New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-31
UNITED STATES.

The most impressive event of the year is the
political revolution wrought by the suffragcs of
nearly eleven millions of cit lcns in America Presi
dent Cleveland personally responsible for
his own defeat. He never owed himself to be
Free Trader, but as his English admirers in
cautiously admitted, his message was redoent Of
Cobdenism, and portions of it read like extracts
from Mr. Brights earliest speeches. 1t was
challenge to the Republican party which had
built the industries Of the country upon the rock
of protection. 1t was warning that the Demo-
cratic party if il were suffered TO remain in power
would pull down those industries and seek to
rebuild them the shifting sands of free trade
The people assembled in National parliament, af-
ter debating economic questions for ten months,
rejected the Presidents proposals and restored
the Republican party to power
The Presidents new issue had the field and
blocked all legislation, although Congress re-
manned in session until October 20. 1t was not
until March l, and only after two months Of
secret conference, in which their Republican col
leagues had no share that the seven Democratic
members OF the Committee of Ways and Means
brought to light the Mills bill. On April II was
reported 10 the House and debated for several
weeks the speakers on the Democratic side with
few exceptions making no attempt to conceal their
sympathy with free trade. The Sugar Trust was
consulted by the leaders and the Whisl1, Trust
played great part in the conspiracy against
American industry repeal of the internal revenue
laws being fatal to It's interests. A series OF
amendments adopted in secret caucus were the
only changes ordered by the House, and these
were largely the result of bargains. Mr.. Randall
spoke against the bill, but Democratic opposition
was broken down by the patronage and powerful
influence of the Administration. The bill passed
the House July 81 Ivy party division of 60 10
l49, only three Republicans voting for it and
four Democrats against il. From the South and
Southwest there were 80 votes for and against
it, from the West and Northwest A. for and 6o
against it, from the Middle States and New-EnG-
land, 81 for and 63 against it; from the Pacific
States, for and 6 against IT.
During this protracted period the Senate had
been sending measures by the score to be buried
by the committees of the lower house. Among
these were the Blair Education, Dependent Pen
sion international Copyright, and Dakota bills.
Very little legislation of importance was enacted
apart from the appropriation blIS, which hcaVlly
reduced the surplus revenues The House, when
il WAS NOT discussing the tariff was frittering
avav time in a weeks deadlock over the bill for
refunding the direct tax of 1861, or IN equally
wasteful methods. The Senate. after receiving the
Mills bill, occupied the remainder of the session
in the preparation of q substitute Tor IL. Inc
additions to the statutes were exceedingly meagre
CONFUSING a Dill lUONluuE iOI 'hN luAN"'SN VI
United States bonds and authorizing the Secretary
of the Treasury TO apply surplus revenues Tor that
purpose; Labor Arbitration Act. tentative
Fortifcations and Armaments BILL and another
for the increase of the Navy amendments TO the
Interstate and Presidential Count Acts; and other
measures of minor Importance. The reports OF the
Pacific Railway Commission presented to Congress
with an Executive Message deprecating any ar
rangement for placing the roads in the possession
of tine Government involved no legislation.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS
Meantime the President was in the field for
denomination without rival anywhere in sight.
He had strengthened his influence in the South
by promoting Secretary Lamar to the Supreme
bench. the Senate confirming the nomination by a
vote of 80 to %, three Republicans siding with
the Democrats. This was the first Time that body
had ever been divided on party lines on
question of confirming an appointment for that
court Subsequently Melville w. Fuller was nom
mated and confirmed Chief Justice The Cabl |
net was reorganized by the transfer of Mr. Villas
to the Department of the Interior |
and the appOin, ment OF Don NJ. DICK |
inson. an experienced politician, Post |
master-General Civil Service Reform went beg |
cing and a general clearance was made of the |
patronage remaining at the disposal of the Presi-
dent. The condition that confronts u.s. and
the tariff is tax were the new conjurlng
phrases Tue Democratic House had Loyalty sup
ported the Presidents policy and embodied his
crude economic theories in the Mills bill. The
party was equally submissive when IT
met in June at st. Louis. In Its
platform it accepted his message as the correct
of the tariff juggle adopted
bv il IN 1884, and renominated him by acclama-
ton. He had already selected Judge Thurman
as his associate on the ticket, disa ppointing the
ambition of Governor Gray, of Indiana. When
his Will was registered by the Convention, the
REDEEM ptjon of the country from the evils OF
excessive taxation was proclaimed as the glorious
mission of the Man of Destiny ana tle Nopie
Old Roman Judge Humans services had only
received recognition from the Administration
,,hen H. WAS necessary 10 secure lawyer Of
nhlemisbed reputation for the purpose of dignity
inc the scandalous telephone suits Instituted by
Tho Denartment of Justice, described by Mr.
Randall as the Sink Of Injustice The Unlicd
States Supreme Court had rendered In March
a decision covering all issues OF law ana iacC
and confirming the Bell patents Judge thurman
,fter his nomination appeared Tor the Govern
,,ent and the telephone spectators. and secured
the uiyilege of reopening the case III bosooh-
The Republicans had a cause that was stronger
n -, ,r candidate but the desire for the re-
Of Mr. Blaine irresistible. lie
,ad written n letter in FEBRUARY from Florence {
.o,using ,o have his name presented TO the Con-
,ertion lint delegates known TO favor MS ntnlhh-
ion werr eIec1ad everywhere POSITIVE
lecjination from General Sheridan removed an
valuable candidate and the choice OF Mr Blame J
yas generally conceded as inevitable when
econd and more emphatic refusal to accept the
animation was conveyed in letter TO Mr..
,ed. The Convention met in June at Chicago ,
nth dozen favorjte sons scrambling for the c
summation. For several days there was ballot