New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-15
THE NEW PROGRAMME.

The Democratic programme is somewhat
changed since the "tidal waye' OF 1880 swept
the party into the control OF one house OF Con-
gress and the possession of increased power In
several States That was heralded as Free
Trade victory; as a popular condemnation OF the
principle of Protection as an Endorsement OF the
Administration of Grover Cleveland and loud
call for his denomination and reelection. All
the Mugwump Contingent and great majority
of the regular Democratic newspapers in the
country so interpreted it, and with boisterouS
demonstrations of enthusiasm so hailed it, they
set up "logic of the situation on the strength
of it which pointed so Enthusiastically and abso-
lutely to the choice of Mr.. Mills, the great Free
Trade advocate, as Speaker, and the subsequent
denomination and reelection of Grover Cleve-
land. the great Free-Trade oracle as President,
that for a time both events appeared too certain
TO admit of argument to the contrary. The
business seemed already done. Congress was as
good as organized with Mills in the chair and a
revenue tariff passed by the House. and Cleve-
land as good as elected, with policy in opera
ton that would presently abolish the odioaS
custom houses and usher in the benefcent in
come tax.
election brought about another situation with
different logic attached to it, Out OF that
logic Mr. Crisp became Speaker. Then the
Mugwump Contingent kicked; Mills sulked;
Grover Cleveland betook himself somewhere to
think it over, and the programme OF the party
not to say the whole order of nature, suffered
change. There is not any Mills in the Speakers
chair there will not be any Free Trade immedl-
atey. and it looks very much as ii there would
not be any second term, or renomlnahon eVeh'
of Grover Cleveland Reason why? The scare
of 1890 is over. A years experience OF the
Mckinley bill has brought general prosperity
instead of the disasters predicted by calamity
howlers. The more discreet and shewd OF the
Democratic managers had the sense to see that
the tide had turned and in the late election
were wise enough to avoid discussion OF the tarfl
in most of the States whereby they succeeded
in saving themselves from sudden ana COM
plete upset Where they kept up the old Free
Trade cry, as in Ohio, they were badly woisted.
So with the opening of Congress the programme
is changed. The Mugwumps and Free Traders
are sent to the back seats, and the practical poll
ticians. who never lose sight OF the main chance,
are in command.
Their programme now is to avoid fighting in
the open on any question. The game will be
not to commit themselves to any definite line OF
policy on either the tariff or silver coinage. In
stead of a new Tariff bill, which last year they
70 loudly and constantly asserted their purpose
to bring in and pass and go to the country upon
in 1892, they will content themselves win
nibbling at the Mckinley bill, peckng away at
the details, making what capital they may by
Hault-finding with its separate provisions, and
ploposing quacl1 remedies for such imperfections
in it as they think they have discovered. In
brief, the new programme is to do as little open,
square fighting as possible, but to keep up sort
of miscellaneous skirmishing, and bend all their
energies to manoeuvrng for position in 1897.
The success of Tammany in this State ana IN
the organization of the HolNe has established
Tamnany tactics as the rule of the party for
the Presidential campaign; and Tammany tao
tics have always been confined to conducting
campaigns by tricks and expedients instead OF
anon principles and doctrines. What Tammany
wants is not the triumph OF any prnciple-it
cares nothing for Free Trade or Free Silver
but simply power and plumber. 1t made the
present Speaker it controls the present House
il sits in the saddle. Its programme is agreed
mon. and we shall see whether it can carry it