New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-15
JUDGE THURMAN'S LETTER.
THOUGH BRIEF, FAR FROM CONCLUSIVE.
THE FIRST DRAFT MADE IN THE OLD ROMANS
OWN HANDwRITING-A FEEBLE ECHO
OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


OF IhE fhESlDENIo MEoohoI
AND LETTER
Columbus Oct. 14-Judge Thurman's letter Of
| acceptance was given to the press this evening.
The first draft Of the letter was in the Judges
handwriting and the typewriter copies showed
only few changes in punctuation from the
original The letter is as follows:
Columbus, Oct. 10, 1888.
Hon. Patrick A. Collins and Others, Committee.
Gentlemen In obedience TO custom, send You this
formal acceptance Of my nomination for the once OF
Vice President Of the United staes made by the
National Convention of the Democratic party at ST.
Louis
When you did the honor TO call upon me at
Columbus and officially notify me of my nomination,
expressed to you my of obligation to the con-
venon and stated that although had not sought the
nomination, did not feel at liberty, under the cir
cumst ances, to decline II. / thought then, as still
think that whatever could properly do to promote
the selection Of President Cleveland ought to do
His Administration has been marked by such In
tegrlty good sense, manly courage and exalted pat
rotism, that Just appreciation Of these high quail
ties seems call for his election. am also strongly
impressed the belief that his reelection would
powerfully strengthen that feeling of fraternity
among the American people that so essential to their
welfare peace and happiness, and to the perpetuy OF
the Union and OF our free institutions.
/ approve the platform Of the ST. Louis Convention
and cannot strongly express my dissent from the
heretcal teachings of the mOnoposts that the welfare
of people can be promoted by system OF exorbant
taxation far in Of the wants of the Government
The lea that people can be enriched by heavy ana
unnecessary taxation, that mans condition can be
improved by taxing him on all he wears, on all bis
wife and children wear, on all his tools and I'M
plements Of industry. is obvious absudity
To fill the vaults of the Treasury with an idle sur
plus for which the Government has no legitimate use,
and to thereby deprive the people of currency needed
for their business and daily wants, and TO create
powerful and dangerous stimulus to extravaganza and
corruption in the expenditures Of the Government,
seems to me to be policy at variance with every
sound principle Of government and of political
economy.
The necessity Of reducing taxation to prevent such
an accumulation of surplus revenue and the con-
sequent depletion OF the circulating medium, is so
apparent that party dares TO deny 1t but when We
como TO consider the modes by which the reduction
may be made, find wide antagonism between
party and the monoposc leaders Of our political
opponents. We seek TO reduce taxes upon the neces
saries of life; opponents seek to Increase them
We say give TO the masses Of the people cheap and
good clothing, cheap blankets cheap tools and cheap
lumber The Republicans by their platform and their
leaders in the senate, by their proposed BILL say,
increase the taxes clothing and blankets and there
by increase their cost, maintain high duty on the
tools Of the and mechanic and upon the lumber
which they need for the construction of their modest
dwellings, shops ana barns, ana thcrcDy prevent
their obtaining these nscessacs at reasonable prices
Can any sensible doubt ss to where he should
stand In this controversy Can any wcllinformed
man be deceived by the false prctencc that system
SO unreasonable and unjust for the benefit Of labor
ing men,
Much is said about competition OF American
laborers with the pauper labor Of Europe, but does
not every who looks around him see and know
that an immense majority Of the laborers in America
not engaged In what called the protected In
dustides1 And to those who arc employed In such
industries, is It not undeniable that the duties
posed By the Democratic measure called the Mills
bill far exceed the difference between American and
European wages, and that therefore, If 1t were ad
mitted that worldigmen be protected by tariffs
against cheaper labor, they would be fully protected,
and moro than protected, by that billf Does not
every wcll-informed know that the increase in
price Of homo manufactures produced by high tariff
does go into the pockets of laborng men, but only
tends 10 swell the profits Of others
seems TO that, if the policy Of the Democratic
party is plainly presented all must understand that
seek to make the cost of living less, and at the
same time increase the share Of the laborng in
the benefits Of National prosperity and growth /
very respectfully, your obedient servant.
ALLEN g, THURMAN.