Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-02-18
SENATOR VEST.

| A Letter from the Missouri Senator on
National Issues Read at the Denver
Banquet in Memory of Samuel j. Til
den's Birthday.
The Denver iCol.) Greystonc club gave
a banquet on the 10th. Tilden's birth
day anniversary, at which the follow
ing, from Senator Vest. was read:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. %. 1892.
Alexander B. Mckinley, Esq, President Of the
Greystone Club. Denre,, Col:
My DEAR SIR--Accept my thanks for your
Kind invitation of the 26th inst, asking me to
attend the annual banquet of the Greystone
club on February 9. and expressing the wish that
II not able to be present l would embody my
views on the political situation letter to be
read at the club.
You refer to an interview with me published.
last November in the ST. Louis Republic. in
which declared ny prefere nee for Mr.. Cieve-
land as the presidential candidate of our party
In private conversation have often said, and
now state publicly, that have never sympa-
thized with those who have denounced David B.
Hill as traitor, and who have been unable to
see any good in his character or achievements.
He has my unqualified admiration and gratitude
for much he has done, and especially for his
splendid services in defeating the attempt of the
republicans to steal the New York legislature.
l have also said that the recent events had
satisfied me that Cleveland could not carry the
national convention and that Hill could do
with that as he pleased. From this has origi-
mated the report to which have alluded. !
have never wavered to my earnest desire for
the election of Mr., Cleveland, although recent
events have satisfied me that the chances for his
nomination are greatly diminished. 1t is proper
that should frankly give my reasons for this
opinion. When in New York last fall, during
the state canvas. I was impressed by what I
saw and heard that the Tammany leaders
would heir IN
end would support him for the presi-
dental nomination. That impression has
been entirely removed by the speak
ership contest: in which the de,
other eastern democratic managers was fully
developed to defeat Mr.. Cleveland at all haz-
ards. 1t is not my purpose to discuss the de-
tails of that unfortunate conflict. The demo
cratic party will survive this. as it has survived
many other blunders and misfort,.nes. but !
should be wanting in candor if I did not state
that one fact was developed by this contest
above all Others and that was the fixed and I'M
alterable design in certain quarters to strike
down all hope or prospect of Mr.. Cleveland's
nomination. The personality of Mills and
Crisp had little to do with the result. Every
intelligent man knew that the issue which
we had won many states in the recent past, and
upon which we must win in the future, was
tariff reform. Grover Cleveland had risked his
public career on this issue and made success
possible, and Roger O. Mills stood before the
country it's leading defender and exponent in
the house of representatives.
am dealing with facts. not motives. and
distinctly disclaim any attempt to depreciate
the ability and high standing of Mr.. Crisp.
Parties are like armies, and while the private
has equal patriotism and courage with the COM
handing general, the latter is known to the
world as representing the for which the
army contends and so history records it. The
fight Is over and every true democrat should
forget its acrimony and prepare for meeting the
enemy but it seems unQuestionabe that if the
democratic party proposed to take step back
ward to tariff reform, the logical result
would have been the election of Mr.. Mills. The
same reasons which caused me to earnestly
hope that Mills would be elected speaker led me
to support Mr.. Cleveland, for believe that any
retreat from the advanced position of the party
on tariff reform and any cessation of an ag-
gressive war upon the Mckinley act will result
in overwhelming disaster. My support of Mr..
Cleveland is simply because of his representa-
tive character the foremost exponent of
tariff reform.
My personal relations with Mr.. German who
is prominently mentioned for the democratic
nomination, are exceedingly pleasant. and
one knows better than myself his services our
ing the last congress in defeating the force
bill. !! would not pluck laurel from his
brow. but he does not represent the great cause
OF tariff reform No personal consideration in.
b ste tor in enan Mr. No g and
convention with cut and dried platform con-
tanning the old straddle of 1854; approved, as
its nS aesion Not sno even Ny
to pu down the aag which enough be
had himself placed at the mast head. 1t floats
there to- day, and will never be furled until the
war taxes, which the republican party promised
to remove on the return of peace. have been
taken from +. the e, statute book. Nor do agree
with Gov. Hill that the tariff act of 1883 should
be re- enacted. That law is not extreme as
the Mckinley act, but it is equally objection
able. Many of its provisions were voted down
in both the senate and house of representa- tives
but an ex parte conference committee upon
winch no democratic senator would serve. re-
ported the bill at midnight in the last hour Of
the session, and it passed the senate by ono ma
!ority To favor such legislation now is reac-
1t seems to me that the ways and means COM
mittee of the house should report general
position of the democratic party. Raw materi-
ais should be put on the free list and duties re.
duced on all necassaries of life to the lowest
rates by which the amount can be collected nee |
some time bills should be reported attacking in
detail the most fragrant and oppressive features |
rage on the right, left and center. and the re-
issue squarely.
Ny party is practically united on the tariff |
The only difference between Cleveland and Hill |
as to silver is that the former leaves no doubt |
OF ms to- fns friends are
The nomination of Cleveland seems to me the |
just and logical result of present political |
candidates, but the life of the democratic party |
depends on the fortunes of one man. The |
managers and tacticians, of whom I am not |
one, have determined that he shall not be nomi-
mated, and know enough of them and Of con-
ventions to be certain that they will achieve |
their purpose Recent events place beyond |
question the fact that Gov Hill will secure the
entire delegation to the national democratic
convention. New York is necessary to success !
in the presidential election, and nothing could
be more disastrous than the nomination of
Hill over Clevelsno # the nominee is
P. Flower is strongest candidate. |
He has been elected governor by $1,000 |
plurality has the confidence of both fac |
tons, and is safe, reliable and popular demo- |
crat. If the controlling power of the New York
democracy persists in forcing Gov. Hill upon |
the party. and will accept other conclusion, |
it seems to me our candidate should come from
ence would be for that tried ami faithful demo-
crat, William R. Morrison, of Illinois; but
Palmer, Carlisle. Gray or Boies command
the full democratic vote. The nomination of |
Flower would make assurance doubly sure"
but every real democrat will help to elect the |
ticket nominated at Chicago in June next, no |
matter what name is at its head. The para |
termination of republican supremacy with its
system Of plumber. based the partnership of
the government with the favored classes and
the PREDICATE expenditure of public money
Very truly. etc. G. G. VEST.
- |
Losses by Fire.
COLUMBUS, O., Feb. 12.-The fire
which started in the large block corner