon the question
whether in raising the moneys necessary Tor an n'he
ami economical carrying of the Government the
Democratic party would pledge itself to tax the people
in such manner only a. would best promote American
euterprise and American industry and foster aad
cherish American labor This division was shown 10y
reated votes of eighteen States to eighteen state, III
the choice a. chairman. who would represent the
Affirmative OF negative Of that vital proposition Inc
committee failing TO elect a chairman remained under
deliberations with the understanding that after a
tarif plank should be agreed upon, either one or the
other of the two candidates Messrs. Converse OF Ohio,
or Morrison of Illinois, should be elected permanent
chairman and present platform to the convention the
tlra plank of which should most nearly accord with
H. views.
To find myself holding the controlling vote in Com
mittee on Resolutions of Democratic National Con
veution was not a untried position. had held
that position twenty flour years before IN the Charles
ton Convention Of 1880; and there was obliged by
nv convictions to differ from both sides then pre-
scented second minority report Of one, which was
adopted by the convention.
At Chicago a subcommittee Of eight chosen, and
directed to prepare tariff plank and submit to the
committee In that subcommittee presented a series
Of resolutions which may be thus summarized
L That no more revenue should be raised by any
form Of taxation than absolutely necessary for the ex-
peu,es of he Government
. That such revenue should be raised by tariff
imports.
3 That all material used in arts and manufactures,
and the uecessares of life produced III this country
should come in free but uxuries should be taxed to
The highest possible point
That the internal revenue tax upon liquors dis
tiled and fcrmented. and tobacco being a war tax.
should be sacredly devoted to relieving the people
from the remaining burdens of the war to wit the care
and comfort or relief of soldiers disabled in the Of
fouId from time to time allow such soldiers and paid
into fund for that purpose, like fund having been
foTO
.. That the laws imposing duties for revenue should
b, 20 adjusted best promote American enterprise
and American industry. % cherish and foster American
A. Dor and not create monOpoles.
ON submitting these resolutions 20 the subcommittee
a. r-t four articles agreed 10 without division
ll the fifth declaring the duty OF the Government to
. Law tayes beat to promote American enterprise
aud American industry. and cherish aud foster Ancri
can labor failed of adoption by vote of four to four
From that hour any candidature OF mine IN that con
voution became 10 me Impossible
Tbo defeat of any possible nominee Of the party upon
Tree trade platform seemed to me inevitable even
n,t desirable The influences which caused the change
Of three votes out Of seven clearly ioIeshado"ed inc
Nominee.
Al the next meeting Of my delegation requeacd
tba my name be presented, and augRcsted o thcu
g. favor the nomination Of gentleman "boss 'hRtn
oil public service and long acquaintance WIN pnpho
ala and whose PRIOR Cynsdcfaou ln Othof D"ihp'
cratic conventions showed that ho bad claims to
be oonsideted Democratic statesman All Of the del.
egatlOn Who remained faithful tO their constituents,
and represented the Massachusetts Democracy, 40
voted and with true consistency aud propriety 30
stood firmly tO the end.
Then onsued Ia the committee a struggle OF many
hours 40 10 frame tarh plank that should appear 10
say what mine SAID ana yet not say IT, and appear to
say TO the contrary and yet not say it Ike the
Western hunter wbO tried 10 shoot his rihe At
thing he dmly saw stirring IN bush so Us 10 hit 1t If
II was a deer and miss II # II Wa a calf
With this struggle Of ingenuity and deception a. il
for a prize OF course, had nothing 10 do, but simply
stood bv nav guns M resolutions we're never again
voted upon n the committee the tariff resolu
tOn Ia the words In which II was presented TO the
convention agreed upon IN the ubcommttee at ALL but
wac amended aeT IL %s tSa, @ins .ne genera %
ttantaly the Ohio tsri plank which. when offered BY
Nv. Converse in general committee, was also voted
down. although 1t had been adopted by many State
aterward offered a series of resolutions in favor Of
INDUSTRIES AND LABoRING MEN AND WOMEN OF
THE COUNTRY.
That under existing laws all controversies be-