New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-23
At THEIR VINE.

The "Reform" wine and tcrrapin went wcll'
no doubt. Mr. Stokes was good enough 10 put
on record his belief that the tariff was the con-
trolling issue for the coming Presidential cleo
ton, which good many people VIII be Vociler-
ously denying next October. MIR. Breckenridge
of Arkansas, thinks he knows more about inc
industries of the great manufacturing STATES
than the manufacturers themselves who pro-
test with great unanmty against the theories
he advocates. Then Mr. Watterson allows his
rhetoric to boil over, rejoicing that the Prcsl-
dent had put stop to " cowardly vacillation"
other persons might have called it dishonest
trickcry We shall see whether the same dis
honest pretcncc that the Democratic candiuaue
IS for protection in Ncw-Jersey and Tor 1ree
trade in Kentucky will not break ont as an
epidemic again when hot weather comes. Mr.
Hartcr was introduced as cone OF the largest
manufacturers in Ohio" being producer OF
agricultural implements. This IS ike MI
SchOcnbofs claim before the Iarih COMMITS
SION that he was woolen manufacturer "hch
il turncd out that he had once made corsets'
Ex-Mayor Grace explained " administrative re-
form" but had previously shown what no
meant nv the term when Democratic Mayor OIL
q CITY not absolutely free from corruption
These gentlemen would be entitled to more
sor;ous attention but for one fact which they
know and everybody else knows Inc Sole
object Of this demonstration, ana OF other
similar demonstrations now occurring III
various cities, is TO perform an impossible leaC
to hoist the Democratic party TO such height
of courage that it shall dare to have an avowed
conviction But In that light 1t must be
doubted whether the meeting was much oil
success. The assembled refOrmers hardly lift
Congress to any height of devotion to prn-
ciple. because they fail to manifest such de-
cotton themselves They are particularly
careful to portray the reform they want as II
it were only an improved kind OF pro'cct'oh'
They are careful not to commit themselves to
definite principles in revision or framing OF inc
tariff. and prudcntly leave open 50 wide door
of retreat that they could all shout Tor announcer
of Mr. Morrison's horizontal reduction DIS
with not even a prctcncc OF eliminating pro-
tective principles from the tariff. 1hey take
particular pains to avoid embarrassing party
which wants to carry New-Jerscy for pro-
lection and Kentucky for free trade the same
year.
The "Rcformers'' are conscious that tho
Democratic majority in the House is at this
very hour cropping about in the dark passages
under the Capitol in search OF some new tricK
Of words on which Mr. Carlisle and MIR. Kan
dau can agree. That is the height of ITS
craftsmanship Mr.. Randall knows that 1t
vould be suicide for him and for his party to
agree to any measure consistent with free
trade theories The so-called "Rcformers" at
Washington know that Mr.. Randall knows
this The fact that they are laborlng TO TX
ND some compromise with him, through which
he can be juggled into surrcndering some OF
the practical benefits Of protection. while still
claiming, as he did in 1891, that his party
could be absolutely trusted to protect. tells inc
whole story Both wings arc attempting to
cheat each other and the people. Even the
"tarif reformcrs" over their terrapin have not
the courage TO make a square and manly issue
AGAINST the vitalizng principle upon which
Republican tariffs have been framed-thc prln-
cple that Protection of Home Industry dement's
the whole Nation.