Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-11-18
MUST LOWER THE TARIFF.
Phelps says Republicans Cannot
Retain Power Otherwise.

MUSI uOH En- IL L = hlC
Phelps says Republicans Cannot
Retain Power Otherwise.
William Walter Phelps was seen last
night by a World reporter at his home
in West Englewood, N. j., comfortably
lounging in big easy-chair, apparently
at peace with the world and content with
the result of the election. He expressed
his mind freely in reference to the Ma
tional contest, and what to him was its
significance. Said he:
ITO me the result seemed assured from
the outset. Cleveland invited defeat by
raising the tariff issue. Harrison was
elected on the question of protection or
free trade, and do not see how the re-
suit could have been otherwise. That
fatal cry of free trade killed the Demo-
cratic party. The fight was one of prin-
ciples and not of candidates. In my own
experience on the stump l found
that the people wanted to hear
a discussion OF the tariff ques-
ton. The speakers devoted themselves
to this issue, and only introduced the
personality of the candidates to break
the monotony. The Democrats made a
great mistake to raise the question at
all, and having made that mistake they
made another in their management OF
the campaign. They should not have
brought free trade speakers from the
South to address Northern voters. They
would have done much better to have
brought out men like Randall and Eaton
as campaign orators"
"Do you think the result would have
been different had not the tariff issue
not been raised"
"Had the trrif question not been
raised nothing could have prevented
Cleveland's reelection. No Republican
candidate could have stemmed the tide
in the Presidents favor. He would have
gone in again with scarcely struggle for
victory"
How do you account for the Republi-
can victory in New York, while Con-
necticut and New Jersey went Demo
cratic?''
"The tariff issue was stronger in New
York than in either of the other States.
The liquor interests carried New Jersey,
and the Democrats won a complete VIC
tory. They will have majority of three
on joint ballot in the Legislature. While
the Republicans made large gains in the
southern counties. these were overcome
in the counties where the large cities are
and along the coast. The Democratic
majorities were rolled up in Monmouth
county, where Long Branch is situated,
in Newark, Jersey City and Paterson.
The liquor question was stronger in these
places than the protection question.
81 look upon the success in New York
as very largely due to the noble efforts of
Warner Miller. While he personally was
| fighting an almost hopeless battle, he
worked for the success of the National
ticket as of paramount importance. He
did much for the cause of protection, and
| it is pity that his efforts were not re-
| warded with personal success.
"In Connecticut and in all New Eng
land, in fact, do not think Protection as
strong an issue as in New York. The
manufacturing industries of these States
are 30 old and firmly established that
they do not require much protection.
These, to my mind, are the reasons why
New York went Republican while New
Jersey and Connecticut did not"
"How about the Democratic gains in
Western Republican States?"
GAS in New England, the protection
question is not so strong in the West, al
though for different reasons. In the
Western States there are not so many
manufacturing interests which require
protection, and the cry of Free Trade
did not mean so much with them. Be-
sides this, look upon Democratic gains
in the West as protest against the pres.
ent inequalities of the tariff. They wish
to see these corrected, and the Mills bill
did not create the alarm that it did in
the other States"
"Do you really believe that Demo-
ency to freee trade?"
"The Democratic party certainly
tended that way. Cleveland permitted
his champions to come from the South,
where the free-trade sentiment is
strongest. The speeches in the House
of Representatives made by Mr.. Mills,
and his entire record, show him to be q
free-trader. The people understand
this, and consequently his Northern
speeches made Republican votes. Har-
rison's success insures the safety of pro-
lection as an American doctrine"
"Do you think the Lord Sackville Incl
dent had any material influence on the
result ?''
theoretically it should have had, but
IL uOb. 1uo 1TlSn
vote, which would mainly have been
affected by it, was not wavering, as it
was four years ago, but had about all
gone back to the Democratic party"
"What is your opinion of Cleveland's
action regarding Lord Sackville ?"
"That do not care to express
"What is your opinion Of Cleveland's
Administration?
cit has been what was to be expected
OF an ignorant but honest man. His
craftsmanship has not been broad, and
he has shown that his knowledge of poll
tics is not extensive. The Democratic
party had no other course than to follow
his leadership, and hence he is response
BILE for it's defeat"
"What effect do you think the change
in Administration will have upon the
country"
81 think il will be beneficial, and that
business interests generally will exper-
fence a boom. Harrison will make q
good President. He is able, conserva-
tive and unambitious. He has q too
positive character to be the fool of any
man, and he will not submit to dictation.
He is not man be easily influenced
from what he considers the right"
"How firmly, in your opinion, will
this victory intrench the Repu blicans in
povuor 0v - : Z