Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-26
For Tariff Reform.
Mr.. CLEVELAND TALKS ABOUT THE CAUSES
OF THE POLITICAL UPHEAvAL.

Mr.. CLEVELAND TALKS ABOUT THE CAUSES
OF THE POLITICAL UPHEAvAL.
The New York Commercial Advertiser
says representative of that paper asked
ex- President Cleveland for an expression of
opinion as to the causes of the recent politi-
cal revolution.
"Well," said the ex-President, sit must
be clear to all thoughtful men that the
popular demand for reform of the tariff,
which the republican party denied, was the
chief factor in the result. The people want
ed la reduction of the cost Of living, and the
republican Congress increased the cost of
the necessaries of life. AS consequence,
the people showed their disapprobation by
electing Congress from which they may
expect relief from their burdens The pub
lie may be hoodwinked for time by false
representations, but it never fails to find
out the deception and punish the deceivers.
The campaign for tariff reform was inau-
purated in full reliance on the intelligence
of the American people, and the results OF
last Tuesdays election justify this faith in
them.
81 believe that this victory for democracy
is not the result Of the passing enthusiasm
among democrats or of factional qusrrels
among republicans. It is, in my opinion,
deliberate expression Of conviction which
has been reached after careful thought.
ssDuring the last two years the tariff Re-
form League and similar organizations have
been sending documents all over the coun-
try. This Is a rather slow way to make
conversions. It has not the immediate eff
feet of eloquence on the people, but when
mems minds are convinced by careful read
ing and thinking the effects are likely to be
more enduring than those produced by
speech. The tariff reform campaign has
been carried on by these leagues on this as
sumption, and think that the men who
voted for tariff reform this year will be apt
to remain with our party on that issue II
their faith in our party's sincerity con-
tinues."
"What do you think of the result III
Massachusetts," asked the reporter.
.sIt is one of the most significant features
of the election" was the reply. "Govern-
or-elect Russell made his canvass on the
tariff reform issue, and was elected by 1Oi
600 majority in a strongly republican man
ufacturinp State. The democratic candi'
dates for Congress asked the votes OF the
people on the same issue, and the complex
ion of the Massachusetts delegation in the
Fifty.second Congress shows the result:
"The tariff has also done its work in New
Hampshire and other New England States.
1.-THE democratic victories iu the West
are the protests of tho farmers against
tariff which taxes their agricultural imple
ments, their clothes and their household
goods and gives them no compromising
benefits. The elections in Michigan, WIS
cousin, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas and tne
other Western States indicate that the WORK
begun two years ago is bearing fruit.
1.-THE democratic party is still held by it,
pledge to make just revision of the tariff
It now has large majority in the House o
Representatives, and it will continue thu
work begun in the Fiftieth Congress ano
keep up the fight until its promises to the
people are redeemed"