The Portland daily press., 1888-11-13

Having found out who killed Cock Robin.
New York paper has undertaken to find
out why he was taken off so summarily, and
to that end has addressed inquiries to prom
inent men in all parts of the country Sew
eral different causes are mentioned, the
tariff discussions being considered the main
one. Some of the answers are long and some
very short. Senator Edmunds, of Vermont,
for Instance, tersely says that 'poor princi-
Piles and bad practices caused Cleveland's
overthrow; while Senator Aldrich of Rhode
Island says "his last annual message did it.
Congressman Breckenridge of Arkansas lays
it to ''the extraordinary efforts put forth by
the Republicans" rather than to any particu-
lar Democratic mistakes. Governor-eleet
Alvin p. Hoyey, OF Indiana, thinks it was
the injustice done by him and his admins
tration to the ex soldiers of the United
States and is of the opinion that the tariff
question did not make great changes either
way ia Indiana. Congressman Charles A,
Boutelle, Of our own State. finds three i'm
portant causes of Cleveland's overthrow
''the popular revolt against the political
usurpation Of the Solid South, which has
assumed the shape of desperate assault
upon the business interests of the country.
thereby bringing forward the tariff issue
which was turned to the advantage of the
Republicans by ''the promptness and power
with which Mr.. Blaine, in lis interview,
caught up the gage of battles" "the high
character and proved abilities of Harrison
and Morton with their dignified and timely
utterances during the campaign" and final
ly "the adoption of the temperance plank by
the national convention" Senator Cnllom
thinks the tariff issue and Mr.. Ceveland's
treatment of Union soldiers and partiality to
former rebels compassed his defeat. Gov
ernor-elect Bulkeley Of Connecticut gives the
whole credit to the tariff issue. William ID.
Kelley, of Pennsylvania, thinks Cleveland's
hostility to the protective system and his
devotion TO internal taxes" did more than all
other causes to make the Republicans happy.
Deacon and Congressman 5. V. White, of
Brooklyn, lays 1t to the tariff issue and to
Cleveland's personal unpopularity. Free
trade and the soldier vote killed Cock Robin
In the opinion of Charlss Emory Smith,
editor OF the Philadelphia Press Senator
Blair, of New Hampshire, thinks Cleveland
suffered because he liked free trade too well
and the old soldiers and the Blair education
al bill not enough. Senator Frank Hiscock
OF New York, lays it to the tariff issue.
Congressman "Sunset" Cox also LAYS it to
the tariff issue, but seems to think the result
would have been different had more time
been allowed for educating the people. Will
liam Walter Phelps Of New Jersey SAYS
theie We're too many Southern free trade
orators on the stump. and that Cleveland
was personally too unpopular to succeed.
Finally, George William Curtis says the re-
suit is due "chiefy to the presentation of a
single issue, which the Presidents party
accepted but did not desire, which was new
aud unexpected to the country" and second
arily to the Presidents administration
reform course, to trading of votes and to the
lack of personal popularity" 1t will be
seen that there are many different opinions
as to why Cock Robin was killed; but after
all It matters little SO long as he is really
dead