The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-06

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ST. LOUIS June S-To-nieht the only feature
Of genuine interest Is the deliberations Of the
COMMITTEES on resolutions More real political
effort has been put forth on the composition OF
this committe than for the vice-presidsney It.
self, or. indeed, any other work before the con-
vention. Monday morning Senator German and
Congressman Scott had reached an understand
ing concerning the tariff plank. They had
arranged to reafirm the tariff clause Of 1884 and
70 add moderate Endorsement Of the Presidents
tariff message, With long paragraph explanatory
OF the Democratic party's position on the tariff
Scots had also consented to let German have
the honor Of the craftsmanship OF the platform
committee. Congressman Scott yieldsd to this
compromise in behalf Of harmony and through
q desire to bring all disaffectsd elements Of the
party into full sympathy with the sdministra-
ton. But to-day the truce was declared Of.
German, Barnun, and their high-tarin sym
pathizsrs were more active in visiting the 10.
fueatial men Of the various delegations than
was relished by Scott There were signs that
the high-tarif men were preparing to steal .
march the other wing of the party. Scott
vas particularly incensed at the selection
Of ex-Mayor Cooper. strong pro-
on the committee. From the other side Scott
was subjected to great pressure, Commissioner
Morrison and Henry Watterson calling on him
and insisting that no compromise. however small
the concession involved, should be made. The
agreement between Scott and German was
finally declared OF. and Watterson, who had
besn candidate for the permanent chairman
ship, Was put forward as the candidate of the
tariff reform people for chairman OF the plat
form committee. He was opposed BY Senator
Norman. bat the committee chose Watterson by
the close vote of % to 20. A change Of one vote
would have given the victory to the opponents
Of the administration policy.
Nah 1xxs - h1a< co iva kinO
~ to throw the convention into . struggle over
the viee-presidency. Governor Grays friends
have all along had two grounds OF hope. that
they might eventually win One Of these was
the attitude Of the Ohio delegation, and it Is .
singular fact that the movement to bring the
old Roman from his retirement came
near being strangled in his own State.
It il claimed that . majority of the Ohio
day and are accepting him only because the
country 10 fairly forcing him upon them. Ohio
was brought overt to the Thurman standard,
however. Monday night, and to-day the delega-
ton: having perceived that the nomination was
sstronger and more satisfactory than the one OF
Monday night. The Gray men also had some
hopes that by making a courageous stand they
could hold in line the friends Of all the other
candidates, thus preventing Thurman
getting two-thirds on the first ballot;
but the unit rule has been adopted by the Thur
man majority in six or eight Of the States. nota-
bly, Michigan. New York. Pennsylvania and
Tennessee, thus forcing the minority to help
swell the votes for the favorite, and practically
destroying the last hope of the supporters Of
Governor Gray. There have been rumors Of
ordinations 80 bring Carlisle or Dickinson into
the contest but the friends Of both deny that
any effort 10 being made In their behalf. Senator
Voorhees, says the question whether Grays
name shall be placed In nomination Ii 70 be de-
cided tomorrow morning.
Though there was some bad feeling be-
49, Cooo and
man when it came to . vote on the chairman
ship the bargain was adhered to, Scott throwing
his strength to German for chairman. Not
withstsndinR the great strength Of this combi-
nation it lacked one vote Of . majority. and the
extreme tariff rsformers won . victory on the
organization Of the committee.
A telegram has been received from Congress
man Breckinridge. of Kentucky. declaring that
tion it will fail in the House, and the oonven-
ton viii have to take the responsibility.
Basis of the Controversy.
epecfal to the Indianapolis Journal
ST.. Louis, June Sin orderto clearly under
stand the nature Of the controversy which at
present exists in the committee on resolutions
. reporter tonight canvassed the members Of
the committee and the situation, as explained
by them, is about as follows: Mr. Wattersop
his friends say, wants to have the tariff plank Of
1876. something like it. adopted; something
that does not read both ways, not free trade on
one Interpretation, and protection, pure and
simple. another interpretation He wants
something that the people can understand and
know what it means. That is what he wants
and Is going TO fight for.
Mr.. Germans friends say that he wants q
plank In the platform something like the
Chicago platform of 1884. on which he can make
the fight to carry New York. New jersey and
Connecticut, and abandon Indiana and nomi-
nate Thurman. knowing that be will be strong
In those States with . platform peculiarly adapt
cd TO the industries of those three States
Mr. Watterson appears to think that IL the
party goes West with a square tariff for revenue
plank they can get more States West than they
can get East the other plan. He claims that
the Democrats can get States in the West on his
idea In explaining the difference between the
plank of 1876. which he wants revived, and that
OF 1884, the readoption Of which he opposes, Mr..
Watterson says the former is emphatic, straight
forward tariff for revenue, while the latter is
evasive. indefinite and unmeaning. His inter-
view on the subject. published to-day, represents
his views accurately.
Hot Fight Probable.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
) ST. LOUIS. June 5.-The prospects are good
for pretty hot fight in the convention to-mor-
row the tariff question and If it ia precipi-
tated it viii probably occupy the greater part Of
the day. In this event the nominations may,
after all, be carried over until Thursday. AL
though the committee on resolutions IL still in
session ut q late hour and has given free hear
ing 70 everyone seeking audience, it is
about definitely determined that the radical
revenue reform element Is in the minority.
) and that the tariff plank will be modelled after
that adopted by the convention Of 1884. This
the revenue rsformers will not swallow with
good grace, and 1t is stated upon authority that
II. w. Lehman. of Iowa, will submit a mi
nority report indorsing and supporting the
Presidents views In the most outspoken and
emphatic terms. The Iowan. 80 one of his friends
puts it. has personal purpose to
one great opportunity of his life aud that il be
can carry the convention with him, and he be-
lieves land so do many othersl that he can, ID
will improve his standing. however high it nay
tbe now, In the Democratic party not only Of his
State, but of the country. He 10 being encour
aged in his course by many who be-
love that the Presidents policy is
entitled to the highest and most thorough In
dorsement that national Democratic convention
can give it. and that there should be no beating
about the bush in the matter. Senator German
said: "The prospects good for all-nieh,
meeting OF the subcommittee No three men
on it are agreed upon the terms in which the
tariff plank should be couchad, and the pros
poets for Q satisfactory solution Of the trouble
are not encouraging