New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-07
WATTERSON UNHORSED:
THE DEMOCRATIC MULE KICKS AT FREE
TRADE.

SENATOR G0RMAN SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATES
THE RENEWAL OF THE MEANINGLESS TAR
1FF PLANK OF 1ss4-TO THIS ARE TO
BE ADDED PARAGRAPHS PRAIsING
CLEyELANDs MESSAGE AND
THE MILLS BILL.
st. Louis, June 6.-The Committee on Resolu.
tons resumed its session at o. m. to-day at the
Southern Hotel. The subcommittee appointed to
draft platform entered the room afterward look
ing exceedingly worn by their long session of last
night. They reported their inability to agree, the
point at issue being the question Of reafirming the
tariff plank in the platform of 1884 The sub
committee had listened to earnest appeals last
night in favor Of and opposed to the question: but
could not agree. Mr. German proposed reafiirma-
tion of the tariff plank in the 1884 platform and
general Endorsement of the policy Of reduction
as indicated in the Presidents tariff message Mr..
Watterson opposed any alluson to the platform of
1884, which he deemed equvocal and indirect.
Mr.. German addressed the committee for an hour,
and emphasized the political expedency of a
moderate tariff policy. While he considered the
prospects of Democratic success in New-York
much better than they were four years ago.
lie regarded Indiana land he appealed to Senator
Turpie to confirm his statement), New.Jersey and
Connecticut as doubtful and he would have no
hope Of his party carrying them upon tariff
for-revenue-only platform. Mr.. German argued
that the platform of 1884 was the one upon
which Mr. Cleveland was elected that he accepted
the nomination upon 1t, and has been content to
administer the Executive Office in accordance with
its principles 1t has ample latitude, as much
as the Administration itself desires; and it would
be impolitic at this time to make it more en-
phatic.
THE RADICALS WANT NO COMPROMISE
Mr.. Watterson responded in an address Of
about one hours duration. The platform OF ten
years ago, he said, a straddle, and ac-
cepted by the Committee on Resolutions in the
Convention of S84. It's advocates had said: 4" Let
us get into power and then we can frame policy
to suit our party vews.' The issue OF that
election, said Mr.. Watterson did not prove the
wisdom of an equivOcal policy. 1t was not a
policy pleasing to American manhood. 1t came to
be stigmatized a straddle, and there was an
odium attached to it from which it could not be
freed. The campaign, fortunately for the Dem
ocratic party, by the nomination of Mr.. Blaine,
had become Of personalities and Mr. Cleveland
had been elected. The result did not prove
the strength of the platform of 1884 and did not
justify the faith of the advocates of straddling
policy. In his Judgment there statesman
ship in duplicity. 1t would, he thought, be wise
to take an aggressive stand, as the Democratic
party had now been lrrevOcably committed to
the policy of horizontal reduction by Mr.. Cleve-
land last message and by the utterances of the
majority of the Democratic party in the House
of Representatives, From that position, said Mr..
WattersOn, there can be no retreat Dor posi-
tion is clearly announced. 1t is known to our
opponents and to the people" lie believed more
over that the bold, manly tone of Mr.. Cleveland's
message had had very happy effect
The utmost candor Of expression characterized
the remarks of both Mr. Watterson and Senator
Goman and perfect good feeling was maintained
throughout. But it soon became evident that
their relative positions upon the point at issue
would be maintained, and it became quite clear
that the majority of the com1lttee had bccn iu,-
pressed with Mr.. Gorman's candid statement Of
the political expcdiercy involved in the question.
Throughout the discussion the members Of the COM
mitteo listened with eager attention md
though the heat of the committee rooms was OIL
most insufrerable not a chair was vacated during
the long session. The doors were kept carefully
locked all the morning and throngs of prominent
gentlemen, among whom was Colonel Morrison, of
Illinois, waited mpatiently in the corridor fo- any
information that could be CLEANED as to the pro-
ceedings from any member Of the committee who
might appear in the corridor for breath of fresh
air. At noon the general debate was begun upon
the question of reaflirming the platform of 1854,
ten minutes to be allowed each State and q vote
to be had at l: 80. The debate. however. was
prolonged aftc- o'clock.
VICTORY FOR SENATOR GoRMAN.
By vote of 25 to 0 the committee agreed to
Senator Gorman's proposition to indorse and re-
terate the tariff platform of 1884 The follow-
ing is the full wording of the tariff plank in the
Democratic platform adopted in Chicago in 1884 :
The Democratic party pledged to revise the tariff in
a spirit OF fairness TO interests But in making
taxes proposed to njure any domestic
industries but rather TO promote their healthy growth
From the foundation OF this Government taxes collected
at the Custom House been the chief Of Fed
eral revenue they must continue to be; moreover
many industries to rely upon legislation for
successful continuance that change Of law must
be at every step regadu Of the labor and capital In
volyed process Of reform must be subject in
ton to this plain dictate OF iusticca taxation shall be
limited to the requirements of an economical Govern
ment The necessary reduction in taxation must
effected without depriving American labor of the
ability compete successfully with for
egn labor and without imposing lower rates Of duty than
will be ample any increased II production
which may exist IN consequence OF the higher rate OF
wages rrc alng in this country Sufficient revenue to
pay all the expenses of the Federal Government econom
cay administered including pensions interest and prn-
clpal of the ube t. be got under present
ten ~ AVIATION from eusou.-h'use taxes fewer i'm
ported articles bearing heaviest articles OF luxury and
bearing lightest articles OF necessity. We there
fore denounce the abuse OF tho present tariff,
and subject to the preceding limitations,
demand that Federal taxation shall be
exclusively for public purposes and shall exceed the
needs of the Government economically administered
Mr. Wattcrson received the following telegram
from Washington to-day:
Failure 10 ndorse the Mills bill may defeat II.
(sgned) WILLIAM c. BRECKENRIDGE
Governor John c. Brown handed the following
telegram he had iust received from Congressman
McNlillin to Mr.. WattersOn:
Governor j. C. Brown. Southern Hotel
Failure to indorse the Mills bill In platform separate
resolutions may defeat We charged bayonets here.
Have the convention do its duty.
BENTON McMILLIN
A NEW PARAGRAPH MAY BE ADDED.
AS the evening session Of the Committee
Resolutions was about to begin, 1t was stated