Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-09-10
Republican Blunders.

In former campaigns the Republican
organs professed to be very much
amused at the blunders of the Demo.
cratic party. Things have changed of
late. The mantle of error is yet worn,
but in the last campaign and the pres
ent, it has fallen upon the shoulders of
the Republicans, where it bids fair to
stay.
Previous to the nominations, the or
gans of the Republican party were not
slow in calling attention to the growing
surplus and predicting financial difficult
ties that would ensue. Then came the
Mills bill providing against increasing
surplus by judicious tariff reduction,
which step received the unanimous en-
dorsement of the Democratic platform.
The managers of the Republican party
dared not come before the people
without reference to a reduction Of
surplus, for the cry from their
constituents for relief was too
emphatic to go unheeded. Something
must be done to reduce the revenue, and
as it would never do to support plan
originating in rival party, they en-
deavored to fill the gap by suggestion
to put whisky on the free list. The re-
suit proved most egregious blunder, for
the Prohibitionists that otherwise would
have supported the party could hardly
stand such an utter, defiance to their
principles, and have deserted the ranks
by thousands.
Again, they blundered in the selection
Of candidate. Unable to agree, the
leaders were forced to finally give sup
port to a man who, however good his
personal characteristics, is comparative
ly unknown, and has an unfortunate rec
ord upon the Chinese question, of such
vital importance to the Pacific States.
The supporters of Mr.. Blaine have
wheeled into line on the generally
accepted belief that if the Republican
party wins he is to be made
Secretary of State, in which capacity it is
supposed he will be virtually the master
of the Administration, clear case OF the
tail wagging the dog, or the election ol
President by proxy.
Then the Fisheries treaty was dis.
cussed and agitated. The Administra.
ton were virtually charged as being in
league with England to break down and
destroy the interests OF the country; but
when President Cleveland called atten.
ton to the fact that the means of retalia'
ton was in our hands, then the Repub.
lican party again changed front. This
savored too much of twisting the tail OF
the British Lion, and Mr.. Blaine and the
Republican party claim the sole and ex-
elusive right to that privilege. On the
one hand the Senate must take some steps
in regard to the treaty or shoulder the
blame; on the other the retaliatory steps
made obligatory thereby must be en-
forced. Either move must be regarded
as an admission that the administration
is right in the course it has taken.
AS for the cry of protection and free
trade, and the attempt to force it as al
issue between the two parties, it hal
fallen fiat. The mass of readers at thu
present day are too sensible to be deludet
by any such clap-trap. 1t is eviden
that the revenues must be reduced il
some way. The Democratic party pro
poses to do this by putting on the fre'
list such material as can be here manufac
tured and afterward put in competition
with foreign markets. The Republican
party says make whisky free instead
1t is simple revenue reduction in eithel
case, nothing more nor less. No reduc.
ton could be made in any direction with
out affecting for time at least the
interest of some industry, but it is the
benefit to the largest number that mus
ever be consulted and not a chosen lew
1t would be hopeless to attemp
a record of all the blunder
that have been made thus fa
by the Republican party. Their prox.
leader Mr.. Harrison has shown readi
ness to talk that has alarmed his mana
gers to such an extent as to finally induc,
him to withdraw, for while at least, t.
an island hermitage to get him out o
reach Of "those dreadful reporters" bu
this state of affairs cannot last mucf
longer, and the bottling up process may
prove disastrous. Neither Statesman
nor politician, he is liable at any mo
ment to give vent to sentiments that
like the famous saying of DIR. Burchard
may involve the hopes OF his party ir
disaster and ruin.