The Portland daily press., 1888-06-07
bODGING THE issue.
Interest at st. Louis Centered in the
Platform,
President Cleveland Having Been ChOS.
en- as the Leader.
Germans Argument Of Expediency
Carries the Committee
And the Tariff Plank Of -Four Years
Ago is Reaffirmed
After WatterSOn Had Denounced it as a
Subterfuge.
Special Consolation for Mills in an
Auxiliary Resolution.
Germans Argument Of Expedieney
Carries the Committee

ST. LOUIS, June 6.-The committee on res
olutions resumed its session at 10 a. m. The
subcommittee reported its inability to agree,
the point at issue being the question of re-
affirming the tariff plank in the platform Of
1884. Senator German proposed the reaffr-
nation Of the tariff plank in the 1884 plat
form, and a general Endorsement Of the policy
Of reduction as indicated In the Presidents
tariff message
Mr.. Watterson opposed any allusion to the
1884 platform. which he deemed equivocal
and indirect.
Senator German then addressed the COM
mttee for an hour, and emphasized the poli-
tical expediency Of his plan. He said the
chances Of Democratic success in New York
were much better than they were four years
ago. He regarded Indiana. and he appealed
to Senator Turpie to confirm his statement
New Jersey and Connecticut as doubtful,
and would have no hope Of the party carry
ing them upon tariff for revenue only plat
form. Senator German argued, In conclu-
sion, that the platform Of 1884 was the one
upon which Cleveland was elected, and that
ne accepted nomination upon it. and has
Deen content TO administer the executive
office In accordance with its principles. 1t
has ample latitude, as much as much as the
administration itself desires, and It would be
unp0litic to make it more emphatic.
LINT. Watterson responded In an hours ad-
dress. The platform Of four years ago, he
said, was straddle. 1t was so accepted by
the committee on resolutions. In the con-
vention Of 1884 its advocates had said, "Let
us get into power and then we can frame q
policy to suit our party views" The issue
OF that election did not prove the wisdom Of
an equiyocal policy. 1t was not policy
pleasing to our popular American manhood
It came to be stigmatized as straddls, and
there was odium attached to 1t from which
1t could not be freed. The campaign fortu-
nately for the Democratic party, by the
nomination Of Blaine had become one Of
personalities and Cleveland had been elected
Ibe result did not prove the strength Of the
1884 platform and did not justify faith In the
advocates OF a straddling policy. There
was no statemanship in duplicity
1t would be wise to take an aggressive stand
as the Democratic party had now been ire
by Cleveland's last message and by the ut
terances Of the majority of the Democratic
party in the House Of Representatives.
From that position there could be no retreat.
Their position was clearly announced and
was Known to their opponents and to the
people. He believed the bold, manly tone
Of President Cleveland's message had very
happy effect. The utmost candor Of
oxPrcssion cndIacteflLeu the remarks
OF both Watterson and German and per-
feet good feeling was maintained throughout
1t soon become evident that their relative
positions upon the point at issue would be
maintained and it became quite as clear that
the majority Of the committee had been inn
pressed with Germans candid statement of
the political expediency involved In the
question. throughout the discussion, the
members OF the committee listened with
eager attention. At noon, general debate
began upon the question Of reaffirming the
platform of 1884. Ten minutes were allow
debate was prolonged, however, until after 5
O'Clock, when, by a vote Of Is to 10, the
committee agreed to Germans proposition
to endorse. and reitsrate the tariff platform
OF 1884. 1t is understood there will be no
platform. The committee reassembled at Z
O'Clock for the consideration Of the platform