Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-11
RETIRED FROM POLITICS.
Some New York Democrats Opposed
to Mr.. Cleveland Are Now
LOOKING OUT FOR A NEW ISSUE.
The Business Interests Will Be Against Any
Sudden Change.
LEADERS TO BE LAID ON THE SHELF
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

freely express the opinion that the party
will make mistake should it go into the
next national canvass on the tariff as an
issue. Be kind enough to note the distinc-
ton as to New York Democrats. Politicians
of either party here are mostly provincial,
have little or no idea beyond Tammany, the
County Democracy, John j. O'Brien and
the --th ward; and like the pious old lady
who knew the Bible, nothing more, they
don't want to know anything else.
But there are thoughtful men of political
influence, Republicans and Democrats, who
are looking beyond factional New York
toward the next struggle for national
supremacy. Among these are Democrats
whose opinions are entitled to weight in the
national councils, who are quick to recog-
nize the fact that while the tariff question is
not settled satisfactorily to the Democracy
SIS a body, it is settled.
SETTLED FOR THE PRESENT.
Not for all time, perhaps, but it is prsc-
tIcally settled for the present. Any dispo-
sition looking to the reopening of the tariff
agitation during the next few years will be
frowned upon by the general business COM
munity. And any act of the next National
Democratic Convention that predicates a
change of the tariff system upon national
Democratic success will be simply suicidal.
These statesmen are probably only short
distance in the lead of the many wise Demo-
Gratis throughout the country. The present
furry in commercial circles will have
quieted down in six months, and before the
next Presidential nominating convention is
called the business of the country will have
become firmly seated in the saddle OF the
new customs laws. Whateye: party under
takes, or threatens to undertake, to over
throw these laws and substitute radically
new system, will be buried so overwhelm-
inglY that it would scarcely be worth while
to dig it up again.
For whatever hardships is entailed by the
recent tariff legislation the Democrats may
hold their opponents responsible; but they
must also give credit for the benefits which
may arise IRON it, What may those benefits
be? Will thev offset the percepti5le evils2
Perhaps the country may not only survive
the Mckinley tariff bill but thrive under it
because of Is, or in spite of it. You may
take your choice.
A POLITICAL POSSIBILITY.
Perhaps in either case it might be polite
ally wise not to call too much attention to
the Republican tariff act, for fear that it
might after while work pretty well. The
merits of the system itself will probably be
always open to: fair discussion. If it is pro-
posed TO change systems of taxation, how
ever, or shake customs duties up and down
with every change of political complexion
at Washington, it does not require any wise
men OF the East to foresee that the general
business people of this country will not as
sist in the operation. Quite the contrary.
''The party must not 90 into battle on a
dead issue, 4" remarked one of these solid
Democrats to the writer. I'VE were squarely
beaten the last time on the tariff issue with
our tariff reform candidate. Right or
wrong, we were beaten. The present tariff
law is the result If it hal not been passed
the question would still have been an open
one and we might have made better fight
on it the next time. But it was passed. 1t
is the law of the land. 1t NAV be a bad
system, il may be bad law; but it is rank
folly to think Of attempting to overthrow it
just as business gets fairly adjusted to it.
Even if it is bad law, my point politically
is well taken. The people will never SUBJ
nit to an immediate repetition of the condi-
tions OF the last five or six years."
Does not that view of the question mean
the enforced retirement OF the specially tariff
reform leaders,"
OPPOSED TO CLEVELAND.
"Only so far, in my opinion, as the Presi-
dental candidate is concerned. The party
cannot be held responsible for the Hurds,
the CarlisleS, the Mills, the Wattersons and
the Morrisons. As soon as one of these is
placed at the head OF the national ticket,
however, in harmony with a national plat
form, then the party is responsible. For
this reason I assume that the late Democrat
ic President, who is good man and a clever
politician, as well as tariff reformer, is out
OF the question as to availability. The issue
which made him our last President is dead
well, not dead, perhaps, but torpid, and
must be laid away!in some healthy, auiet
spot where it will have chance to revive"
There would seem to be the germ of true
political philosophy in this view Of the stu
alton. There are few Democrats who will
be frank enough to accept this philosophy
with readiness, but they will be greatly
multiplied before the next year is old. At
least that is the opinion of conservative
Democrats here, and especially those who
follow the shade of the late Samuel j. Ran
dali and the substance of Charles A. Dana
But what will become of Mr.. Cleveland's
Presidential chances under these hypothesis?
Mr. Cleveland is the moral embodiment of
the Democratic theories and purposes as set
forth bv the last Chicago National Conven-
ton. VIII he, too, accept the new condition
of things or will he initiate the Bourbons
and decline to profit by experience?
INTERESTING QUESTIONS.
The campaign OF education will 20
on, Of course, whether the ex-Presidental |
eXpounder retains his position as principal |
te lcher or not. But will this Democratic |
lucatonal curriculum include the active |
and energetic advocacy of an immediate
verhaullng-revision-o the tariff? Can
Congressional majority favorable to such a
view be considered probable, or even a
possible result OF such canvass? These be
interesting questions and they are questions
already pertinent. In a very short time
they will be asked by a good many people
recently supporters OF Mr.. Cleveland They
must be answered and they must be an
swered satisfactorily by those who lead and
would hope TO lead 10 political victory.
They must be dealt with independently of
all other questions involving all other is
sues. They must be met squarely and hon.
estlv. They doubtless will be 80 net
From all indications the Democracy will
be compelled to accept the present con.
dition OF things so far as the tariff and civil
service are concerned, or remain in retire
ment. You cannot change the opinions of
the great majority of the Democratic party.