The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-06
TIE CLOUD on THE HORIZON.

There May be n split ON the Tariff Plank.
Henry watorson's Courageous stand.
ST. Louis, June 5.-As stated in these
dispatches last night, there is u plan,
backed by very influential party leaders,
to simply reaifirm the tariff plank of
1884 and omit all reference to the Presi-
dents message. Henry Waterson, who
is n member OF the committee on Reso-
lutions, said ofthe scheme: "The old enc
my OF revenue reform in n new disguise,
is on the ground us tireless and sleepless
and expert as ever in his purpose to con.
fuse Democratic counscls and to play in
the hands OF proteCtlonlsts. at Chicago
the marty was taken by surprise because
the work OF packing the platform COM
mittee had proceeded in darkness: It
was then only partially successful. i
hope that mt st. Louis the rule OF fore,
warned is forearmedl will hold good and
that the present movement 10 betray the
party in the interest Of protection will
not succeed at all"
"How do you think the true and the
false on this question can be distin-
guished?"
"When you hear man talking about
the re-adoption Of the tariff plank OF 1884,
set him down at once as an enemy Of
revenue reform, That plank was adopted
after two days and nights OF wrangling
to mcetan emergency which therevenue
reformers fully realized. They knew
that the nomination had
CHANGED THE ISSUE OF THE CAMPAIGN
from one of doctrine to one OF character,
and they entered the Platform Commit.
tee prepared to make every needful sac
rifice short OF principle itself. They met
there a body OF select men who had been
artfully picked for single purpose and
fed on profuse promises OF one sort or
another. That single purpose was the
construction OF tariff plank which they
could claim as victory for protection
and defeat for revenue reform; and
with the aid OF Ben Butler they did
complete the construction OF a plank
which the country accepted as strad-
die. But its re.adoption would not only
fly in the face OF the Presidents message
and make the withdrawal OF the Mills
bill necessity, abandoning all the
ground We have gained in the last four
years, and particularly the last six
months, but It would send every true
revenue reformer home sick at heart,
delight the Republicans and disgust all
honest men. 1t is the tricky device OF a
mere corporal's guard, composed ofmen
largely and personally interested in high
tariff taxes, who are making that last
struggle to obstruct reform"
"What sort Of tariifplank would you
Il have had no time to consider the
phrasing Of tariff plank, and have put
no word on paper, But am clear in
mind that we should stand
SQUARE ny THE PRESIDENT
and our friends and representatives in
Congress. 1t is too late to disown the
one or apologize for the otbersn
"Would you indorse the Mills billP"
1.-THE Mills bill is u simple measure,
not yet perfected and liable to amend-
ment. OF course, platform which is
to lay down fighting lines for campaign
which is to last nearly six months could
not adopt itfor basis, but all should give
the principles Of the message, and the
PURPOSE OF those in Congress who have
supparted il so ably and so bravely,
ringing endorsement. We should leave
nothing to conjecture. We should tol-
crate no straddles. Whether we like it
or not, we shall have to face the muslc
OF the Presidents making, and We ought
to face it like men Of sincerity and hon
ar, who are not afraid OF their convic-
tions aud have the courage to maintain
them"
The Republic has doubie-ieaded
editorial this morning on the same sub.
ject. 1t says: The real motive OF the
efforts to prevent the incorporation OF u
definite and clearly expressed tariff re-
form plank in the Democratic platform
is hostility to President Cleveland.