The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-06-22
CLEYELAND'S EVOLUTION.
HIS PROGRESS FROM PROTECTION
PRINCIPLES TO FREE TRADE.
Tho Difference Between 1884 and 1883.
Promises Made In the First Year Of His
Administrations Isroi<en In the Last.
Cause OF His Change or Heart.

Promises Made I'm the First Year OF His
Administration broken In the Last.
Cause Of His Change OF Heart.
In 1884 Joseph O'Connor. now editor of
The Rochester IN. w. Post Express. was
q stanch supporter of Cleveland for presi.
dent. He had also supported him for
mayor of Buffalo and for governor of the
state of New York Now he Is out against
him as strongly as he was for him. Mr.
OConnor gives his reasons in i've column
article In The New York Sun. explaining
first that as he Is not political aspirant
and had never asked or expected a public
place as a reward for his political services,
his change Of sentiment cannot be at
tributed to soreheadism. Summed up, his
reasons are that Cleveland has proven
complete failure and has ruthlessly broken
every promise he has ever made These
statements Mr. OConnor proves at length
by strong but unimpassioned argument.
That part relating to Cleveland's tariff pre-
lenses and practices Is here given
The declaration of principles made by
the national Democratic convention of
1884 was very cautiously worded, in so
far as 1t dealt with the reform of the
tariff, as 1t was the opinion of politicians
generally that the brief demand for "a
tariff for revenue only" made in 1880. had
led to the defeat of the Democratic candi.
date OF that year, Gen Hancock. Mr.
Cleveland carefully avoided any allusion
TO the subject In his letter of acceptance;
and there was a great anxiety through
out the canvass to keep Democratic
speakers and editors from discussing it.
In some quarters. the tariff terror was
ria oh ~
Cleveland merely mentioned the tariff,
demanding that our system of revenue
shall be so adjusted as to relieve the peo
pie from unnecessary taxation, having a
due regard to the interests of capital in
vested and workingmen employed in
American industries. and preventing the
accumulation of a surplus In the treasury
to tempt extravaganza and waste.
The stanchest protectionist could not
quarrel with this statement In his first
message Mr.. Cleveland said of revenue re.
duction
1.-The proposition with which we have
to deal Is the reduction of the revenue re-
ceived by the government and indirectly
paid by the people from customs duties.
The question of free trade is not involved,
nor Is there now any occasion for the
general discussion Of the wisdom or ex-
pediency of protective system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws re-
lating to revenue the industries and in
terests which have been encouraged by
such laws. and In which our citizens have
large investments. should not be ruthlessly
injured or destroyed We should also
deal with the subject in such manner as
to protect the interests of American labor.
trh to s<oI ~ :;
its stability and proper remuneration fur
nish the most justifable pretext for a
protective policy" 49,"
A brief statement that there should be
some reduction on import duties within
these limitations. and that the reduction
should be on the necessaries OF life. fol-
lowed. Evidently. from the admission
that protective system keeps up wages,
and that without 1t certain great indus
tries and interests would be DESTROYED,
the political evolution of the president
was preceding very slowly. He was care
full beyond the verge Of caution In the
second annual message, more space was
given to the subject. but, although there
was marked progress In the direction of
traditional Democracy. 1t was discussed
with the same timidity. not to say equi-
vocation Recommending revenue reduc.
ton. he threw out. to use the phrase Of
another famous political tailor. IAN an
Choir to windward.
''The relation of the workingman to the
revenue laws Of the country. and the
manner. In which 1t palpably influences
the question of wages, should not be for
gotten In the justifable prominence given
to the proper maintenance of the supply
and protection of well paid labor. and
fbooo CON Of ., lone a., <roraot ,,,.h
rangement of government revenues as
shall reduce the expense of living while
IL does not curtail the opportunity for
work. nor reduce the compensation of
American labor and unfavorably affect it's
condition and the dignifed place it holds
In the estimation of our people"
The third annual message was devoted
altogether To. tariff reform. and shaped
the Issue for the canvass of 1888
1t Is an elaborate and powerful
argument for revenue reduction on
free trade lines; and yet at intervals
the old terror of offending protected man
nfacturers and laborcrs manifcsts ITSELF
As In various other papers by Mr. Cleve-
land, there are signs of struggle between
two minds--a shifting from side to side.
ns IL one man were trying to say some
thing bold and definite. and another were
constantly Interfering with provisos and
notifications For instances:
Our progress toward a wise conclusion
will not be improved by dwelling on the
themes of protection and free trade. This
savors too much of bandying epithets. 1t
is condition which confronts us. not a
theory. Relief from the condition may
Involve aslight reduction In the advant-
age which we award our home produc-
tions. but the entire withdrawal of such
advantages should not be contemplated.
The question Of free trade Is absolutely
irrevelant, and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters that all efforts to re-
lieve our people from unjust taxation are
schemes of the SO called free traders, is
mischievous and far removed from any
consideration of the public good"
OF course this wavering affords to the
weaker brethren some comfort 1T Is
q condition which confronts us. not o
theory" Is taking phrase. which Demo
Gratis without the courage Of their con-
victions are fond Of quoting; but IL is o
merely rhetorical subterfuge. The theory
lies behind the condition, and 1t makes all
the difference In the world whether the
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