Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-08-01
THEY NOW ADMIT IT
Democrats Conoeje That Their
Party Declarations Are
HURTING GENERAL BUSINESS
Manufacturers Are az s-s~--nem~nd
Made That the Administrator
shall Iho Something Positive.

WAsHfSoro.. July 3i--As the demo
crat congr.ssmsn arrive II il evident
that they are not willing 10 accept the
theory that ia. repeal n the silver pur-
chase act is the only duty u the demo
erat congress. or that that act Is the
cause u existing business depression.
Some % the leading democrats who are
disposed 10 be candid say openly that
the declaration of their party platform
a. to protection have had the effect of
disturbing business by causing doubt as
20 the future Legislative policy. and that
the only radical cure for the manifest
business evils is that the democrat party
shall Immediately fuiilil its pledges as
10 the tsrin and give the country an op-
portunity 10 adjust itself 20 the new
conditions
There are many democrats who are
not disposed 10 be 81 candid as this with
the public. but privately the man whose
opinion is commanding is Vet 10 be
found who does not inaorse these views
Congressman generally maintain a stud
led reserve aud are unwilling that their
opinions should be made public over
their own name They seem 10 he wait
ing 10 ascertain what the trend of senti-
ment among their associates will be-
But as a whole. there are unfailing IN
dications that the democrat leaders
agree with William G. Whitney. that
the repeal of the silver purchase act
would only toe palliative. and not cure.
and that the democrat party. which Is
now entirely responsible for the legisla
tive and administrative branch OF the
government cannot avoid It's RESPONSE.
bilities by running away FROM its tariff
pledges.
sherman Law Not Wholly to Blame.
One democrat leader who is now here.
who is friend Of Cleveland and has
held public Office under him. but who is
too rich and fond Of ease now 10 ae2pt
further official station. and who in
touch with the representatives of he
great business interests Of New ivkk.
said today:
Il have just come from New York and
find that there is a growing indisposi-
tion among our people 10 accept the
ory that the only trouble with business
is the Sherman law. The men there
who are the closest 10 the money CEN
ters and great manufacturing interests
say that. while the silver law is bad leg
islation. and an important factor in pre-
vailing conditions. IL Is 10y no
means the sole cause 81 the silent
panic through which we are passing.
They say that il is true that the
declarations of the party platform. and
of the party Leaders to the effect that
the protective system is Unconstitutional
and must give way 10 a radically differ.
ent economic system. lies at the founda-
ton ~ the commercial unrest. and that
the time has come for the democratic
party either to fulfill its pledges or 10
abandon them. What the business
world needs is stability. Manufacture
ers Of the country who are capitalists do
not 50 much care what tariff system
shall be adopted "a that some system
shall be chosen which shall be perma.
nent. The manufacturers can adapt
themselves 10 the situation. but they
must know not only what the situation
is. but what il is 70 be The dry goods
houses in New York tell me that the
number of cancelled orders exceed each
week the number Of orders
Must Define Their Tarifr Policy.
Shai tcil out ProHtc ~h'h tti'f t't
here next week that they must not
listen to anybody. whether he si's in the
White house or clsewhere who tells
them that there is nothing 20 do except
To repeal the silver law. and that they
mus; forthwith tell the couutrs what
changes they propose-to make in the
tariff. or publicly declare that they in.
tend 10 make none at all. This is no
time for cowardice or evasion. The dem
ocrat party must affirm that It's farif
policy is correct. and give effect to IL.
or il must acknowledge that II Is wrong
and abandon it, There is no half way
house. IL We run away from our tariff
pledges now. we shall be the laughing
stock of the people