The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-06-30
NUMBER le.
The Issue Of 1888.

national convention was the result of
thirty-six hours struggle In the
committee. The point at issue in
that prolonged contest was the word
ing OF the tariff plank. Understand
clearly that it was not the position
which the party should take, but the
phraseology in which that position
should be stated. There were two
factions in the committee, one head
ed by Senator German, of Maryland,
the other by Henry Watierson, of
Kentucky. Both were animated by
a desire for the success of the De-
mocracy this fall, and only differed
In opinion as to what language could
catch the greater number of voters.
Watterson, at the head OF the free.
trade contingent, believed that q
square conmittal of the party to
tariff reduction was the thing that
would be most fruitful of votes.
German, at the head of the other
faction, believed that the plank
should be one that could be interpre-
ted as protectionist in manufa curing
states, and as free-trade elsewhere. as
it would succeed better. The outcome
of the fight was that German was
allowed an Endorsement of the "strad-
die" of the platform of 1884, while
Watterson was allowed the sentence
which declares the Presidents free.
trade message to be the correct DEM
ocratic Interpretation of that plank.
The result of that compromise was
the following utterance on the tariff:
The Democratic party of the Uni.
ted States, in national convention
assembled, reneWs the pledge of its
fidelity to Democratic faith and re-
atfirms the platform adopted by its
representatives in the convention of
1854; and endorses the views ex-
pressed by President Cleveland in
his last earnest message to Congress
as the correct Interpretation of that
platform upon the question of tariff;
and also endorses the efforts of our
Democratic Representatives in Con-
gress to secure reduction of excess
SiYe taxation
This is distinctly free-trade. How
the prOtectionist Democrats can stand
upon that narrow endorsement of the
1884 platform passes our comprehen-
sion, when the Presidents message
is declared to be its official Demo-
cratic Interpretation, and considering
that the convention Immediately
thereafter adopted the following res
olution without dissent:
ReSOlUed, That this convention
hereby endorses and recommends the
early passage of the bill for reduction
of the revenue now pending in the
House of representatives.
For, be it remembered, that the
bill here u.entioned-the Mills bill
provides for:
Free trade in lumber, which we
produce to the value of nearly three
hundred millions of dollars annually.
Free trade in wool, of which we
l produce over three hundred millions
of pounds annually.
Free trade in tin plates and cotton
ties. which we already import to the
value of seventeen millions of dollars
annually.
Free trade in hemp, fax, MANILA,
jute, and other flores, and importa-
tions of which already supplant
American products to the value of
Mirty:fUe millions of dollars annually;
Free trade in cement, potash, lime
and brick (;
Free trade in meats, game and
poultry;
Free trade in vegetables, peas, and
beans;
Free trade in marble and stone;
Free trade in at least one hundred
other articles produced in this coun.
try, most of which would be pro.
duced in sufficient quantities for
home consumption if properly pro-
tected.
1t is clear that, despite the at
tempted shuttle, the free traders tri-
umphed, and that, for the first time
in its history, the Democratic party
stands clearly committed to policy
of revenue reduction that strikes at
American industries and at the en-
ployment and wages of American
workingmen. That is the issue of
the campaign. The Republican party
stands pledged to reduce the revenue,
but by methods which shall protect
these interests. The voters of the
nation have their choice between
business stagnation, low wages and
bankruptcy on the one hand, and
good wages, good business and pros
perity on the other.-IbIeClo Blade.
Young Wife.-"John, l wish you
would rock the baby,