The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-21
CABINENT CONCLUSIONS.
WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE GREAT
REPUBLICAN GAINS.


Democratic Leaders Blsmed-Betrayed
Their Party and Brought About efeat
Passed . fsr,ff Bin Too Late-An En-
oouragins Feature Found.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Whlle 1t Is
Impossible to got an expression of opln'
ion in regard to the election, and it's re-
salts, from any number OF tho cablnet,
enough has been learned in regard to
their conclusions, after mature deiibera-
ton, to give pretty correct summary
of this body's position in regard to the
matter:
Neither Mr.. Cleveland nor any Of his
assistants, after consultation over the
returns, have been able to persuade
themselves that the action Of tho people
Ia a rsbuke to tho president, or to the
head of any of the administrative depart
ments tor anything they have done or
aid since they were in power. They
are equally certain that the Republican
victories are not an expression OF popu
ar Ill will against the Democratic party
as party, nor as an indication OF q
change cf sentiment regarding tariff re-
form. They do not believe that tariff re-
form entered into tho contest, except
that tho people were disgusted with the
Democratic majority In congress for not
csrryins out tho program for which 1t
was elected in 1892. The people want
cd tariff reform but did not get 1t.
These conclusions were arrived at by
tho cabinet after the receipt of a mum :
ber of telegrams from successful Demo.
cratic congressman. in whose districts
the conduct of the administration was
made an Issue, or tho traif formed an
important subject of discussion during
the canvass. A message from Rapre'
sentative Cobb, of st. Louis, is very
good sample of the dispatches on which
the conclusions of the president and his
cabinet are based. Mr.. Cobb wired that
he bad made hls fight purely on the
presidents record, and had won.
Tbs cabinet officials declare that the
Democratic leaders in the house and
senate, by their refusal to follow the
president, betrayed their party and
brought about tho disastrous defeat.
They fought Mr.. Cleveland, not only at
Chicago, but in Washington after the
Inauguration, and the people rose in
their might to rebuke the recreant lead.
ers, and to condemn men who had been
false to their trust. Tho defeat was not
q triumph over the Democracy, but a
punishment of traitors. The passage of
the tariff bill in August instead OF in
April helped very much to do it. The
full revival of trade this fall was then
an impossibillty.
When the senate met in extra session
it should have adopted rules to do bust.
ness, an6 should have done business.
Its failure IN great measure brought
about the result. Instead of carrying
out tho Chicago platform and following
the president the Democratic majority
in congress repudIated the party policy,
refused to perform duties which they
were elecled to do, and seemed to care
moro about tho appointment of scrub
women thAE they did about upholding
the presidents hands and the cause OF
Q mighty reform to accomplish which
they were chooses by tho people. They
were charged with patriotic mission,
and proved to be towards.
These, in tho view of the cabinet, are
tho reasons for tho Democratic over.
throw in Now York and in other states
that were wrested from tho Republi.
cans on tho issue OF tariff reform and
on tho declaration that public official
is public trust.
Having made up their minds as to
Why the Democracy was defeated, and
who is responsible, the president and
his advisers have considered tho future
Of tho party. They reason that, as an
issue, tariff reform will not in tho imme.
diate future occupy an important place.
The Republicans would hardly dare at.
tempt to pass another Mckinley act, but
would practically let tho tariff alone.
People have had enough tariff agitation
and neither party could hope for popu-
lar success In tho immediate advance.
mont Of protectionist or low tariff ideas.
Tho Republicans would probably pass
separate bills in the interest of favored
industries. but no general tariff legisla.
ton would be attempted. It is neces.
sary to have an issue and unquestiona.
bly, tho most available one is that of free
silver versus sound money.
It became very evident to the cabinet
after looking ovsr tho returns, that the
eastern and middle states, including
New York, had probably gone into the
Republican column for many years to
como. Several of the secretaries saw
great danger in this to tho party, In the
natural effort which would follow to
build up strength in the south and west
to elect q president. The chances of
making these sections solid and inde-
pendent of tho east might be regarded
a. tho only hope. It was argued that
strong effort would be made to turn tho
party in tho south and west into free
silver party, and tears OF tho outcome
were expressed.
There was ono encouraging feature
cleaned from tho returps by three of
tho secretaries, who discussed tho dan
ger of an attempt by free silver men to
capture The Democracy. They fouod
In several instances In the south that
Democrats who ran on tho free silver
issue have been beaten and sound mon
ey Democrats elected. This was true
of Watson and Turner in Georgia, and
Patterson in Tennessee. II was also
discovered that q greater proporucn of
Democrats who are elected to the next
house are opposed to the free silver
policy.