Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-07
ANOTHER srRADDLE PLATFORM.
German Wins and Clevcland's Free
Trade Policy 10 Put In the Closet.


The committe on resolutions resumed it
session at IL A. NJ. and the sub ccmmitte,
reported an inability to agree, the point a
issue being the question Of re-affirming tn,
tariff plank in the platform of 1884.
| German proposed the reaffirmation of th,
| tariff plank of the 1884 platform and tn,
general endorsement Of the policy of re-
| iuction as indicated in the Presidents tariff
message.
Watterson opposed any allusion to ths
1884 platform, which he deemed eQuivoca
and indirect.
Mr.. German addressed the committee fol
an hour and emphasized the political expedi.
eucy of democratic success in New York
" hich was much better than it was foul
years ago. He regarded Indiana, (and he
appealed to Senator Turpie to confirm the
stAtement) New Jersey and Connecticut as
doubtful, and would have no hope of the
party carrying them upon tariff for revenue
only platform. German argued in conclu.
sion that the platform of 1884 WAS the one
upon which Cleveland was selected. He &C.
cepted the nomination upon it. and he has
been content to administer the executive Of
fice in accordance with its principles. 1t has
ample latitude. as much as the adminis'ra-
tion its, If desires, and 1t would be impo.trt
TO make it more emphatic.
Waterson r, sponded in an hours address.
The platform Of four years ago. he said, was
n stradlle and so accepted by the committee
on resolutions in the convention of 1884. Its
advocates had said, Let US get into power
then we can frame bill to suit our party
views" The Issues of that election did no,
prove the wisdom Of an equivocal policy. II
was not policy pleasing to our popular
American manhood 1t came to be stigma
tized as stratldle and an odium was at
tached to it from which it couldn't be freed.
The campaign. fortunately for the democrat
ic party, by the nomination of Blaine,
had become one of personalities and Cieye-
lan1 was elected. The result didn't strengthen
the 1884 platform did not justify the faith
of the advocates of the straddling policy
There was no craftsmanship in duplicity. 1t
would be wise to take an aggressive stand as
the democratic party had now been irrsvok-
ably committed to the policy of reduction by
Clevelands last message and by the utter
ances of majority of the democratic party
in the House of Representatives. From
that position there can be no retreat.
Our position is clearly announced, 10
known to our opponents and to the people.
He believed that Cleveland's message had a
very happy effect. The utmost candOr and
expression characterized the remarks of both
Watterson ond German and perfect good
feeling was was maintained throughout.
Soon it became evident that their relative
positions on the point at issue would be
maintained and it became quite as clear that
a majority of the committee were impressed
with GOrmans candid statement of the pOliti-
cal expediency involved in the discussion.
Throughout the discussion the members
of the committee listened with rapt attention.
At noon the general debate begun upon the
question of reafRrming the platform Of 1884,
and ten minutes were allowed each state.
A vote was to be taken at l.3O. The debate
WAS prolonged until after 3 O'Clock. BY q
vote Of rs to 10, the committee agreed to
Gorman's proposition to endorse and reiterate
the platform of 1884.
Itis understood there will be no serious
divisions upon the other planks in the plat
form. The committee reassem hled tonight
at I o'clock for cons, ,Jeration Of the platform
by sections.
The committee on resolutions reached q
compromise on the tariff plank this evening
Watters0n says of the report that will be
submitted tomorrow: The substance il
this--that we renew our fnality to demo
CTatit pFluCipitS 6nu IeAlLTlu tuc pidtIoIh VI
1884, and endorse the last annual message OF
the President and declare it the correct
Interpretation of the platform and we approve
the efforts of our democratic representative
in Congress to secure reduced taxation. Ir
a separate resolution to be offered to the
convention tomorrow, we commend the Mill,
bill and urge i,s passage at an early day.
oorman Gets an Equivocal Tariff Plank
r..LoUIs. June s.
1t is reported on good authority that Cor
mans proposition to reaffrm the tariff planl
of 1884 was carried by vote of 25 to 20 in
the committee on platform.
Rumored That Thurman's Chances art
Net 30 Good.
ST. LorIs. June 6.
The friends of Gov. Gray nave been busy
since noon, and late tonight it is rumored tia
Thurman's chances for nomination tomor