Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-07

ness of pledges made to the people.
DEMOCRATS: We propose that the
American people shall eeass paying $50
for SO wooden suit.
Republican Platform: We propose that the
American people shall cease paying ~ for ~
cent gallon Of whisky.
THE QUESTION OF THE ELECTION.
That able periodical, HdPer's Weekly,
thus defines the question of the election:
The change in the present significance
Of parties 10 illustrated in many ways, but
nothing would more astoDish an old Re
publican like LINCOLN or SEWARD or
SUMNER than to be told that in 1888 a
man is not Republican who would not
repsll the internal tax upon whisky rather
than reduce the duty of eighty-two per
cent upon starch; and that for Republic
can to hold with GARFIELD that protec-
ton is not an end but means, is to be a
renegade, traitor, and a Sunday-school
politician. The Chicago Tribune, which
advocates tariff reform and opposes free
whisky, support the Republican nomina-
lions but rsPudiatss the Republican plat
form. To repudiste the platform, how
ever, is practically to bolt, which the
Chicago Tribune declares that it will not
do. The Philadelphia Telegraph, rs We
understand il, holds that virtually this is
az Impossible position, and that, rs this
year the Republican party has made itself
an extreme protection party, no journal
| which advocates tariff reform can be for
this campaign n Republican paper. The
Telegraph objects to the course OF former
Republicans who, while voting against
protection, decline to call themselves Demo
crat, and seems TO hold that the party has
finally decided that Rspublicanism is now
simply a policy Of extreme protection for
the sake of protection, as set forth in the
Chicago platform, and thst everybody who
is not such pro!eetionist ought at once to
relinquish all claim to the Republican
name. II the position OF the Telegraph be
conceded, and Republican hencetorth
means only extreme protection, an enOr-
nous surplus, and distribution of public
money, it's conclusion is fair. But there
are many Independent Republicans OF "a
and others of 'SS who feel with ex-Mayor
Low that their separation from the party
may not be fiual, because the older protec-
tive policy and view may be resumed. The
Telegraph apparently holds the platform of
1888 to be an immutable manifesto, but it
Is not clear by any means that the Repub-
iicsn Senate may not propose scheme
which will bs very different from the Chi
cago platform. Mr.. Low certainly hopes
hereafter to act with the Republican party,
and the great multitude of independents of
1884 would undoubtedly support Mr..
WARNER MILLER, for instance, for the
Goyernorship of New York in opposition to
Governor HILL. They are not Democrats
now, as they were not in 1884, or in 1885
when they supported Mr.. DAVENPORT.
They feel that the political situation is
temporary and unsettled, of which thereis
no more striking proof than the difference
in the Republican platforms of 's4 and 'Ss
upon the subject of the tariffs change
which has practically suspended for the
present the party relations Of Republicans
like Mr.. MEDILL, Mr.. Low, the Rev. Doc
tors CUYLER and SToRRs, with many
others.
The same uncertainty is shown by the
differing course of sincere civil service re-
formers. Many of them strenuously OPP
pose the election of Mr.. CLEVELAND, and
many cannot see such a prospect Of reform
in Republican success as to Justify them in
supporting the maintenance Of unnecessary
and extortionate tariff taxation. In this
situation honest men may honestly differ
while they anticipate REIMBURSEMENT of
party relations, and in the meantime they
will not be much troubled by the name
that they may or may not bear, nor by
any impeachment of their motives or accu-
sations of Inconsistency. The purpose for
which the Republican party was organized
has been accomplished, aud it is trying to
adjust it9elf to other purposes and policies
When it is evident that it is really nothing
but an association to msintsin an extrava-
CANT tariff, and that principle in politics is
really regarded as supersensitive consci-
entiousness, no Republican like those
whom we have mentioned will expect to
act with it again. The question which
the election of this year submits to the
country is not question of pro-
lection and free trade, but of the
degree of protection. One plat
form declares distinctly that, rather than
diminishing the surplus by moderating
the tariff, the national tax on whisky
should be repealed. The other platform
proposes to cheaper the necessaries of life,
10 stimulate industry, and to extend trade
by freeing the raw materials of msnufac-
ture. 1t assumes that the prosperity of
the country is not due to high taxes in the
form of an immoderate tariff, bat to the
skill, enterprise, thrift, and en-
erpy of the people. By freeing lumber it
cheapers houses for the farmer. By free
ing salt 1t supplys cheaply universal me-
csssity, and disiufhs . grasping monopoly. |
By freeing wool it chsapens clothes Tor
everybody. Six hundred million pounds