The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-02-04
REPUBLICAN SUPPORT OF DEM
0ORATIO REFORM POLICY.

From the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, I
The meeting of the reform club on
Saturday evening and the pressure of
men OF convictions to have a part in
the new organizations work, give ad-
dltlonal proof OF the enthusiasm with
which the people OF the country have
recognized the presidents courage and
wisdom i'll advocating well.defined
polcy at a time when shirkiug and
skulking were the fashion.
The American people like courage
Tor one thing, and the enthusiastic sup
port given to the president in this mat
ter Is in some part undoubtedly due to
their admiration tor his daring and
maniiness In facing an issue which all
the political leaders were shirking.
They are tired and disgusted with the
coWardIce and iusincerity which have
controlled both parties for some wears,
aud their enthusiasm is very deeply
stirred In behalf of the one prominent
public man who has had the courage to
do his duty, and who, having convic-
tons, has dared express them in manly
fashion.
But beyond that the presidents $
recommendations are so manifestlv SEN
sible and just, and the necessity for
acting upon them is 80 obviously press
ing, that very general desire is felt To
have them carried out in practice, and
this desire grows steadily stronger
throughout the country. The organi-
zation of the reform club, designed To
aid in securing the carrying out OF the
presidents policy, is but one of many
indications OF popular sympathy with
the presidents plan.
The case closely resembles those of
Jefferson and Jackson. Each OF those
presidents had the courage to express
positive opinions and to adopt an az
gressive policy at time when, in the
opinion OF the shiity politicians of both
sides. 1t was thought to be political
suicide TO do SO, and the people re-
warded the courage of each with such
support rs swept away the dsienses of
opposition. When MIR. Cleveland sdopt-
ed Il like course, his friends in the dem.
ocratic party were appalled,; his ene-
mics in the democratic party chuckled
in the conviction that he had put him
self out of their way as q possible can
didate for re- election; and certain lead
ers OF the republican party were filled
with glee ut the thought that this plain
man of the people, in his stupid igno-
rance of politics had made blunder
fatal alike to himself and his party, in
thus openly advocating we'll defined
policy. Ii must offend powerful inter-
ests, they said, and involve the loss of
many vOtes.
That 1t has offended certain interests
there can be no doubt. Every oddled
monopoly in the country is displeased
and frightened. But the greater masses
OF the people are more than pleased. |
Their Intelligence cOmmends and sup
ports the simple and sensible PROPOSE
tions of the president that, having
more revenue than we know what to |
do with, it is time to remove some OIL
the peoples burdens by reducing taxa
tiOn, and that III reducing taxation we |
should remove or reduce those taxes
which bear most heavily upon all the |
people, rather than those which do not
affect the majority or hurt any worthy |
Interest. They want taxation reduced, !
and they are not willing to have it re-
duced by taking the taxes oil whisky
and tobacco, while leaving untouched J
those upon clothing, blankets, salt,
sugar, tools, irOnware and the raw
OF manufacture.
1t must now be plain to the prcsi-
dents friends in his own party that his
courage has made him stronger aud not
il must be obvious to his
enemies in his own party that he has
not blundered; and it must be clear To
his political opponents that the repub-
lican party cannot afford to appeal to
he people on platform OF free whisky,
and tobacco aud heavily taxed ucressi-
lies, as some of the republican leaders
At first thought it wise to do.
There is very little reason to hope
hat congress ut its present session will
adopt the legislation necessary 10 settle
his question of revenue and surplus.
The democrats In congress are much
90 abiectly cowardly for that, and the
'epublicans in the senate are withou!
eader capable Of confronting sur!i
situation with courage aud wisdom,
The question must 60 to the people aud
heir decision will be recorded IN next
congressional elections. Mean
lme their sentiments and opinions are
in a variety of ways, all
ending to show that on this point the [
,reat majority OF the people, whether
democrats or republicans, ARE enthusias.
ically in sympathy with the views ex
PRESSED III the presidents message.
they want the taxes on the necessarics
If life reduced. They want the need {
essly and dangerously Large revenues t
ut down, and these things they are t
disposed to insist upon in spite of the
politicians and in uisrayarl Of thn cnn |
equences 10 political parties. They are |
lot to be deceived by cries of "free {
rade.' They clearly understand tina,
he question of free trade and protec. !
ion is not at issue. They see the matter s
o be perfectly simple. They know 7
hat the only thing to be decided is C
whether, in the necessary reduction of q
whisky or necessaries shall
e relieved, and on that question the,
ave their minds made up.