The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-07


man argued, in conclusion, that the
platform of 1884 was the one upon which
Mr.. Cleveland was elected; that he has,
Mr.. German stated, been content to ad-
minister the Executive office in accord
ance with its principles. 1t has ample
latitude rs much as the administration
itself deserves; and it would be i'm
polite at this time to make it more en-
phatic.
wATTERsoN's FRANENEss.
Mr.. Wattenon responded in an adj
dress of about one hours duration.
The platform of ten years ago, he said,
was straddle and so accepted by the
Committee on Resolutions in the con-
ventiOn of 1854. It's Advocates had said,
"Let us go into power and then we can
frame policy to suit our party views"
The issue Of that election, said Mr..
Watterson, did not prove the wisdom OF
an equivocal policy. twas not policy
pleasing to our peculiar American
manhood. 1t came to be stigmat-
lied as straddle and there
was an odium attached to it,
from which it could not be freed. The
campaign, fortunately for the Demo-
cratic party, by the nomination OF Mr..
Blaine had become one of person.
alities and Mr.. Cleveland was elected.
The result did not prove the strength
OF the 1854 platform, and did not justify
the faith OF the advocates OF n straddling
policy. In his judgment there was no
craftsmanship in duplicity. 1t would,
he thought, be wise to take an aggressive
stand, as the Democratic party had now
been irrevocably committed to the
policy Of
HORIZONTAL REDUCTION
by Cleveland's last message and by the
bitterness Of n majority of the Demo-
cratic party in the House OF Representa-
tives. From that position, said Mr..
Watterson, there can be no retreat.
Our position is clearly announced, it is
known to our opponents and TO the peo-
pie. He believed, moreover, that the
bold, manly tone of Mr.. Cleveland's
message had very happy effect.
The utmost candorof expression char
acterized Senator German and Mr.. Wat
terson, and perfect good feeling was main
tanned throughout, but it soon
became evident that their relative
positions upon the point ut issue would
be maintained, and it became quite rs
clear that the majority OF the committee
had been impressed with Mr.. Germans
candid statement OF the political cxpe-
diency involved in the discussion.
Throughout the discussion the members
of the committee listened with eager
attention, and though the heat OF the
committee rooms was almost insutlera-
BILE not chair was vacated during the
long session. The doors were kept care
fully locked all morning and throngs OF
prominent gentlemen, among whom was
Col. Morrison, OF Illinois, waited impa-
tiently in the corridor for any informa-
ton that could be cleaned as to the pro-
ceeding from any member OF the COM
mittee who might appear in the corridor
for momcntary breath OF fresh air. AT
noon
A GENERAL DEBATE WAS BEGUN
on the question of reafFirming the plat
form Of 'S4, ten minutes to be allowed
each State, and a vote to be had at 1880.
The debate, however, was prolonged
after 8 o'clock. By vote of % to 10 the
agreed to Senator Germans
TO endorse and reiterate the
tariff platform OF 1854. tits understood
that there will be no serious division
upon the other planks in the platform.
The committee reassembled tonight at
o'clock for consideration OF the plat,
form by sectiong.
Mr., Watersou received the following
kilograms to-day:
Failure to endorse the Mills bill may
defeat it.
Tsignedl own. @. BREcKrNRlDGE."
"Don't like dispatches this morning.
Can't afford to temporiSe or straddle. A
strong anti-tariff plank in platform, or
appeal to the convention.
S. Q. GROUSE, Louisville, Ky.
Gov. John @. Brown handed the fol-
lowing telegram he had Just received
from Congressman Mcmillan, TO Mr..
Watterson this afternoon;
Cor. John @. Bro,ra, Southern Hotel.
Failure to indorse the Mills bill in
the platform or separate resolutions may
defeat it. Wecharged baYonets here and
have the enemy, il the convention will |
10 its duty.
[Signedl BENTON MCMILLAN.
As the evening session OF the Com
nittee on Resolutions was about to be
begun it was stated upon very high au-
.hOrity that there was to be an addi-
.ional paragraph added to the reafflrma-
ion Of the 1884 tariff plank, explaining
more fully the scope, gand relieving it OF
hat ambiguity which Mr.. Water
ION had characterized as "a strad-
lle," and making it conform
o the principles enunciated by
he Presidents message. Mr.. German
md Mr.. Scott has Just held long con-
erence upon this subject, and it was
tated that the additional paragraph was
o beinserted as a result ofadditional light
eceived to-day from Washington.
When Mr., Morrison was asked for his
opinion upon the results OF the commit
ee's work and the later rumors as to
What would be done in addition, he said
hat he was not yet prepared TO tall, but
you'd have something to say ut the pro-
yer time.
GOVERNOR dRAY's FRIENDS
made an effort to-day to take an adyan-
lge of the circumstances which led to
n adjournment of the convention until
9-morrow. The Indianians have dis
layed some OF the spirit OF the Grant
D6 OF 1880, and have been fighting with
reat desperation and persistenCy. Even
18th two-thirds of the convention
pparently against them, they have
managed to keep up IN outward
low Of hopefulness.
The compact between Congress-
AN Scott and Senator German to secure 8
Eun - I