The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-08-17
Mr.. Olevelands Letter.
1T WILL PROBABLY AWAIT THE sENATEs
REPUBLICAN TLR RIFF BILL.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-The Presi.
dent has not yet begun writing his
letter OF acceptance and, as matters
now stand, it will not be issued until
after the Senate has before it the Re-
publican Tariff bill. The President
regards this measure as Justly stating
the Republican party's attitude in the
issue rather than what Is said in the
Chicago platform.
1t is the general opinion of the
Democratic leaders here, indeed, that
the Republican majority of Finance
Committee will be compelled to ''sur.
render some part of the protective sys-
tenn" and thus will belle the promise
of the national platform. The com.
mittee is making manful efforts to
whip the recalcitranv Senators into
line and to secure unanimous Republi-
can support for bill in apparent har.
mony with the platform, but at least
two OF the Western men bers are as
yet obstinate on the proposed heavy
cut upon the sugar tax, and there are
perhaps three or four equally obstinate
on the proposed reduction of the whis.
key tax.
The President will probably, there
fore, wait until the party has thus de-
finitely made the issue. The Senate
bill is promised within the next ten
days, and the letter OF acceptance will
o'low very promtly thereafter. Mr..
Clevelaud's letter in 1884 waI given
to the public on Aug, "a, and this
letter would thus go to the country at
about the same date. The President
seems not at all disturbed by the oppo-
sition hints and asperations regarding
1T, but If the Senate majority should
find such great difficulty in perfecting
its bill that the measure cannot be ex-
pected before we'll into September, it
is probable that he will not await its
appearance, and will give to the can.
vass as forceful, and, perhaps, as i'm
portant an impetus as his message last
winter gave to the general course OF
tariff reform.
1t may be added that, while he has
not yet began writing his letter, he
has given its subject matter abund-
ant thought; and, after the Senate
Tariff bill is in, or when he thinks the
proper time has arrived, that it will
quickly be put to paper and sent to the
press. 1t is the Presidents habit to
write with his own hand, not only at
his state papers, but even his official
and private correspondence. 1t is
said upon authority that he has not
used a stenographer since coming to
Washington. He composes his mes
sage or other important document in
his mind, and makes surprisingly few
alterations from the first draft in the
completed paper.
The manuscript of his first letter of
acceptance, which is now in possession
of DIR. Samuel Ward, of Albany, has
not above two or three changes to tAe
page. 1t will be remembered that il
was written in the North Woods.
while he and DIR. Ward were fishing in
the neighborhood of Saranac Lake.
The first draft was prepared one even.
ing after thuir return from a hard
days work, and the copy sent to the
committee was made on the following
day.
Those who have conversed with the
President on the subject of this second
letter say that it will likely be of a
nature to profoundly interest the party
and the country, both from the origi-
nality and the straightforward fashion
of the views expressed.