The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-09-11
Testing his Sinnaritv.

Testing his Sincerity.
The stock in trade of the Democrats
about this time is buster. They are claim
ing everything regardless of past results,
present assurances or future prospects. In
this spirit, a noisy Cleveland man was
raising cain in this hotel corridors at Wash
ington. a week..or two ago. He.futtered in
his hand three. $500 bills, shaking them in
the face of every one as a wager that
Cleveland would be elected. No one
seemed disposed to disturb his confident
mood or the. sincerity Of his proposition,
until neatly dressed quiet youth of about
% summers was encountered. At first he
said nothing, but after listening to the
boastful fellow for awhile, he stepped up
to friend in the National Hotel and
asked if it was entirely safe to leave
$3 900 at the office until November. When
informed that thirty times three thous-
and could be left there with impunity, he
quietly walked up to the sport, remarking,
II think I heard you say you were
anxious to bet 81, 500 that Cleveland would
be elected President ~
Yes was the response, there's the
money, 2 and the three $500 bills were pro-
duced.
Il will take that bet, y said the young
man, and drawing from an inner pocket a
good sized roll of notes presented the
wager.
This had a dampening effect on the ex-
uberance of the Cleveland disciple. He
hesitated, hemmed and hawed, and finally
said 'But it don't suit my business to
lay out 81 500 until November, but l IL bet
you $780,
The. youth responded: THAT lis very
small matter, and would not have walked
in here and had this scene for that amount.
but as it is over and we are...here, I'll ac-
commodate you, and will put up one hun
bred dollars"
Turning to the betting stranger again,
THE young man said, Now, will bet you
$500 to 800 that | will win the money
we have just placed in the clerk s hands. y
No. replied the boaster, THAT is as
much as will risk
This little incident, which was related
to us bya gentleman who witnessed it, il
Illustrates the whole Democratic campaign.
1t is one of buster and threat to end in
fizzle.
Mr.. Mines assertion that the Demo-
Gratis are for free trade is untrue. The Chi
cago platform of the Democratic party de-
clares explicitly for such protection as
shall prevent free-trade-Such protection
as will cover the difference at least between
the rate of wages in this country and the
rate of wages in foreign countries. Dis
patch.
The platform declarations of the Demo-
cratic party, in National Conventions. no.
tably in 1S56,were distinctly for free trade.
The National Convention of 1880 an
nounced for u tariff policy for revenue
only The Democratic platform OF 1884,
says: Federal taxation shall be exclu-
sively for public purposes, and shall not
exceed the needs of the government eco
nomically administered.
Mr.. Watterson, Mr.. Frank Hurd and
other Democratic headlights claim that
if the tariff resolution of 1884 does not
mean free trade it means nothing. The
Morrison tariff bill was designed to pre-
1 pare the way for free trade. Carlisle, Nor
rison, Hurd, Watterson. Tucker and those
who believe with them, contend that the
constitution restricts Congress in its leg
islatioNon the tariff question to proyid-
ing revenue only for the support OF gov
eminent, and that it is unconstitutional
to enact laws looking to the protection
and building up of industrial establish
ments. This, they assert, would be legis-
lating to establish mon0polies-tO create
huge private establishments for the bene-
fit of private corporations or individuals
Notwithstanding this, the same resolu-
ton of 1884, contains this: 1.-The neces-
sary reduction in taxation can and must
be effected without depriving American
Labor of the ability to compete success
fully with foreign labor and without i'm
posing lower rates of duty than will be
ample to cover any increased cost Of pro-
duction, when may exist lin consequence
of the higher rate of wages prevailing in
this country"
And here the Dispatch finds its warrant
for it's protection claim. What is to be
thought of the sincerity of a party that
would deliberately declare for two contra
dictory propositions affecting the same
subject 1t is free trade in one breath
and protection in the other. Mr.. Tucker
says he can stand on it because he looks to
the free trade clause. Mr.. Randall and
the. Dispatch say they can stand on it, be-
cause they point to the protection clause.
The record of the party, however. as made
in the last Congress, iixesits status
The Morrison bill was it's declaration
of faith Whether this be admitted
OF not, the fact that the National Conven-
ton inserted the two antagonistic clauses
we have quoted in the tariff resolution,
should be evidence sufficient that the par
ty cannot be trusted. 1t seeks to deceive.
1t is afraid to be honest. TT wants to
sneak into power by double-dealing and
falsehood, and when once there ithen the
true policy Of the party will be assured in
legislation. to be followed by the prostra-
tion of the whole industrial system OF the
country which has contributed so much to
national honor. national progress and pros
perity
Mr.. j. Yost, Republican nominee, and
Hon. J. R. Tucker, Democratic nominee for
Congress in the 10th or StauntOn District,
met in joint discussion at Lexington on
Monday last. We do not think it any dis
credit to Mr.. Yost to say that Mr.. Tucker
had the advantage in the discussion. A cor
respondent of the Staunton Spectator says
such was the case ,-Rockingham Register.
The correspondent of the Spectator
stated what was not so. We haveiit from
Republicans and Democrats whoaheard
the entire discussion, and.there is no ques-
tion but that Mr.. TuckerswasH worsted lin
the encounter. 1t might not be a 'discred-
NJ A a. L. 4