The sun., 1893-06-19
NEAL AND THE DEMOCRACY'S CREED
Moro Light on the Authorship OF tho Great
Authorization Plank.

More Light on the Authorship OF the Great
Authorization Plank.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: In THE
Sun OF juno 13 notice, In connection with the
question OF the Democratic Gubornatoriai
nomination In Ohio. a controversy in regard to
the authorship OF tho tariff plank in tho last
Democratic national platform. and In which
Mr. Hennessey asserts that the Hon. Tom L.
johnson was the author. even II the glory
has gone to Neal and Watterson."
Under tho known facts in the mntter. I can
not see how tho claim can be set up that Mt.
johnson drafted tho tariff plank. Mr.. John
son had no more to with it than the Duke Of
veragua. The Hon. Lawrence T. Neal of this
city. without any assistance or suggestion
from any source. and without the knowledge
OF anybody. prepared the famous resolution.
The preparation OF tho resolution was not
after long thought and deep meditation. 1t
was an inspiration. and was scratched Off In a
few minutes by O man deeply imbued with tho
great principle Of tariff for revenue only. 1t
was done for the laudable purpose OF giving
to the Democratic party q tariff plank that
had no uncertain meaning.
The Hon. Lawrence T. Neal was delegate
at large from Ohio to the Chicago Conven-
tion and was the Ohio member OF the Commit
tee on Resolutions. Whom the sub-commit-
plank. Mr.. Neal at once stated that the senti-
ment OF the party was not expressed in the
plank. and that the party should not be made
to occupy a vacilating position or take a back
ward stop. but that 1t should 90 forward and
make a bold. aggressive declaration OF the
faith that was in them.
Right then and there. while tho committee
was In session In a parlor at the Palmer
House. and seized with the patriotic desire to
have his party tako a correct and logical stand
on the groat and controlling question. Mr..
Neal sat at q table and drafted tho famous res
olution on letterhead Of tho hotel.
The resolution was then presented by Mr.
Neal to the committee as substitute for the
tariff plank proposed. but the controlling force
on tho committee did not take kindly to the
substitute. and when Mr.. Neal demanded the
roll call OF tho States on his resolution. the
Chairman OF tho committee ignored his de-
mand. put tho question to viva voce VOTE
and declared 1t lost
But Mr.. Neal was not the sort Of man to let tho
matter drop there. He knew that he was right
In the stand ho had taken, and that his resolu-
tlon expressed the overwhelming sentiment Of
his party. He therefore gave notice to the
committee that he would carry tho fight into
the Convention. and offer his resolution as q
substitute to the tariff plank whom the COM
mittee made its report.
And that was exactly what he did. Tho
storm Of approval with which the Neal subst-
tute was received by tho delegates. tho strong
speech made BY its author in favor OF its adop-
tion. and the action OF the convention In ac-
cepting 1t instead OF the plank reported by tho
committee. arc matters Of history.
1t is true that both Col. Henry Watterson and
tho Hon. Tom johnson spoke In favor Of the
Neal resolution. but that was the extent OF the
part thsy played in connection with 1t. Neither
OF them had ever heard the contents Of tho reso-
luton until 1t was read in the Convention By
Lawrence Il. Neal
For the purpose OF keeping party history
straight. have written at such length.
FRANK HARPER.
CuIIIICOTHF q June1S