The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-07
THE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE.
After Long Debate the Tariff Plank OF
OF 1854 Is Adopsed.

ot 1888 IN Auopseu.
ST. Louis, Mo-, April 6.-The commit
tee oil resolutions resumed its session at 10
o'clock this morning at the Southern ho-
tel. The subcommittee appointed to draft
platform entered the room afterward,
looking exceedingly worn by their long
session Of last night. They reported their
inability to agree, the point at issue being
the question OF reaffirming the tariff plank
in the platform OF 1884. The subcommt-
tee had listened TO earnest appeals last
night in favor OF and opposed to the ques-
ton, but could not agree. Mr.. German
proposed a reafiirmation OF the tariff plank
in the 1884 platform and q general policy
OF reduction rs indicated in the Presidents
tariff message. Mr.. Watienon opposed
any allusion TO the 1854 platform. which
he deemed equivocal and indirect. Mr..
German addressed the committee for an
hour, and emphasized the political expe-
d 'ry Of a moderate tariff policy. While
'sidered the prospects OF Democratic
ss in New York much better than
they we're four years ago, he regarded
Indiana land he appealed to Senator
Turpie TO confirm his statement), New
Jersey and Connecticut as doubtful, and
he would have no hope OF his party carry
ing them upon tariff for revenue only
platform. Mr.. German argued in con-
clusion that the platform OF 1884 was the
one upon which Mr.. Cleveland was elected;
that he accepted the nomination upon il,
and has been content 10 administer the
executive office in accordance with its
principles. II has ample latitude as much
as the administration itself desires, and IL
would be impoltic at this time TO make il
more emphatic.
Mr.. Wattenon responded in an address
OF about one hours duration. The plat
form OF ten years ago, he said, was a strad-
die, and so accepted by the committee on
resolutions in the convention OF 1884. Its
advocates had said: Let us get into power,
and then We can frame policy TO suit our
party views.
The issue OF the election, said Mr.. Wat
terson, did not prove the wisdom Of an
equivocal policy. II was not a policy
pleasing TO our peculiar American man
hood. came TO be stagmatized as strad.
die, and there was an odium attached TO il
from which II could not be freed. The
campaign, fortunately for the Democratic
party, by the nomination Of Mr.. Blaine,
had become one Of personalities. and Mr..
Cleveland had been elected. The result
did not prove the strength OF the 1884
platform, and did not justify the faith OF
the advocates OF a straddle policy. In his
judgment there was no statesmanship in
duplicity. II would, he thought, be wise
10 take an aggressive stand, as the Demo-
cratic party had now been ireyocably
committed TO the policy Of horizontal
reductions by Clcvelands last message,
and by the utterances Of the majority
Of the Democratic party in the
House OF Representatives. From that
position, said Mr.. Wattenon, there can he
no retrace. Our position is clearly an
nounccd; IL Is known TO our opponents
and 10 the people. lie believed, more.
over, that the bold, manly tone OF Mr..
Cleveland's message had had very happy
effect. The utmost candOr Of expression
characterized the remarks Of both Mr.
| Wattersou and Senator German, and per
feet good feeling was maintained through
out But It soon became evident that
their relative positions upon the point nj
issued would be maintained; and IL be-
came quite as clear that the majority Of
the committee had been impressed with
Mr.. Germans candid statement OF the pO-
litical cxpcdiency involved In the ques-
/ ton.
Throughout the discussion the members
/ Of the committee listened with eager at
tention, and, though the heat Of the com.
/ mittce-r0oms was almost insuilenble, not
| a chair was vacated during the long ses-
sion. The doors were kept carefully locked
| all morning, and throngs OF prominent
gentlemen, among whom was Col. Nor
rison, OF Illinois, waited impaticntly in the
| corridor for any information that could be
| cleaned ms 20 the proceedings from any
| member Of the committee who might APP
pear in the corridor fora momentary breath
| Of fresh air. At noon n general debate
was begun upon the question Of rcafiirm-
| ing the platform OF 1884, ten minutes TO be
allowed each State, and a vote 10 be had
at l.3O o'clock. The debate, however,
was prolonged until after O'Clock.
By vote OF 25 10 10, the committee
agreed 90 Senator Germans proposition 10
indorse and reiiemte the tariff platform Of
! 1884. II Il understood there will be no
serious division upon the other planks In
the platform. The committee reassemblcd
at 7 o'clock tonight for consideration Of
the platform by sections. The following
Is the full wording OF the tariff plank in
the Democratic platform adopted In. Chi
cago in 1884.
The Democratic party e pledged 70 rcrie N,
tariff IL spira Of Jdirnou 10 all inierois.
Bh IN making a reduction Ia tara u is noi
propos,d b hjurc any d0mostic iHdusries bui
raiicr promote G,eir healthy gro,uh. From,
he foundation Qf hb government idr0 oOl-
ieciSd NJ nc citsfOm-hduae hare bon Me chiJ
source NJ Federal rcrmus; such hcy must con.
iiHue % b.; morf0rd many fndmaric5 hdu
come 10 riy upon legialaii0n IOr aiocessfh con-
iiiuGncc, - D,di any change n tariff must b,
at ccyy aeD rcgdri6d of he labor and odpi
fai inrOlrcd. The prOooss Of reform must b,
subject w crcctdiOn 10 his plain dictate of jas.
iios-dn tdrdiiOn daH BE- limited 10 Le n
qiircmdis Qf an economical government. Tn
necessary reduction IN t1rdiioR must b. Effected
uiiiOm dcpriring Amcricdn labor Of Die dbiil
% ooBpce aiccessfdly Uih JOrcign labor, dHt
riihom imposing iotoer rates Of duty than rii
b. ample 70 o0ucr any increased cot Of produe
ton Which may eria III oonsequenoe Of N
higier rate of tDdgs prroIing III his country
Sufficient rGenue 10 pay all Gie erpmsg 2
ne Fofsrdl gOrcrnBieni economically admins
tcred, including p1isi0ns, Interest and princi
pal Of he public dclt can b. got undcT O,t
; proseni gJsiem Of iaTaiiOa from cuSi0m-hOus
! iarc on (cner imported articles, bedIin
hodricsi on articles Of huN and bedrin
2 hgilcr on dHici0 Of noceg'W. W. herqU,
: doo,moc NE obuN Of he pros1i tariff an
aibjod 10 Die preceding Limitations irc dcmam
I,di Federal iardiiOn sioH b. Crclusiroy 70
...,If.s tt,ruoass aud sL.U al svessI fhg fefo