Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-16
The Platform.

The Washington correspondent OF the
Alexandria Gazette writes as follows:
at Ia understood that at the meeting oil
the Virginia Democratic Association TO he
held here tomorrow night TO ratify the action
OF the 81. Louis Convention resolution
will be introduced 10 the effect that the old
issues in Virginia be abandoned, and that
economic questions shall be the leading issue
OF the coming campaign in their State, the
Presidents low tariff message Us. the He
publican high tariff"
II the advice OF these gentlemen be FOL
lowed the Democrats OF Virginia-especially
the candidates for Congress-wIll this
fall need the help OF the members OF the
Virginia Democratic Association OF Washing
ton. We de not know exactly who compose
the association; but we take It for granted
that whatever else they are, they have the
right to vote in Virginia. Most OF them are,
we suppose, employed in the service oil the
Government, and therefore in adopting the
resolution referred TO will prove that they
have the courage OF their convictions, and
are not afraid TO risk their places for the
sake OF principle. However, we suspect
that when they call upon the Democrats OF
Virginia to abandon their own platform and
divide on the tariff question, they do not
mean that the proteciionist Democrats shall
vote the Republican ticket.
Tue Gazette says editorially:
"As the latter lthe Roanoke PLATFORM de.
clared for the entire abolition OF the internal
revenue system, and for the retention OF the
tax on the necessares OF life, while the
former [the st. Louis PLATFORM, by an
nouncing that It shall be interpreted by the
Presidents last annual message, declared
for The retention OF the internal revenue
system and for the abolition OF the tax on
the necessaries OF lie, there does seem to be
a little Inconsistency in the papers referred
to-
Phe Gazette Observation-Disclosures
ally Of cOurse-the facts OF the case. The st.
Louis Convention expressly limited It's en-
dorsement OF the Presidents last annual mes
sage, as follows:
"The Democratic party OF the United
States, IN national convention assembled, re-
news the pledge Of its fidelity TO the Demo
cratic faith, and rcEflirms the platform adopt
ed by its representatives in the convention
OF 1884, and endorses the views expressed
by President Cleveland in his last earnest
message to Congress as the correct interpre-
tstion OF thst platform upon The question of
tariff reduction and also endorses the ef-
forts Of our Democratic representatives in
Congress 10 secure reduction OF excessive
taxation"
Upon the question OF tariff reduction"
nothing more.
That this limitation was fixed intention
ally, we baye the testimony OF member Of
the Platform Committee OF the st. Louis
Convention. This gentleman said to the
editor Of the DanyiIle REGISTER:
"Kr. Watterson wanted to discard the
platform OF 1884 and to make President
Cleveland's message the basis OF the new
platform. Now the impression prevailed
that the President was opposed to the repeal
OF the internal revenue. and the German
party realized the fact that If the national
Democracy should declare against the repeal
OF the tobaccO-taX, it would cost the party
many votes in Virginia and North Carolina
and other tObaccO.growing States"
So far therefore was the convention from
endorsing the Presidents recommendation
as to internal taxes that it declined to do so,
and for the reason that the members did moi
desire to lose the vote OF Virginia next No
yember.
The editor OF the Danville Register COM
ments and explains as follows;
"Observe the exact language: And en-
dorses the views expressed by President
Cleveland in his last message TO Congress as
the correct Interpretation OF the platform OF
Of f.T
Nothing is said about his reference TO the
internal revenue, and when it is remember
ed that the convention afterwards endorsed
the Mills bill, which does provide for the re-
peal Of the tax on tobacco, there can be no
question as to the position Of the national
Democracy on this question, which so init
mately concerns the people OF Virginia"
That the foregoing Is true statement OF
the case is abundantly proved by the fact that
after passing the resolution first above
quoted, the convention adopted the fol-
lowing:
"Our established domestic industries and
enterprises should not, and need not, be en-
dangered by the reduction and correction Of
the burdens OF taxation. On the contrary, q
fair and careful revision OF our .-X laws,
loih due GLi0loance for the difference be-
tioeen tie trd9es Of american md foreign
labor. must promote aud encourage every
branch OF such industries and enterprises by
giving them assurances OF an extended
market and steady and continuous operations
in the interests Of american tabor, lchich
should ia no event be neglected."
We construe the st. Louis platform as Its
tanners intended it TO be construed.
We ask our good friends OF the CharlOttes-