New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-27

Yos: one must wait. Nobody has any bnsi-
uoss - hurry a Presidential candidate. II is
more than month since cx-Presldcnt 'le'c-
land was invited t. state what his Opinions
were on the subjects covered by the democratic
National platform, and he docs not seem 10
have succeeded even yet IN getting MS IDEAS
into shape suitable for publication The fiee-
Trade League Of this city addressed him more
than a month ago, asking whether he was IN
favor of what is called "tarin reform" or the
doctrine of the Democratic patform-tanii for
revenue only. Mr.. Cleveland has undoubtedly
found 1t convenient TO reply that he is intend
ing 10 make that matter clear in the forthcom-
ing letter Of acceptance, il it ever comes. lie
was called upon 10 cnlightcn the world on the
subject when the great demonstration ut Mad
ison Square Garden took place and he spoke
quite long enough To tell everybody what he
thought and what he meant on the subject, II
he definitely thought or meant anything. But
his statements were so blind and his language
so laundering that nobody could tell any bet
ter after reading what he had 10 say than one
could tell from his previous record whether
he was in favor Of the Democratic National
platform or not. This at least, is made clear
that he has accepted the nomination on that
platform, and under ordinary circumstances
that would suffice to settle the matter.
There seems TO be n growing impression
among Democrats, however, that nothing is
settled for Mr. Cleveland by the action OF his
party What the party had TO say about silver
coinage, it is generally agreed nobody expects
TO bind Mr.. Cleveland, and it is well enough
understood tina; his ideas about the tariff Qucs
Istil in "A II
intimate friends and especial agents or advo-
Gates in the Democratic National Convention
strongly favored the report submitted by The
majority of the Committee on Resolutions,
which declared in effect that duties on imported
goods ought to be adjusted with some reference
70 the maintenance of American rates of wages.
and ought &c be high enough to compensate for
the difference between American and foreign
wages 1t has been shown already that this
report Of the committee was voted down in
convention by great majority, in spite OF the
extremely earnest efforts OF Mr. Clcvclands
most active friends. Now the question recurs
what the ex-prcsident himself will think fit to
do about the matter.
lie can declare, il he plcascs, that he is in
favor of tariff for revenue only, thus placing
himself distinctly in harmony with the ma.
iortv of the National Convention. II he does,
il is well understood that his chances of
securing electoral votes in any OF the Eastern
States will be particularly slender. Mr.. Ran
dali. who stood for many years the shrewdest
leader of the Democratic party from the North
crn states. never was foolish enough to commit
himself in any way to doctrine so destructive.
His idea was that tho whole internal revenue
ought 10 be abolished, in order that Govern
ment should be compelled to raise its entire
revenue by duties on imports, and then, ac-
cording to Mr. Randall's calculation the reve
nue. would of necessity compel duties high
enough TO serve for purposes OF protection.
so "a tariff only for revenue" became the
watcbword of his adhcrcnts, while a tariff for
,revenuc onlyr became the war cry Of his OPP
moments. who defeated him in the contest for
control of legislation in Democratic House.
The New Jersey Democracy always sympathized
closely with Mr.. Randall. The Democrats of
New-York, except in their perfunctory sup
port of Mr. Cleveland, have never permitted
themselves to be very distinctly committed
on the tariff question. In the State of Con-
necticut. it is well enough known, the ideas set
forth in Mr. Clcveland's message on the wool
duties, if to-day ayowed and adopted as the
purpose of his party, would insure his defeat.
There is scarcely chance that he could carry
any other New-England State on such ideas
But Mr.. Cleveland is now expected tc devise.
with the great adroitness for which his friends
give him credit, some sort of political straddle
which shall appear to approve and adopt the