The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1888-08-16
One OF the CurlOsities Of American
Politics,


ical predicament, and that heroic
measures are necessary fit is to be
saved, not from defeat merely, but
from destruction.
1t makes much OF the word "protec-
tion," but the work covers u counter
felt and swindle. In the last analy-
sis we find that it protects classes but
not the masses, and under a govern
ment by the people that is sure to be
fatal in the end,
The leaders of the party in the Sen
ate are in pitiable plight. They
hardly dare to adjourn until they have
expressed somedecisive opinion of the
tariff question, and the rub is just
there. II they introduce substitute
for the Mills bill, and SO keep their
pledge to lower the high taxes, they
thereby acknowledge that the demo-
Gratis are right in principle and have
been shrewd enough to get ahead of
them in inaugurating needed re-
form. On the other hand, if they
tackle the internal revenue they must
follow the cue of the Chicago Conven-
ton and suggest free whisky, which
will set the whole country laughing at
them.
So they are in just the kind of guam
dairy in which a silly fellow found
himself during,the late war. Hesome-
how got between the two forces
didn't dare to go ahead for fear OF be.
ing shot by the Oonfederates, nor to
stand still for fear both OF them would
take whack at him just to get him
out OF the way.
The situation is worth looking at
critically. The republican doctors
held consultation in 1884. and in
their platform declared that a surplus
is disease cancerous in character
dangerous to the health Of the patient
and if not removed perilous to his life
1t is the part Of patronism, they said
to cut out the dangerous growth and
by skiliul medieament prevent its re
currence. The people accepted thii
sensible and wise diagnosis and urget
an immediate application Of the knife
The democrats doctors also conven
ed examined the case carefully an(
reached precisely the same conclusion
There was unanimity for once. II
their pronunciamento you will fine
, that they substantially agree with the
! republican doctors both as to the ma
, ture OF the disease and as to the i'm
y perative duty to take it in hand and a
once operate.
No matter why just now, but In tha
4 year 1884 the democratic doctors wer
appointed by popular vote to tax
charge Of the sufferer and restore hin
to his health if possible. They wen
q to work. Mills, OF Texas, and his CON
q mites presented detailed plan OF &C
O tion. This, tbet and the other thing
n we're to be done in this, that Gnd tn
1 other way. With free wool and othe
q raw materials, the duty on lumber an
/. other necssssries OF liie removed
q decreased the patient could have
y house to live in, good woolen shir
mot shoddy, and cheaper groOeFie
,Ee could have steady work, fair wage
n, nsperons home and happy an
> and coptented family.
What II the result? Why, the r
publican doctors are having prett
. howdy arling, growing, sna
ping. Some of them have gone SO fl
= as to say that the patient has no ca
cer-there is no surplus-that he
y simply suffering from general debili
and will come out all right if liberal
j.. supplied with free tobacco and fr
corn juice.
=. Others-a later development-ha
N made a very odd proposal-one whi'
20 discredits their understanding and il
,o peaches their patriotism. The safe
Il policy, say many ot the Senators, is
20 stand by the democratic doctors, fl
n. fault with everything they do, right
"a wrong, prevent them from oPerati
on the disease and let the patient tn
n his chances. Ifhe dies then, they c
pa claim that if he had been given il
n their charge they would have broug
ad him round all right.
Senator Allison, however, cr
shame on such policy. He has Il
them plainly that the American p
or. pie have common sense and wo
ere stand that kind OF dog in the m,
nte ger nonsense; that if they have
ma some definite plan to offer they AL
the party without purpose, without
lth idea, and will be driven into peri
I'D nent retirement. He is right. tn
as are two courses to choose from-to k
e of abreast Of the hour, or to get ont of
ood way.
fur II the republican party. theref
'ere has the moral courage to ignore
and free whiskey platform of 1888
to stand on the tariff reform Of Il
W a.. :.1 1,.o.., =, 60. :, H. =