The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-21
IT HUNG IN TIE BALANCE.

concessions from his constituents thar
he had from the finance committee.
$50 far as [ am concerned-and
think / speak also for several of my
colleagues-there has not been and
viii not be the slightest change in my
position" said Mr.. Smith. ''It has
been charged that we are not sincere
il our advocacy of the Senate bill
that we have made it for trading pur-
poses; and that those VINO oppose the
Wilson bill would rush into line at the
first crack of the whip. ] did not sup
pose any person familiar with the
character of this body would be mis-
led by a motion SO purile. But 1t is
evident from the attitude of our col
{ leagues in the House, that either they
don't believe we mean what we said,
or that they are willing to invite de-
feat of tariff legislation.
IF the former. ! have only to say
that they have mistaken their men. II
the latter they must answer to the
people for the defeat of a bill which
should. and l believe would satisfy all
reasonable expectations"
When Mr.. Smith concluded, Mr.. Hill
jumped to his feet, and, being recog-
nized, launched into his speech as fol-
lows:
Hill Sustains Cleveland,
Mr. Hill said: "a theory as well as
a. condition now confr9nts us. The
theory of the Democratic party is thai
in the enactment of tariff Legislation
free raw materials should always be
an essential and conspicuous element
The best interests Of the manufacturers
as well as the consumers of the land
demand recognition. This is wise dis
elimination.
Until recently I supposed there was
no dispute upon this question of prin-
ciple. but every Democrat worthy OF
the name was willing to concede that if
there was one thing more than another
to which the Democratic party was
committed it was the doctrine of abso-
luteiy free raw materials A true and
honest constitution of every Demo
cratic national platform for twelve
years irrivocably commits US to this
just and reasonable principle"
Hill read the Democratic national
platform of 1892. and continued:
''To repeal the Mckinley law in form,
simply to re-enact it in effect is keep
ing this promise to the letter but break
ing it in spirit. The platform pointed
with pride and deliberately approved
measures for free iron ore, free lead
ore, free coal and free wool, which We're
pending in Congress at the time of the
convent ton. The Democratic position
was so plain and is so clear that he
who runs may read.
IF any Democratic senator in any
part of the country, forgetting the in
terests of the whole land and subserv-
ing the supposed interests of his local
ity, promised the people of any state or
section that there-would be an exception
mace to the enforcement of the general
principle of free raw materials when
the Democrats should obtain power, he
exceeded his authority and misinter-
terpreted our position.
Their Course Not Justified.
ut is said by some, in justifica ton or
excuse for their present action, that the
presidents letter of acceptance in 1892
modified the extreme demands of our
platform. It is true that some portions
of his letter may tend to bear that con-
structiCn. 1t was not that bold, ringing
and explicit declaration in favor Of the
platform which his party had a right to
expect, but was regarded by many as
timid, cautious, and conservative, but
whether this criticism is or is not well
founded, the fact remains that he had
no power or authority to change or al
ter one line or sentence or provision of
the platform which had been deliberate
~ adopted by the national convention
duly assembled. No president can be
above his party. No president can die
tate to his party; no president can
change his party platform. But no mat
ter what idea it may be claimed was in
tended to be conveyed in his letter of
acceptance in mitigation or modification
Of the platform, there can be no doubt
as to the presidents position at this
time upon this essential plea of free
raw materials. Let me read from that
remarkable letter of the president s
which was yesterday submitted to the
House Of Representatives 1t expresses
better than l can hope to do, the true,
sound, and logical position of the Dem
Qcratic party upon this question
After reading extracts from this let
ter, Mr.. Hill continued:
Honest and Manly.
''Mr. President, 1 approve every word
that have quoted. 1t is an honest and
manly statement of the true attitude
which the party should assume in this
crisis.
Il am not required to defend the pro-
priety or wisdom of the PRONUNCIATION of
this letter at this particular time. It
may have been indiscreet. It may oper-
ate as a firebrand TO spread the flames
Of discord, already kindled, among par
ty friends, honestly differing, as I am
disposed to concede, upon questions Of
public and party policy. 1t was a time
v.
Citation, rather than recrimination, de-
and arrangement But aside
from the question of its eXpediency,
am here to defend the presidents let
ter in SO far as it demands that the
party shall not be led astray into the
violation OF Democratic pledges and
Upon the question of free
raw materials, the president is right
and you know it. You cannot success
"a hi Vo1
not doubt his sincerity and patriotism
You must yield, in the end, to his views
You cannot stand up against the senti-
ment OF the great Democratic masses of
the country, which will rally around the
president in his contest with you upon
this particular branch. of the subject
The time to yield is now before there is
further humiliation, embarrassment and
discord.
Mr. President, having demonstrated
that the true Democratic theory of rev.
enue reform requires that free raw ma
terials should he its distinguishing fea-
ture. let us next inquire what is the
condition which now confronts lis. The
Senate bill which was passed violates
this Democratic theory, and while it
reduces the duties on iron, coal, lead
ana some other raw materials from
those imposed under the Mckinley law,
and in that respect is commendabIe, it
nevertheless imposes some duties there
on. and thereby fails to redeem our
pledges.
Penny as Bad as a DoIInr.
ut is not a question of the amount
Of duties which may be imposed. A
Of principle is coveted, and
single penny's duty violates our prom
ises and places US in false position.
The president well says there can be
no compromise on a matter Of this
character, where vital principle is at
stake.
The House Of Representatives, fresh
from the people, which represents