The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-04
SLY OLD ISAAC.

Governor Gray Informs President Cleveland
that He PIagiarized His Message from Him.
Interview with Chicago Herald Correspondents.
s'In your intercourse with members Of the
party, Governor, what do you find to be the sem
timent regarding President Clevelands admins
trationw
Upon that question there is no difference Of
opinion. The Democrats regard it as an honest.
upright and economical administration of public
affairs and the Republicans themselves admit
this to be true In fact. the feeling is general
that the President is honest, and what is to be
specially commended in him is that he has the
courage of his convictions"
"What is the present condition of the Demo
cratic party Of Indiana compared with 1857
'"rhe Democratic disafection with the admin
istration has almost entirely disappeared, and
he will undoubtedly receive the united and en-
thusiastic support OF the party in this State.
The fact that the Republicans carried the State
at the last election by only about 600 jorirv
Notwithstanding dissensions. apathy. and lack
of organization among Democrats, shows con-
clusively that Indiana is Democratic State.
The Democratic loss in congressional dis
trict alone in that campaign equals the Republi-
plurality in the entire State. The defeat
in 1886 advantage rather than a detri-
ment to the Democratic party, SO far as the
coming campaign is concerned. for victory
then would make the party over-sanguine now
and lead to belief that triumph in 1883 could
be secured without effort. If the Republicans.
however. base their hopes Of success ia Indiana
will find themselves badly mistaken, Cor the
Democrats will be harmonious and united in
1888"
"Are the sentiments of the Presidents mes
sage generally Endorsed by Democrats"
Eyes, they are in perfect harmony with the
views of Indiana Democrats 1t is substan-
speakers in 1884 when we carried the State by
plurality of nearly 8,0GN / made the canvass
for Governor and was Elected, you may say.
upon that issue. for my speeches were discus
sion almost entirely of the tariff question"
Twill a tarff-reduction issue add to the
strength OF the Democratic party in this State"
San issue that proposes to reduce the tax
upon the necessaries Of life will certainly
strengthen the party in favor Of reduction. 1
do not believe that any party that advocates
than is NECESSARY to meet the needs of the gen
eral government can succeed next year before
the people, and any party that takes the posi-
accumulation of an unnecessary surplus in the
United States treasury, when the sole object of
the tax is to protect the monopolies. will be re-
pudated by the intelligent voters of the Union"
"What are your own views on the subject of
tariff referm?n
My views upon the subject are fully in
cord with those of the President. and state
ment of them would be practically repetition
of the sentiments of his late mess age to Con-
gress My canvass of 1884 having been made
upon that issue I have nothing since to
change my views but, upon the contrary. have
become more ana more convinced that the well
fare of all classes in the United States depends
upon judicious, fair, and equitable revision of
the present tariff"
do you understand his message to be free
trade documentl'
''No, I do not. It refutes the idea of free
trade, and is clear upon the question Of revis-
ion that no intelligent voter can possibly misun-
derstand It
''Will not the Republicans seek rather to avoid
national issues and confne the State campaign
to questions of State policy2"
Every likely they will, but even here their
record is against them. Their demand for non
partisan control sof the State benevolent insti-
tuLions is hypocritical ana insincere. for never
at any time when they had full and complete
control of the State did they adopt it, In 1883