New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-08
OHIO DEMOCRATS IN REVOLT.
ACTIVE WORKERS DISGUSTED WITH THE
-FREE-TRADE POLICY.
VIEWS OF GEORGE L. CONVERSE, a PROMINENT
DEMoCRAT-THE OHIO EX-CONGRbSsMAN
SAYS THE PRESIDENT ISN'T SIN
.-1rr,t, ms pr.TAIIA.

sibordination in the democratic party of ONO as
well as elsewhere Tho amateur leaders VINO nave
gained control OF the machinery and committed Inc
party TO free trade are having exceedingly di'ut
tins I'm kcepnc the rank and file IN line. Former
leaders foo in state and National aifars-men who
have always bcer found in the thick of tho political
battle-arc now standing aside so that The amateurs
may have fun swing in manipulating the party
machinery. Not few Of the most active workers
are disguised with the policy Of the party. and VIII
not make an effort save 81 in the PENDING conflict
George L. Converse Of Columbus. car be ca's'd
In this category. lie is widely known from the fact
that for three successive terms he represented The
capital district Of Ohio in Congress. Mr. Converse
made good record the hoor Of the House. at
tanned prominence i'm the councils Of tho National DC
mOcracy, and is regarded rs one Of me shr'""es'
politicians IN the county. lie a member OF inc
committee that drafted the tariff plank IN TIE Deno
cratic platform OF 1854, on which Grover Cleveland
was elected. Associated with him were A'ssiS'
Hewitt OF New York Butler OF Massachuscus' JAWS
of West Virginia. end Burke, Of Louisiana men as
now he was unaleiably opposed to the GeSuu'''fo
free trade policy OF his party. as enumerated ny "ioN'
Cleveland and emphasized in the st. LOUIS platform"
and he IS one OF the many influential leaders WHO
refuse 70 be driven from the position Of protection
10 American industries knowing that his views on
the political situation this time would be interest
Ing a representative OF The Tribune asked MI ION
verse what he thought Of the Presidents message on
the fishery question. asking Congress TO confer
greater power upon HIM 49,
alt IS my opinion replied Mr.. Converse. - that
the President already has ample power under OK
,stinr laws Congress some time since. when Mr.
Cleveland asked for appropriation To send pieh-
potentlary TO Great Britain TO open Negotiations on
the fisheries question. instead of granting the request
PASSED an act comforting power on the Chief Executive
to adopt realiaory measures. 1t was understood
that vessels from Canadian ports were to have the
game privileges in American waters as were given to
those clearing from ports in the United states IN
Canadian waters Since then Canadian vessels have
been allowed to pass through the sault Sic. Marie
and the St Clair Flats canals. provide by the 'h'el
States Government free Of charge. While all American
vessels passing through the rapids Of the ST. Lawrence
FLYER have been and are now. compelled TO pay
tribute 10 the Canadian Government for every pound
OF freight carried yet steps have been taken under
the recent Of Congress 10 secure the rights OIL The
American shipping interests"
"Thcn you do not think the President is sincere
in the matters
"No:I do not think he would use the power, nor
do believe he IS sincere in asking Tor addluonti
legislation
How do YOU regard the tariff issue in the Eastern
States
Al have always regarded Now-York, New-Jersey
and Connecticut as tariff states, and, If l am not
greatly mistaken, they VII so declare themselves IN
November. The manifold interests in those states
and the vast amount Of capital invested viii IN the
very nature Of things array those engaged in them
against any policy or party threatening 10 interfere
with them or their continued prosperity
on the issue OF free trade. then, YOU are not IN
harmony with your party -
"No the Democratic party made great mistahe-a
serious bundcr-ln declaring IFS principles Tho plat
form should have been identical with that Of 1851,
which declared for tariff not below point TO allow
Americans successfully 10 compete with foreign manu-
faciuers successfully I'm this sense meant great
deal. II meant that American industries. American
vaseworbers and manufacturers should not be put
on the defensive. but rather that they should all
things considered, have advantage over foreign
labor Without that declaration Of principles Grover
Cleveland would have been elected The protcc-
of the platform of 1-o4 gave MI Cleveland
a support that he would not have received other
wise Had the protective plank of the platform of
1851 been adopted by the ST. Louis Convention Mr..
Cleveland could have been elected but It is doubtful
now If he can bc7
What DO you think Of Humans chances Of carry
ing California;
1T hardly seems possible. California IS largo
wool growing The placing of wool the free
list as proposed by the Mills bill, would work serious
injury TO the Pacific Slope and strike California more
directly than any other state. The fruit growers Who
seriously aifecied That thcre IS strong protective
sentiment in California should not be questioned; IN
1855 California hal six Dcmocl ate congressman Each
representative voted for reduction OF The wool iatA
and each was candidate for reelection All were de-
ftdcu Win one cNftliip BdifltN IriNA. WHO pr
sOnaly visited his Constituents and acknowledged That
he had made mistake promising II returned 10 Con
Cress. that be would vote to restore The tariff lie was
IN a large Democratic district and pulled through IT,
returned 10 Washington faced his formor record. and
voted 10 restore the tariff. With Tho iruir and other
Industries threatened, you may he able 10 arrive
at conclusion a. 20 nc way California VIII vote.
In Ohio continued Mr.. Converse We have over
$4,000 hOckmaster owners Of sheep. During The
last year the number Of sheep has fallen of $4,000
California has not many hOchmastcrs for the reason
that the Ocks larger there. but they numerous
enough to EXERT powerful infuepce in tho coming
election. when the issue Is between protective tYriiI
and FREQ trade Tho farmers OF Ohio wel informed
people and viii not Willingly give way. and tale f.
Tor grant that the hochnastcrs I'm California are o.
wei posted and quito silly ucched the Buckeyes
VIII yOu take active part Pm tie can pa'gn -
II is not az an llhcly that vi, My views on the
question ~ protection ave we'll known. and f. VIII nor
IL expected OF ne by The present. managers az ihe
Democratic party that should take active part"