The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-25
NATIONAL POLITICS.
SUPPORTERS INCREASING WEST AND
NORTHWEST.
Tariff Reform the Cry-Farmers Said to
be Longing to Form an Alliance for
Revenue only-Medill Won't Support
Blaine.

strength in the western and northwestern
States That it is a positive strength lhe
Republicans do not deny; that it is greater
than has been claimed for it no one intelli-
gent enough to read the signs Of the times
will eainsay.
When the subcommittee Of the Repub-
lican national committee was in Chicago,
in the early part of February last making
arrangements for the Republican national
convention, to be held here in June, the
sentiment among the Republican leaders,
as gauged from the committeeman present,
WAS that there should be prolonged dis.
cussion of the tariff discussion. An af-
frmaiive policy in Congress was declared
to BE- the program, and il there was TO be
any tariff legislation, it was the expressed
desire that the Republican members should
take the initiative.
II was deemed the better policy to recog-
nize the demand for the removal Of the
tariff on salt, coal, lumber and sugar, ii such
legislation should be accomplished, and
il the Democratic House should pass bill
the national committeeman were TO apply
form TO the Republican ideas as to how the
tariff should be readjusted.
II was conccdedtlien that the party must
redeem its pledges made in its last national
platform, and it was the intention that the
Republican representatives should have
their attention called TO il. Having ac-
complished this object. the indications were
thai the new platform would have been
similar in ITS tariff plank TO the old one,
and that with skillful management Mr..
Blaine or any other candidate might be
elected.
This was the plan Of the Blaine man
ayers and was outlined in the Herald at the
time but day or two afterward Mr..
Banc's letter was published wherein he
declined to permit his naue to be present
cd 70 che Chicago convention, and then
the crush Of candidates began.
The idea Of the Blaine men was that II a
platform similar in its tariff features to that
Of 1854 was tackled together all the former
Blaine men would stand upon it, notwith.
standing that many Of them sustain Mr..
Ccvcland's tariff message and demand
tariff reform. These Republican wiseacrcs,
aztec putting their heads together, decided
that tariff plank calling for reform would
satisfy the tariff reformers, while the cam.
piipn orators would 90 around through the
country and preach protection. II the Re.
pubI,ans won the election they could dc
az they pleased on the tarii question, lcav.
ing the reformers TO hold the bag and
whistle.
Immediately after Mr.. Blaino's Paris in.
tcryi,W WIS published the war in the Re.
publican ranks began, and many leading
men declared they would not support
..1.tF.wt,. f,.,...l -,
nance with his tariff views. After his let
tar oi drclination the contest grew hotter
bni Nas lullcd for n time 10y MS appearance
Editor Medil said TO H,niH CORE.
spond,ut: II would not support Mr.. Bain,
ii nos mated upon his own platform"
Since then the Republican candidates
lavc been pulling and hauling, but the,
have Individually declared that projection
must be the Republican rillying cry for th,
campaign. This being the case and fore
Swallowing the action to be taken by th,
national Republican convention, there vii
b. larc drfcctions from the RcpublicaI
r,.nlsin the west and northwest.
The Democratic convention, which meet
ut ~ Louis, June D. will set the pace, an,
the Republicans will naturallygo the othc
way. The Republicans will not trail be-
hind ne Democrats on the tariff question
Farmers and workingmcn in this section
ore not proicciionists. The former rails
crops which arc subject 10 every conceiy
Ublt form Of competition, and they are MOI
partial to the further coddling OF "inian
industries" The working people are no
convinced that the tariff is al more valu,
a. lh,m, and they will therefore vote witt
the party Of reform and for the man who !
IT, leIdcr
Four years ago the man who hinicd q
Ire possibility OF the Democrats carryin
Illinois was hooted for logan was on ih
presidential ticket. Gov. OAcsby how
over, who was not on that ticket, only bca
Carter Harrison by 1900 majority Tor Nh
goycfn1ship. This year the Republican
nrc not talking 10 loudly, for they don
know that may happen. The Republican
will be- put upon the defensive. though Il
the nature OF things IL would seem a
though they ought 10 put the Democrat
In thai position.
ln sichign, MinnesOla and Wiscons
The Democrats are hopeful and confident
With Cleveland as the candidate, they sa
they cgn carry these States, no matte
what The Republicans may sec 10 10 pu
IN their platform On the tariff Advice
from these States, and not through DcmC
Cratic sources either, show that Mr.. Clov,
laul'i tarin message has had a wondcrit
mNucuyc--morc, perhaps, than any othy
state paper issucd'irom the White hous
TO- O ac0rc OF ycar, 30 Ear "a Us effect
producing a change Of sentiment Is Col
Cugncl.
should these three States 20 Democrat
--,ult H. 20 for Cleveland only tho.
would De- surprised who do not undufsian
Tho fuation. These are primarily ngr
cultural commonwealth. and though III
gur.rr II slow Of thought and moycmoI
ai Times, when he takes q stand u IL q d
cilcl one. The farmers Of the northwe
iCel lllt protection which does not pu
tee, rhcm, but on the contrary. adds
their already great burdens, Is not VIII.
thoy want, and Clcycland's golden WOr
have struck home.
Recent articles on tho tariff aud trusts
vlr'gus sorts have been extensively copit
thr1Ufl1ut this section. They have 81
cited discussion and comment, and now
look. ~ though The scheme 10 form
iarmcn' trust would come TO some sort
head. The difference between the ~
posed trust and the grange is that the ia
ter VIZ n combination whose object was
make cheap purchases Tor the Farmers; u
trurt j. n combination whose object rs
secure ior the farmer the best price pos
bic iur his products.
In iUo weeks an interstate convention
farmrrs will be held Of Topeka, the capt.
cily ~ Kansas. Tho idea Of q farmer
trust originated In Kansas and the call I