The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-29
THE PLATFORM FIGHT.
Strong Objections to the Tariff and Silver
Ptanks

Strong Objections to the Tariff and Silver
PIanks
The only features of the platform which
seemed to call forth divided sentiment
were the tariff and silver planks, which
were apparently not sufficiently radical to
satisfy the delegates with pronounced
views.
Col. Jones moved the adoption of the
platform.
Mr.. Neal of Ohio being recognized, said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
CONVENTIONAL 4 representative from the
state of Ohio upon the committee on Tesolu-
tions, | gave notice of my intention to present
to the convention an amendment to the
section OF the platform relating to the
tariff GApplause.I l have been unable
oOnseientOusly TO agree with the majOr-
ity of my fellow-members upon that
section of this platform. L therefore gave
tice to the committee that | would move In
this convention to strike out of that section Of
the platform pertaining to the tariff all the
words preceding the denunciatiop of the Nc
Kinley act and substitute therefor the follow.
ing:
Such question now have IN the federal system
OF protective taxation. Tariff reform has ben the
leading political issue In this country since the
democrats commenced to battle for revision of tariff
taxation more than forty years ago. IL must con-
Luuc 10 De ouCn lutll IL snail Do as nrmiY oStaO-
Iished as any fundamental principle can be that the
federal government has constitutional power to
impose and collect tariff duties. except for rev.
enue alone. The announcement of this
doctrine greeted with loud CHI ers And that
even then the collection of such taxes shall be
limited 10 tia necessities of the government when
honestly aud economically administered. pro-
tcctive tariffs robbery of the great majority Of the
people for the benefit Of the few; believe it be-
and We ought to have the courage of our oonvc-
tons, We should not delay the enunoiation OF IL
The fact that its insdious purpose under the forms
OF Law is called taxation renders it none the less
parts Of the hall "thAt is right."l And the
claim that it is accomplished under the guse
q law Is as great crime and aggravates
publican protection is hostile TO form Of gov
eminent IS was the principle Of taxation without
belief and fought an achieved ndspon nd The
longer we heed the cry Of protection it will be
sent TO the degradation OF the In the interest
of the classes
We denouuce the republican policy of protection
as fraud leries aud cbeers taxing the labor Of the
great majority Of the American peope for the ben-
eht OF the few. ICries of ''read IL again.
We declare 1t TO be fundamental principle of the
democratic party that the federal government has
no constitutional power TO impose and collect tGrh
duties except for the purposes IF r-veaue only
applause and cheers and we demand that the COL
lection 81 suen taIe. shall De limited to the necessi-
ues OF the government when honestly and econom-
ieally administered. Cheers and applause.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION
Inc speaker was interrupted with cries
of read that again; that is good"
In pursuance to request by Mr.. Bourke
Cochran of New York the secretary re-
read the minority report.
Mr.. Walker of Missouri called for the
reading OF that which Mr.. Neal proposed
to strike out, and the secretary read. and
at the close of the reading cries were heard
strike that out"
Mr.. Neal OF Ohio-Gentlemen Of the con.
81
strates the fact that the American people will
consider and dete rhine but one great public
question at time. Many questions in a gov
eminent like ours, with its varied interests will
necessarily attract some share of public atten-
lion at one and the same time, but il 10 none
the less true that some ons question
Will ovefshadow all others in i'm
portanee and command for itself the
highest place In the thoughts of the people.
The republican party seeks TO change the
form and character of our government itself
by converting 1t from a democracy-a govern
ment OF he people-to an aristocracv of wealth
[Applause.l The rapid concentration of the
wealth OF the country. under the fostering cara
OF protection. foreshadows this present change
The ownership OF more than one.half fhe
property of this country by 1900 persons. and
the still more astounding fact that $50 OF our
63,OOO,OcO people own-absolutely oUn-one-
twelfth of all the properly of our
country, proves with striking force the nece.-
sity OF this change. [Cries of time. time. 81
Then, my friends, let us 20 forward in this
great battle which We have commenced Let
Us not turn eur backs upon the enemy. lCries
OF I'VE won'" aud "time."l But let us make
this the controlling question in such a manner
that the most uneducated and ignorant man
who reads the platform may understana m
lApplsuse.l Let US continue this fight until
we, the people Of this country, shall have
reached full and FINAL conclusion upon the
great question and shall have determined Il In
favor OF the struggling toiling millions Of this
land. who too long already lave been the un.