New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-28
THE DIRECT And SIMPLE METHOD.

The method of dealing with Ne tariff ques-
zion by our Democratic contemporary ne
Now-York SUM- has the merit of directness and
fIankness for which TIE TRIBUNE has lately
praised Mr. Clevelands uterances on the same
subject. 1t will he remembered that we sug-
cested in connection with Mr.. ClevclandS out
spoken statement that the Democratic party
had been placed in power to repeal the Mchn-
lev tariff. for one thing, that il was not so
simple matter as the President elect seemed
10 think that there a multitude OF de-
fails in the construction OF tariff act which
had to he considered with care, and that.
though the destructive part OF the programme
seemed easy enough, the task OF constructing
something to take lis place would be fouId fuli
of difficulties. The more so because OF the
widely divergent views OF the Presidents
supporters in Congress, not only as 10 dc-
tails, but as TO the fundamental principles IN
vovcd. Apparently our contemporary does
not agree i'm this view. II seems easy
a matter to 1.-THE Sum as to Mr.. Cleveland.
For il SAYS: 1.-THE platform of the Demo
cratic party adopted at Chicago in June last
laws down as the foundation of its whole faith
and policy a principle 50 broad so comprc-
utterly removes out Of existence the difficulty
which our contemporary 50 emphailcally de-
scribes" In pursuance Of this policy il con
tnues: $40 faithful legislator and no faith
ful Executive who proposes to live m to the
Democratic platform can have any trouble
about details "All protection being contrary
to the Constitution there i, no choice but 10
extinguish il at once. root and branch, line
and Sinker'
That it must be admitted is the logic %!
the situation II j. the declaration Of the plat
form reduced b. practice. the abstract made
concrete. 1t is Mr. Clevelands view: il is also
Tho Suns" The difference appears 10 be
that the former believes in the principle while
the latter believes in fulfilling the promise Of
the platform. though the principle Is all wrong
:. For our own part" says THE sun. while
we do moi believe in the doctrine we rejoice
that it has been laid down plainly. 81
unequivocay and by such unqueStionable au-
thorirv." In other words, our contemporary
adopt, the heroic treatment once recommended
by General Grant 1.-THE way - get rid Of
3, bad law is 10 enforce it, The way 10 show
the absurdity Of a ridiculous party platform is
70 nut il in practical operation. Accordingly
there nccu DE no DbtHfI dvoH' INV WI |
new tariff Lee; rs try the Frcc-Trade plan
appIoycd by the Democratic National COnvcn- |
ton and put an end 10 every customs duty oil |
= protective character This would indeed |
simplify the matter. There need then be no
bother about details. And quite agree |
with our contemporary that we shall come 10 |
this off the Democratic Representatives and |
the Democratic President are faithful to the |
platform OF the party under which they have /
lust been triumphantly elected
Great virtue resides in that III We have |
A strong suspicion that our contemporary has |
as little confidence in the honesty Of lis party |
profession on this subject H. TIE TRIBUNE. |
# is not impossible that Mr.. Cleveland him
self. holding, az he does, extreme views on this
mes,ion. would not shrink from Carrying ont |
the platform. as "The SUM- suggests. with the
utmost simplicity and directness. The diff
Guilty. we repeat is with the party behind him
in which there are as many differing views of
the tariff a. there are dutiablc articles in the
schedules. The very last thing in the world
that the Democratic patty thinks Of is being |
bound by its platforms or ante-election pro-
fcssiOns. And we somehow seem dimly to re-
member that our contemporary during the
regarded the tariff plank in the Chi
cago platform rs a meaningless platitude. with
ont binding force upon the party. If memory
serves. il was the Force Bill issue that elected
Mr.. Cleveland. and the tariff mot in it,"
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