St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-26
M'KINLEY AND HARRISON.

most spirited inthe history Of the state.
M'KtNLisY AND HARRISON.
There was. it appears, a national sig
nificance in the recent contest for local
offices in Chicago. The nomination Of
MIR. Kochsperger for county treasurer is
generally regarded as triuinph OF the
Harrison over the Mckinley wing of the
party. Mr.. Raymond, the defeated as
pirant for the Office, was an av0wed
partisan of the Ohio statesman. while
the successful candidate was as pro-
nonlicea in Ills advocacy of the cause Of
ex-President Harrison. In the inner
circles of the party. therefore, the result
Is looked upon as triumph of the lat
ter, and as indicating that in the next
national convention he will have the
support of Illinois.
Although much secrecy has been OBJ
served, it is very evident that Mr.. Har-
rison Is in the field to stay. He has not
been making great deal of noise. A
still hunt suits his purpose better at
present. The Mckinley boom was
sprung upon the country early, and its
reverberatlons for time Shook the ma
ton. But its force was soon spent. AS
reason returned it was found that the
idol of the protectionists had many
weaknesses. He would more fully
arouse party antagonism.tt than any other
candidate. He represents more than
any of his competitors the protective
idea that was so emphaticaliy con-
demned by the people at the last cleo
ton. Even under the altered circum-
stances of the present day, protection
has gained nothing in the public favor.
1t has gained many advantages in cop-
gress, it is true, but congress does not
represent popular sentiment, but the ia
tereSts of monopolists and pensioners
upon the tariff bounties. as opposed to
honest toll and Legitimate enterprise.
While Mckinley has been steadily de-
Ginning in favor during the past few
months. we are hearing more talk Of
Harrison. There are newspapers and
politicians that ridiculed the idea of the
ex-president's candidacy few weeks
ago who are now speaking of his nomi-
nation as among the possibilities, and
pointing to events in his career that
might justify the party in taking him
up once again. They say he gave the
country a safe and an honest admins
tration. and that while he is cold, un-
magnetic, and perhaps mediocre. they
might go further and fare worse. 1t is
admitted that Mckinley would make a
far more brilliant campaign, but BRILL
fancy does not always coant. B laine
was more brilliant than the Ohio man,
and yet he was badly BEATEN. The
American people look for other qualities
in their presidents. They prefer men
of conservatism, OF firmness and sound
ness on economic questions.
The candidacy of Mckinley would be
popular among the defenders of tariff
spoilation. His cause would be literally
supplied with money. But the people
are not SO tickle as to change their
views from one extreme to another i'll
the course OF four years. In 1892 they
looked to reform in the tariff for re-
lief from many of the evils that were
affecting them. That reform has not
yet been accomplished. but a step ia
that direction will be taken by the pass
age Of the pending tariff bill. 1t will
not be all Lhe people demanded or ex-
pected, but it will be step in the right
direction. And if the Democratic party
is wise it will be followed by the next
congress by still further progress in the
direction of a tariff for revenue only,
and as near an approach to free trade
as is consistent with the needs Of the
government.
The people have grown weary 6 the
domination of the tariff beneficiaries.
They are weary of the promises made
but never kept-promises Of great bene-
fits accruing from the protection of
American industry. American prod
ucts have been protected at the cost of
American labor. There has been tariff
upon all the products of labor, but free
trade in labor itself, aud, as conse-
auence. our industrial contest have been
flooded with the cheapest of foreign
Dauper labor to be found. The Greeks
Italians, Hungarians and Austrans Of
the lower classes have come to OUT
shores in swarms, and have crowded our
native Workmen from the mines, the
coke regions and the manufacturers.
Under the system of protection for
American products and free trade IN
foreign labor wages have declined. while
the cost of existence has steadily in
creased. Ordinary laborers receive no
more pay today than they did in ante
war times. when the cost OF living was
half what it is at present
1Nj,xy thnv, civ
pie elevate to the presidency a. man
who is the embodiment of a system that
has wrought them such great injury !?
Harrison is. perhaps. as ardent protec-
Zionist as Mckinley. but he is less con-
spicuous in that direction. He has moi
made the tariff his hobby and rid den it
to death. He woIld he safer man In
the presidential Office than Mckinley,
and has the advantage OF having been
once tried. One thing is certain: II
Mckinley is nominated, he will be far
more vulnerable than Harrison would be,
and with a fairly good candidate 3D.
posed to him he could never succeed in
carrying the election. But with wisdom
as the guide of the Democracy from this
time forward, neither of the candidates
named would have any earthly chance
of election. The Democracy. we have
every confidence, will yet redeem every
pledge it has made. anu justify the peo-
pie in continuing it in power indefi.
nitely.
COURAGE THE BEST POLICY.
The politician-that is the man who
from any motive. good. bad or indiffer-
ent, wants the votes of majority of
mic r0pctifuonfc- opf ~ w, ,,,o1o =.