Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-05
wATTERsON's NOTE OF wARNlNG.
lie Raises Hts Voice Against ANY Sort
Of EqntvOcatiOa oa Tariff IaeSorss.

u arltt ketOrm.
ST. LOUIS, June 5.-As stated In these dispatches
last night there Is plan, and one backed by very
Influential party leaders. TO simply realnrm the
tariff plank OF 1854. and omit all reference 20 the
Presidents message. Henry Matterson, who h a
the scheme: "Ihe Old enemy OF revenue reform IN
new disguise Is on the ground, as Urcless and
sleepless an expert as ever Ia his purpose TO con-
fuse democratic counsels and 20 play Ia the hands
OF protectonisin. Al Chicago the party was taken
By surprise because the work OF packing the plat
form committee had proceeded In darkness IL
was then only partially successful I hope that AZ
ST. Louis the rule OF r0rewarned Is forearmed' WIN
hold good, and that the present movement TO be-
tray tne party In the Interest OF protection viii
.How do you think the true and the false on this
question can be distinguished"
"WNen you hear a man talking about the re-
adoption OF the taiin plank OF 1874 set him down
at once as an enemy OF revenue reform. That
plank was adopted 0ter two days and nights ot
wranglng TO meet an emergency which the rev.
enue reforiners fully realized. They knew that
the nomination OF Blaine had changed the Issue
OF the campaign from one OF doctrine % one ol
character, and they entered the platform confnit-
tee prepared 10 make every needful sacrifice short
OF principle itself. They met there a body of
select men who had been ar,fully picked for A
single purpose and fed on profuse promises OF
one sort or another. That single purpose was
the construction OF tarin plank which they
could claim as victory for protection and a de-
feat for revenue reform; and with the aid OF Ben
Butler they dld compel the construction OF plank
which the country accepted a straddle. They
could ask nothing better at this time than the
adoption OF this straddle. But It's readoptiOn
would not only fiy In the race OF the PRESIDENTS
message and make the Withdrawal Of the Mills
bill a necessity, abandoning all the ground We
have gained the last four years, and particularly
the last six months. but IL would send every true
revenue reformer home sick at heart, delight the
republicans and disgust ali honest men. lt Il the
tricky devise OF a mere cOrporals guard. composed
OF men largely and personally Interested IN high
tarin taxes, who are making their last struggle TO
obstruct REFORM"
''wnat sort OF a tariff plank would you sug-
gest?n
81 have had no time TO consider the phrasing OF
a tarin plank and have put NO word on paper. hut
! am clear In my mind that We should stand
squarely by the President and our friends and
Representatives In Congress. IL IL too late 70 dis
own the one and 10 apologize for tile other"
"Would you indorse the Mills blll?"
'I he Mills bill is a simple measure, not yet per.
fected and liable 10 amendment. OF course q
document which rs TO lay down nghtlDg lines for
a campaign which Is To last nearly SIX months
could not take IL Tor n basis. But We should give
the principles OF the message ana the purpose OF
those ia Congress who have supported IL 20 ably
and so bravey ringing endorsements We should
leave nothing 20 conjecture. We should tOcrate
no straddies neither we like it not We shall
have 10 face the rIusc OF the Pfesi0ents + making,
and we ought to face o. like men uf sincerity and
honor, who not afraid OF their convictions and
have the courage TO maintain them"