Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-17
CLEVELAND'S EVOLUTION
HIS PROGRESS FROM PROTECTION
PRINCIPLES TO FREE TRADE.

Promises Made In the First Year of HI
Administrator Broken in the LaSs
Cause of His Change of Heart.
In 1884 Joseph O'Connor, now editor ot
The Rochester IN ~ Post Express. wa,
stancb supporter of Cleveland for presi
dent. he had also supported him fol
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.
OConAor gives his reasons in FIVE column
article In The New York Sun. explaining
first that as be is not political aspirant
and had never asked or expected public
place az 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 a
complete failure and has ruthlessly broken
every promise he has ever made These
statements MIR O'Connor proves at iength
by strong but unimpassioned argument.
That part relating to Clevelands 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 it was thu 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
pitiable. In the inaugural address Mr..
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 workingr,en 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 ex4
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
deaf with the subject in such manner as
TO protect the interests of American labor,
which is the capital of our workingmen:
its stability and proper remuneration fur
nish the most justiiable pretext for a
protective policy"
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
fnI beyond the verge of caution. In the
second annual message, more space was
given to the subject but, although there
was marked progress il the direction of
traditional Democracy. it was discussed
with the same timidity, not to say eqcli-
Recommending revenue reduc-
ton, he threw out. to use the phrase of
another famous political sailor, IAN an
;hor 20 windward
THE relation of the workingman to the
revenue laws of the country and the
in, x-hinh ia
The question of wages, should not be for
gotten in the iustiiable prominence given
TO the proper maintenance of the supply
and protection of well paid labor. and
these considerations suggest such an G
'angement OF government revenues as
shall reduce the expense of living while
t does not curtal the opportunity for
work, nor reduce the compensation of
American labor and unfavorably affect its
condition and the dignifed place it holds
u the estimation of our people
The third annual message was devoted
altogether to tariff reform. and shaped
he issue for the canvass OF 1883.
It Is an elaborate and powerful
argument for revenue reduction on
rec trade lines and yet at intervals
me old terror of offending protected man
ltGcturers and laborers manifests itself
Az In various other papers by Mr. Cleve-
and. there are signs of q struggle between
we minds-a shifting from side to side,
ls if one man were trying to say some
hing bold and definite and another were
interfering with provisos and
For instance
Our progress toward wise conclusion
viii not be improved by dwelling on the
hemes Of protection and free trade This
'avors toe much of bandying eplthets It
S condition which confronts US. not
heory Relief from the condition may
Dyoive slight reduction in the advant
lge which we award our home produc-
ions but the entire withdrawal of such
advantages should not be contemplated
The question of free trade is absolutely
rrevelant, and the persistent claim made
Il certain quarters that all efforts to re-
ieve our people from unjust taxation are
schemes of the so called free traders. is
and far removed from any
consideration of the public good"
OF course this wavering affords to the
weaker brethren some comfort. ut is
, condition which confronts Us, not
heory. is taking phrase. which Demo
.rats without the courage of their con-
'ictions are fond of quoting; but it is a
merely rhetorical s-bterfuge The theory
les behind the condition. and Il makes all
he difference In the world whether the
rec trader or the protectionist cuts down
he revenue from import duties So vital
s the question of theory in the matter
hat the one might increase the revenue
~ reducing tariff rates. and the other .
educe it by increasing them If it were .
MY condition which confronts Us, the .
simplest and best remedy would be to re-
zeal the internal revenue laws.
The Independent press hailed the tn.
lual message of Dec 6, 1887. as new