The Washington critic., 1888-05-17
WASHINGTON. MAY II, 1883.

HE MONOToNf OF the tarlil debate
was well interrupted yesterday by
Mr.. Fitch, a Republican Member from
New York city, who made very in
cisive speech in behalf of the Mills
bill He is the only Republican who.
mp TO this time, has spoken in favor of
the bill though Mr.. Nelson, Re-
publican from Minnesota, injected
speech upon an irrelevant issue some
time ago on the same subject and
upon the same side. AIV. Fitch rep
resents Democratic district, and, if
he is to he taken at his word, his
constituents elected him largely be-
cause his Democratic opponent re-
fused to support any measure of tariff
reform and voted against the con-
Ssideration of the Morrison bill"
II has been represented that the
Democratic party will be the loser in
New York city if it makes its fight
npon the policy of the President, be-
cause that metropolis is the greatest
manufacturing city in the country,
and yet the only Republican Repre-
sentative from the city advocates a
tariff reform bill to which practically
all his party are opposed, and gives
reasons therefor which are good until
they are. if they can be, refuted.
The speech of Mr.. Fitch will do
much to show that tax reduction and
tariff reform must be considered on
their merits, and without an over
whehning regard for political parties.
The World thinks that, whether the
omission of the New York Democratic
platform to declare in favor of the
Mills bill is to be construed as "the
silence of omission" or "a blunder of
timidity," il was at least unwise.
Most certainly so. There is a wide
difference between indorsing gen
eral issue and indorsing the specific
embodiment of that issue. Both are
thus practically lost, and the issue be-
comes merely personal one-the ins
against the outs--Cleveland against =?
The ACTION OF THE Senate in pass
ing q bill to award badges to the Off
GERS and members Of the Greedy Re-
lief Expedition is eminently appro-
pirate. The tribute of Senator Chand-
Ter to the efficiency, gallantry and
success of that memorable expedition
was well-deserved and graceful. Rarely
if ever before in naval history has an
expedition been planned, equipped and
accomplished with such promptness,
skill and success, and rarely have an
equal number of men co-operated more
zealously and efrectually in hazard
Gus undertaking. The proposition TO
grant TO the officers of this expedition
the thanks of Congress encountered
opposition, as such an acknowledge
ment of services rendered in times of
peace is unusual and carries with il
- exemptions and privileges which
would, perhaps, have been unjust to
the many naval officers who had
shown their willingness to share the
perils of this expedition. The pre-
sentation of badges, indicative of the
appreciation of Congress, is, however,
an act as free from possible objection
rs il is just and merited.
The REPUBLICAN CONVENTION at
Buffalo Yesterday adopted resolution
ST respect to the memory of Roscoe
Conkling, deploring his uStimely
leath, and declaring his "deeds and
memory perpetual inspiration to
The statesman and patriot. But it is
not of such himsy material as this
that bridges are built.
--A---
The SUGGESTION of General William
5. Rosecrans as candidate for Vice
President is not without merit. II
was made by TIE CRITIc some
months ago and it has recently beer
revived. General Rosecrans is not 9
partisan in politics, but is sound
conservative Democrat-always ha'
been There was no drawer nor better
man. in the Union Army. In spite o
all attempts TO rob him of his fame
he has been fully vindicated. II
Ohio Nc is universally esteemed; IN
California equally so. He would com
lnand great strength in both States
AS public official, under the presen
Administration, his record is beyonC
criticism. The Democratic Conven
tion might do much worse than give
second place on the ticket TO the Reg
lister Of the United States Treasury
The VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS draw i
rather mild on the Tariff bill, bu
they are all for Cleveland and that
fhe main issue.
TnE VERY WORST CASE of interview
on record is that published in Tia,
Buffalo Nens yesterday and tele
graphed all over the country, pur
porting to have been held between
the Ne,cs' correspondent, Frank l.
Powell, and Mr.. James G.. Blaine in {
hotel in Genoa. 1t is a Depew cate
chism from end to end, except this
very startling question put by Mr.
Powell to Mr.. Blaine: "In what way
~ the President of the United States
expected 10 spend money excepting
TO entertain foreign ministers p Just
what bearing this question has ON the
tariff and other issues Of 1883, in
ending Mr.. Blaine's candidacy, does
not appear, but possibly the Nees, in