The herald., 1894-07-27
His right to send it WAS

Mr. Villas quoted the text OF the letter
Was the language that Of a man who
sought to reach beyond his power? hs
asked. Was it not rather the hones
outpouring of q genuine Democrat ad
dress in support OF the principles the
president had 60 nobly carried through
two trying presidential contests?
Mr. Villas then quoted and ranged
alongside Mr.. Cleveland's utterances the
etatement OF Mr.. German that the sen.
ate bill could not pass if it did not have
the hearty support OF Mr. Cleveland.
Sat the very time the president was
writing his lettsr to Mr.. Wilson," Mr.
Villas went on dramatically, "the sen.
stor from Maryland and his co-workera
were sppesling to Mr.. Cleveland to in
duce him to support them in an effort to
qualify the enactment OF Democratic
principles, instead Of cryetallizing the m
into law. How utterly wanton is this
cry of interference nowl Because he
has seen tit to throw the weight of his
influence with the house in favor OF
Democratic principles; because he re-
fused to stand with them, they make
his action ground OF complaint hare
and in horror cry out against executive
interference"
Mr.. Villas referred to the fact that
President Washington came to the sen-
ate chamber. accompanied by his secre-
tary, to urge in person the ratification OF
6 treaty he had negotiated. Presidents
Jackson's course in making his views
felt by congress- was also referred to.
Mr.. Villas said he was content to leave
to fair minded men whether the presi-
dent had wantonly encroached upon the
rights of congress. The charge was made
that the senate had been traduced. Ex-
tracts from the letter to Mr.. Wilson were
read to show that the Presidents pur-
pose was not to tradus the senate, but to
plainly state his aspirations toward tariff
reform. The president had stated that
the Abandonment OF that CREST party
principle would be perfidy and dishonor.
No one would question that such an
abandonment OF principles would be
diahonorable. The shaft was not aimed
ct any senator. II was not personal
accusation. 1t was not an accusation
leveled at the senator from Maryland
(Mr. Germany, or the senator from Mis-
souri (Mr. Vest), or the senator from
Arkansas (Mr. Jones), or against any
other senator.
The president understood the situa-
tion in the senate. He knew these
staunch adherents to tariff reform OF the
senator from Texas (Mr. Mills), the
senator from Delaware (Mr. Gray, and
the two senators from Arkansas (Messrs.
Jones and Berry,, but there was no ar
rayal OF these views. The Presidents
letter was wholly imperaonal.
Mr.. Villas said the views OF the sene-
tor from Marylan could mean only one
thing. 1t was an effort to array Demo-
Gratis together in spirit of resentment,
and thus carry out the compromise OF
tariff reform. The Wilson bill had
passed amid public acclamation. The
people accepted it as the honest execu-
tion of a party and public pledge. But
when this revenue reform measure
reached the senate, iron and coal were
placed on the Iutiable list.
Moreover it was debated week in and
week out. The public was weared at
that debate, and yet the senats could
reach no result. 1t was at this juncture
the senator from Arkansas (Mr. Jones)
had brought forward over 400 amend
ments. These were to be the solution
OF the problem and we're to bring debate
to close. Still the discussion proceeded
IS days.
Mr.. Villas said he recognized the ne
cessity of yielding to these amendments.
Il was essential to have revision of the
existing tariff law quickly. 1t was esaen-
tial, too, to reinforce a depleted treaaury.
Meantime, under the operation OF
the rules of the senate, we encounter
the taunt of our skillful friends upon the
other side, that we were dumb. We
who felt we were tagged and smothersd
by our anxiety, fuming with chsgrin,
and yet subdued by an over.ruling ne
cessity. enjoyed that blessed freedom OF
debate which our rules secure only to
the obstructing minority. Can any body
suppose for an instant that there could
be such a compulsion placed upon sem
ators by their effort to pass the bill
through the senate, so az to make than
reckless OF their obligation under the
constitution to another branch OF the
legislature? Assuredly not, sir; nobody
in this chamber would have pretended
so to yield up in advance of the measure
of his duty, his recognized obligation.
Was not this history we'll known to
the president? Has he not in
variably, often sympathized with
the declaration OF party loyalty
by the distinguished senator from Mis-
souri,, the distinguished and able SEN
ntor from Texas (Milla) and others upon
this floor. The president could not
know all the details of this bill. He
could only deal with it in general re-
spects as to its principles. and therefore
he wrote not to disparsge the senate nor
to traduce senator. He was not only
excused but justified by his country
men, who justify him and applaud, as
they have already done, his unfiinching
fidelity to his views.
"It is not resentment that I feel for
the distinguished senator from Mary
land. The consequence to him of this
assault upon the chief magistrate, in the
judgment OF his fellow mon. he must
endure. for in my opinion he has made
mistake. He has made fearful mis-
take. The Americvn people will never
tolerate, in any manner, treatment oil
this nature of their great chief magis-
trate, except on grounds 80 solid as
would warrant action against him. Not
only in his official capacity but also in
his admirable, his wonderful indi-
viduslity, tried in the sternest
ordeal and known to every man
of intelligence and atrength of mind,
Grover Cleveland stands perfectly recog-
nized as himself. the full N saaure OF his
great Office. He ia not for the first
time president, but with peculiar
glory shared by no other hitherto he is
a second time q president after a defeat
for reelection. which all his countrv-