, 1890-02-02
TARIFF REFORM
EX-President Cleveland Inter.
viewed on the Subject.
He Also Expresses His Views
on Ballot Reform.
Proceedings in the Lower
House Yesterday.

Nashville, Feb. 1.-The American
tomorrow will contain a lengthy inter.
view with ex President Cleveland, had
by Editor Cormack. In substance Mr..
Cleveland says he felt more confident
than ever before of the triumph OF the
tariff reform on the lines marked out BY
the Democratic party. Defeat had only
strengthened the purpose and increased
the energy of tariff reformers and con-
fidence in the result of the next contest
appeared to grow as signs of dissension
appeared in the protection ranks. One
of the most serious troubles the Republi
can party will have to encounter is the
revolt of New England manufacturers
against Republican policy, while now sew
eral northwestern states are held doubt
full in the Republican columns by reason
of sectional prejudice.
The bloody shirt did valiant service in
the last campaign in counteracting the
effect of tariff reform and unless that
could again save the Republican party
from defeat, nothing else could. The
Republicans OF the New England aud
Northwestern states, who have been
hoping for a reduction of tariff duties at
the hands OF the Republican party, are
bound to realize sooner or later that their
hope is in vain. What then will they
do about it2 They are already beginning to
realize that a party which persists in a
course hostile to their interests is their
enemy and the party which is fighting to
give them what they want is their friends,
no matter il it does contain confeder ate
brigadiers.
Cleveland said he had thought the Re-
publican party might make some effort to
concentrate a new tariff sentiment in its
own ranks, but indications now appear to
be to the contrary. Party leaders eyi,
IDENTIFY thought it wiser to stand by the
contract with protected manufacturers
than to %endanger the solidity of a rich and
powerful combination which had led it
80 often to victory than by departing a
hairs breadth from the letter of the bond.
In the course of the conversation che
question of ballot reform was touched
upon, and Cleveland Intercepted the
editor in regard to the details of the
Dortch law in Tennessee.
He is intensity interested in the aues-
ton, and said it was one of the most lm-
portant reforms that had been at
tempted in years, and its Importance was
becoming greater as assaults upon the
purity OF the ballot became fercer. 1t
was asked him if he thought the cause
OF tariff reform would profit by such
legislation.
Honest government would profit by
it, said Mr.. Cleveland, and so would
every worthy cause. Franchise is not
debauched in the interest of good laws
and honest government. 1t is by those
who have a special aim to subserve at the
peoples expense, and not by those whose
interests are in common with the masses
that the ballot is corrupted. There are
no rich and powerful corporations inter
ested in buying '~ioaters' or coercing EN-
ployes to vote for the reformation of our
tariff laws. The powers of corruption are
employed upon the other side. and tariff
reform, as all others, must depend upou
the unbought Suffrage Of the people. If
the people are capable of self government
and are to remain SO, there cannot be too
many safeguards"