Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-07-16

Hon. Frank Hurd, pronounced free
trade member Of Congress, from Ohio,
was seen as he was leaving Chicago az
ter theAdjournment of the Democratic
Convention, and was asked how he
liked the tariff plank of the platform,
and his reply was that the platform
adopted by the Convention is satistacto.
ry to the revenue reformers, or free trad
ers as they are called, because all idea
of protection of any kind is excluded
from it. Mr.. Hurd does not deny that
he is an out and out free trader, and in
this he is honest above many Of his fell
low members who shrink from the
name and yet are as pronounced in their
|sympathies for free trade. Mr.. Hurd
does not hesitate to state in what particu-
lar points the platform favors free
trade. He says the provisions relating
to raw material, to establishing CON-
mercial relations with other American
Republics, and the loss OF the American
marine trade on the high seas all point
to reduction Of the tariff rates and a
close approximation to free trade. He
further says that the plan by which the
change Is to be made, cannot but be
satisfactory to every one who hopes for
the adoption Of ultimate free trade in
this country. In answer to the question
II Mr.. Cleveland had any part directly
or Indirectly in making up the platform,
Mr.. Hurd says: Mr.. Cleveland was
known to be a pronounced revenue re-
former, and was in hearty sympathy
with majority In the House. With
Mr.. Hurd's view of the case, Mr.. Book
walter, Mr.. Morrison, Mr.. Watterson,
Mr.. Carlisle and other pronounced free
traders heartily agreed. Mr.. Book
walter in answer to an inquiry as to
what he expected of Democratic Con-
gress and Democratic President il
they are elected, said
believing that a tariff leviei for the pur-
pose ofprotectiNn can only work "a tho In
Jury OF our industries and business, and
believing that reduction OF customs auties
10 the Very lowest point practicable Will ope-
rate to the advantage Of our business inter-
ests, think 1t 10 the duty Of the Democratic
party to take immediate tops when In power
to bring about this reduction, and It would
be bound to do 1t under the platform Of this
convention. i think 1t is more specific in It's
Declarations, moro unmistakAbly anti-protsc-
tive than any former platform Of the Demo
cratic platform"
We hardly think anything more is
requisite to show the views Of the pro-
nounced free traders in regard to what
is meant and intended in the Demo
cratic platform. This coupled with the
attempt made in Congress to reduce the
tariff must be- taken as unmistakable
evidence that the Democratic platform
means free trade, and that if the Demo-
Gratis succeed in electing the President
and Congress also free trade will follow
as certain as night follows day. Re
sponsive to this view is the stagnation
of business already all over the country.
Workingmen who are laid off from work
and are having their wages reduced
need have no trouble in ascertaining the
cause. The gradual reduction of tariff
duties alluded to and expected by Mr.
Hurd, is preceded by gradual reduc-
ton Of wages. This is the first step
towards equalizing wages and trade to
suit British wages and free trade This
is hopeful lookout for business. Will
labor appreciate it by voting for Demo
cracv and free trade9