Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-11-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
written and compiled for the HERALr


WASHINGTON, November 81, 1S92.-A
great change has come over the spirit of
the democrats. One hears no more about
the immediate repeal of the Mckinley
Tariff and the beginning Of an almost free
trade era, which every democrat was ad-
vocatlng a few days ago. The same fell
lows are DOW talking about moderation"
gradual change" and the preservation
of our Cuisines interests" Protection
IS no longer unconstitutional in the eyes
of the democrats, who are now promising
that instead of the repeal Of the Nc
Kinley law, at the extra session, which 1t
seems generally to be agreed among them
is to be held in the fall of next year, III
OF before, they will merely lower some OF
the duties that are considered by con-
serystive people, even in the republican
party, entirely too high, and extend the
free list little IN the line Of raw ma
terial used by American manufacturers.
In short, if the democrats who are doing
the talking really represent those who
are going to do the Ibosslng when the
new Congress gets into power, the demo-
cratic party through its newly elected
Congress and President will endorse the
principle of protection to American in
dustries, which it so vigorously abused
and protested against in its National
platform and through its newspapers and
stump speakers, by enacting a protective
tariff law, differing no whit or title from
the Mckinley law in principle, but mere
ly 40 to the extent to which the protec-
tive feature Of our tariff shall be carried.
Of course there may be- no sincerity in
this talk-there never was much in any
thing that eminated from the democratic
party-which may be INDUCED in now by
order of these bosses for the purpose Of
allsying the panlcky feeling which so
clocely followed the democratic victory.
1t exists, and that is why it is chrOnicled;
time will show whether the democrats
were really fighting for the power to
make radical changes in our tariff and
financial policy, or merely for Offices.
If the democratic administration is to
be rs unfortunate as the Cleveland and
Stevenson banner which hangs, when
it is not down, over Pennsylvania Avenue,
it is indeed to be pitied. This banner has
been cut down once, supposed to have
been done by democrat who did not
love the ticket-none such can be found
now, but they Will again be plentiful as
soon as the distribution Of par gets under
way and has been blow down 80 often
that its disappearance hardly excites any
comment; and one man threatens to-
bring a suit for damage done to his
vehicle by reason Of his horse having be-
come frightened and running away be-
cause be got tangled up Ia the ropes OF
the flag. one dark night when 1t was
down, lying in the middle of the street.
Secretary Charles Foster wishes it dis
tlnctly understood that all interviews
purporting to have been held with him
making him predict deficit in the Treas
urv during the next fiscal year are out
and out fakes. He has made no prediction
concerning government finances beyond
his own term of Office and will make
none, believing that it is not proper for
him to do so. He says there will be no
deficit during the current fiscal year and |
that is as much as he will say, for publ
cation. His annual report, which will be
made public at the same time as the
Presidents annual message, will give a
detail resume of the finances Of the ma
tiou, but will contain no recommendation |
for the future. Even if it were conNd-
cred proper for a retiring Secretary to
make suggestions to the new democratic
administration Charlie Foster is rot the
sort of man who would furnish his po-
litical enemies with ideas to help them
out OF trouble. The people have voted
for the democrats to run the machine;
let the democrats furnish the ideas too.
Local democrats are having a regular
cat and dog fight, ostensibly over the
management of the citizens committee
that will make the arrangements for Dir.
inauguration, bat in reality
over the snug District Offices that will be
at the disposal of the new President, as
to be prominently connected with the
inaugural committee has long been re-
garded in Washington as the best way to
care for ones self and friends under a
new administration. The democratic
National committee will have to srbitrate !
the warning factions, and it is
not certain that even that authority can
make peace it can only put one or the
'ther faction on top.
No further proof was needed Of the
Presidents good will towards the republi-
an National committee than bis APP
continent of its secretary, eI-Congress-
nan McComas, Of Mary land, to vacancy
n the bench of the Supreme Court Of
he District of Columbia, and his offer
ng Chairman Carter his old place. Mr.
accepted, but Mr.. Carter pre-
erred to return to his law practice in
iontaus.
S-N
Virginias Debt Funding.
ARRANGEMENTS FINALLY
nrrp p.urrro