Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-11-29
pRnsaDsNrs ranIFF arEssAaH.
A Washington Correspondeat VIII,
Thfnks He E6uOSvs All About a..

World says; The inside history of the
tariff reduction message sent 10 Congress
by the President last December has not
yet been written and ii is Of some interest.
Indeed, in view of tbs defeat of Mr..
Cleveland and of the opinion of large
number Of persons, right or wrong, that
the result was due to the tariff mes.
sage, 1t Is desirable that the people should
be informed Of all the circumstances con-
nected with that new departure of the
administration.
President Cleveland is the putative
father OF the child, but the real author of
its being Is Mr.. Manton Marble. For 20
years Mr.. Marble has been eager to force
tariff reform In politics as distinctive
issue. He devoted much rime to the task
of bringing the President round to his
views OF the political revolution, which
would sweep over the Western States II
the Democracy only bad the courage and
sense to make bold fight on the tariff
Issue; not through meaningless plank
in 3 convention platform, but through
aggressive action on the part Of the
President, who would unquestionably be
the candidate of the party for reelection
and would thus compel tho recognition
of the issue in the contest. Mr.. Mar BILE
pointed ont the position held on the
question by western newspapers and
western politicians, and quoted Tbs
World as favoring tariff revision and tax
reduction so earnestly as to urge special
session of Congress for the consideration
of that important policy.
Mr.. Cleveland was not entirely con-
WINGED by Mr.. Marbles arguments, but
was disposed to believe that they had
some strength and well deserved consid-
Grafton Mr. Marble found an effective
ally in Mr.. Henry Wattereon, who supple.
mented the appeal of his friend in his
own impulsive and impetuons manner.
Meanwhile members of the Cabinet were
approached and urged to favor the prop
osllion of Presidential message, stripped
bare OF all outside sdornments, and placed
before Congress and the country as o
naked tariff revision proposition from the
consideration of which neither party, nor
any individual Of either party, ouild ss-
cspe. In short time afterwards Mr..
Marble laid before the President his draft
OF message such as he advised. This
was the origin OF the much-discussed doc
uaent, which in the opinion of many
persons settled the Presidential contest.
As transmitted to Congress there were
some changes from Mr.. Marbles compo.
sition, but the main features vera pre-.
served add in some of the idiomatic ex-
pgessions the ex-editor's style can be
easily recognized.
While these discussions were going on
Secretary Whitney was iadlsposed and
absent from Washington. Oh his return
to the capital shortly before the assemb-
ling OF Congress he received letter from
the President, who expressed desire to
see him as soon as possible. Secretary
Whitney called at The White House, and
in a private interview Mr.. Cleveland sub
mitted to him the draft Of his proposed
message, which was then prepared. The
revelation was q surprise and shock to
| the secretary, whose keen perception and
accurate political Information at once
suggested 20 him that, however wise and
c1mmendaole the propositions advanced
might be in the abstTact, it was not the
right time TO cast them upon the country.
! he frankly expressed these yiags TO the
| President as tue first impression made on
| his mind by the message. Mr.. Cleveland
was evidently considerably surprised and
disappointed at the position taken by the
4 secretary. He told M. Whitney that the
message had already been discussed by
'Aa9r- elfifitt. Nit - Il 'fils YfJiii alAs
the irst hostile expressions La had heard
IN regard to il. Ee desitod that lhe sec
rotary would take little time to retiscI
on the matter and soc if be could not find
reasons to warrant change in the views
he then expressed
At this interview Mr.. Waitpey dis
\ aN1a ,,,k Ny.& -.
one important instance Id which the
alleged facts advanced were not correct
and the reasoning builtup on them was fat.
lacious and open 30 destructive criticism
1he President sas surprised ct the infer
nation and made u note of ii for irqniry
Mr.. Whitney was found TO be rigat nuC
the message was modified coriiu1ly
The ca6iaet was then Gail d together IN
special meeting, Mt whi,a the messag,
was again considered, Mr. Whitney ant
all the members being present, Tho dis
cussi1n which ensrei vas warm aud pro
longad. X il .ciion seemed only to hav
confirmed MIR Nhtney's view' Of tue in
expediency Of the policy, end when b
spoke he expressed his opposition in NJ
!; uncertain srms, He believed ii Wa
most injudisious to siye ths Repubioon
! IN issue such as they mot desired, IN,
which they had repeatedly tried to talsel
foroe ON the Democracy when tue
. we're searching an1iously, and up to tbs
time veinly, FOX war cry. He iusiste
; That the merits and justice OF the polio
{ recommended in tins message had par
ia the discussions thst he real point va
whether IL was ludicious 80 urge tb
policy CD the eve Of Pfeti ltutial eIel
ton, when there would not be tin.
enough at command of the party to con
Z bat prejudica, to ovarthrnw falss charge
3 ann to educate die minds nf The Wor. IL
s ps0pla up to an understanding Of thsi
t trua Interests. Mr.. Whitney Insisted tba
$ without this direct Issue in III approach
3 lag carr aHa the opposition you'd hav
j nothing 10 d. bud to make o f3ht hy g
9 tscks on the general policy and oharartt
D of ths administration ana on this thei
4 c9uld DO no question OF thsir dafeai
D The result would be the vEd cation c
: tbs standardization odd ia patriotism an
Integrity would become hsttr5c5l throne
b tbs tiao1ssiqns OF tile o.nve7s. Al
. Whitney urged the policy Of frst wi.
: n,ng tho battle and ti.en seeming th
, iOsGls and relief sought during the fou
. years Of the next isfne.
S the other n9mhhfs of tha cabinet 81
r posed Er. Whituey's position and urge
r the expeoienoy Of mes5sgs nj that tin,
l BIT it gao reserved for Ms. Villas toa5s
8 Mr. Whituey's views with force whic
] encrolched on the limits Of courtes,
1 The R3@ety orator from Wisconsin tllke
8 iitppaatly about the Objectionable cha
aeser o. coTagdlce in politics, and n
eusad his colleague OF want Of mani
ness in his temporiaipg and expectancy
policy. In his oalm reply NJ. Whitne
e remarked that he had never heard ia
:. prudence in planning campaign WINS
& mark Of coRardioe or rankIessness an
: brayalo Indications OF COURAGE. He hf