The Indianapolis journal., 1888-01-07
Voorhees, as vice-Presidential Quantity.

Voorhees, as a vice-Presidential Quantity.
Evansville Courier (Dem.}
Mr.. Voorhees's aspirations are not discredit-
able perhaps, but they are surprising His sim
gular conversion from being q protectionist of
the Pig-iron Kelly school to the school of tariff
reform led by President Cleveland, is one of the
most striking instances of flexible convictions
that have ever been recorded in our political
history.
Years ago, when member of Congress, Mr..
trade sentiments. Without pretending to give
his exact language, he said in substance in one
of his speeches that he was utterly opposed TO
protection. and that If q Hottentot could make
a bolt of cloth and sell it cheaper than New
England manufacturer could sell it, American
consumers ought to have the privilege of buying
Later on, and as the South began to develop
its manufacturing reso urces, Mr.. VOORHEES,, like
come other emotional politicians, leaped to the
conclusion that the South would soon adopt the
protection theory, and, having some kind OF a
bee in his bonnet at the time. he accepted an in
vitation to speak in Atlanta on the occasion of
the cotton exposition that was held in that city
in 1882 In that speech, to the surprise and re-
gret of his party friends in Indiana. he took the
other side of the tariff question and spoke as
warmly in favor.of protection Mr.. Blaine or
John Sherman has done since
At the Chicago convention in 1884 Mr.. Voor-
hees wished to be placed on the committee on
resolutions, but his fellow-delegates from Indi-
ana, knowing how at variance his views the
tariff were with the views Of the Indiana De-
mocracy, refused him that appointment, and the
was in perfect accord with his party all ques-
tions. Indixnians who were present rememb Der
with modification which they cannot suppress
to this day, how Mr.. Voorhees, separated him.
self from his colleagues who were led by the la
mented Hendricks, and, rising in his place, os-
tentatiously requested to be placed on record as
voting for the minority report which was pre-
sented by Ben Butler. and which strongly advo-
Gated protection. Since that time. until within
the last few days, Mr.. Voorhees, has never ell
lowed an opportunity to pass when he has not
ady tad tha
In the face of such record as this Mr.. Voor-
hees's latest announcement. that he has pre-
pared a speech in line with the Presidents mes
sage to be delivered in the Senate at early
day, seems incredible, at least it would seem
incredible if made by any other public man in
found no difficulty in changing from free
trader to protectionfsr when he had some
kind of bee in his bonnet in 1882, it is perhaps
not inconsistent that having another bee in his
bonnet now, he should again change from being
a pronounced Protectiouist to a pronounced
tariff reformer.
One thing, however, is intolerable; it is the
effort OF Mr. Voorhees, friends to aid him in his
aspirations for the nomination for Vice-presi-
dent by continually associating his name with
that of the President. and pretending that the
latter has expressed the wish to have him nom
mated for the second place on the national DEM
ocratic ticket. 1t is impossible that there can
be any political sympathy between President
Cleveland and Mr.. VOORHEES,. Since his inaugu-
ration the President has had no moro unsparing
critic. If he had been member OF the OPP
posing party, Mr.. voorhees, could not have
besn worse enemy to the administration.
Cleveland had hardly been inaueurated before
he caused it to be announced that he intended
to make the greatest effort Of his life' against
civil-service reform soon as he could get the
floor in the Senate. Since that time both he and
Mr.. Mcdonald have seized every occasion to
sneer at this policy which the President has had
much at heart, and to create q feeling against
him among their constituents because ne in
sisted upon obeying tho law of the land and re-
deeming the pledges of three national Democratic
conventions. For Mr. Voorhees, to appear at
this late day as the champion of the Presidents
wishes and of tariff reform is to trife with the
patience of the people and to insult their intel
lgence.
The Washington contingent may continue TO
disport themselves in the public eye to their own
discredit if they choose. and may fatter them
selves that the people are as frivolous in their
treatment of serious matters as they. But they
will find when the time comes that the Indiana
Democrac are no longer TO be deceived by a
political weather-cock who has other con-
victions except the one that all public measures,
however serious in their bearing upon the coun-
try's prosperity, are inconsequenrial whom COM
pared to his own Unsuitable lust for place and
power.
Indiana will present q candidate to the nation
al Democratic convention for the Vice presi-
Dental nomination, but his name will be Isaac
p. Grav.