The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-25

| The state quotes from the COMPRESSION
| al Record a discussion between Senators
Sherman and Hill over the question how
Senator Hill and Mr.. Cleveland can as
sert so positively that free raw ma
terials" is a fundamental Democratic
doctrine. Hill states his case thus:
Mr. Hnl. If the senator from Ohio
will be content 10 wait until | am
through. he Will see how ! demonstrate
my proposition. | shall call Il distinguish
ed witness upon that point. repeat mat
we cannot escape our record upon this
subject, even If We are disposed 10 do
so. The true and honest construction OF
every Democratic national platform FOR
twelve years past irrevocaDly commits
us to this just and reasonable princi-
pie.
What did our last national platform
in 1899 say upon this point? Let Inc
I'VE indorse the efforts made by the
Democrats of the present Congress TO
modify its the Mckinley laws most
oppressive features I'm the direction Of
free raw materials and cheaper manu-
featured goods that enter into general
consumption, and we promise its repeal
as one OF the beneficent results that
will follow the action OF the people in
inrusting power to the Democratic
TO repeal the Mckinley law in form
simply. to re-enact IL in effect is keep
What were the efforts made by the |
Democrats of tho present Congress QS32J |
TO which this platform points with pIide |
and deliberately approves? They were |
measures FOR free iron ore free lead
ore. free coal and free wool which were
then pending ~ Congress advocated by |
Democrats and opposed by Republicans.
and some of which had then already |
passed, or were subsequently passed
When Senator Hill says that the true
and honest construction Of every Demo
cratic platform for twelve years past
commits the party to the doctrine Of
free raw materials" he says something
which is simply unnteligible to us. As
we showed on Sunday the words raw
materials never appeared in any Demo
ratio platform, nor did the idea ex-
pressed by them until the platform of
sSi, ana they are used then. as we !
showed, in a sense entirely different from
hat In which MeSsrs. Cleveland and
1il use them. The next reference 10
hem was. as we showed. in the platfrom
# 1885, and that was an inferential refer .
nee only, through Mr.. Scott of Pennsvl-
ania, moving that the convention en-
orse the Mills bill. and that bill imposed g
/ tax Of 70 cents a ton on coal i
The next reference TO them is what D
3 quoted above from the platfrom of =
SOP. To understand the exact import of d
nat we must state the PROCEEDINGS inst '
s they took place. p
1t is perfectly well known that the
atform committee in the Chicago con- rt
ention OF 1892 consisted of Mr. CIeve- ~
nd's friends, who were aiming 10 %
anne a platfrom that would conform TO it,
5 views. When they made their report OF
the convention the platform so far -
the tariff was concerned. read thus: tn
1--WE reiterate the oft repeated doc tsii
ines or the Democratic party that the Oh
cessity OF the Government is the only ~,
for taxation, and whenever III
tax Is unnecessary ii is unjustinable.
al when custom house taxation ~ vi
led upon articles Of any kind pro-
ced In this country, the difference
tween the cost OF labor here and labor
road. when such difference exists ful-
measures any possible benefits TO re
30" 1hd ire enormous ado iuOnu i'm, an
sltions OF the existing tariff fan win jol
lshing force upon our farmers and FRI
- Nm" end ~ the mer. a.Vtrt,'.- fOi
the few whom it enriches exacts tn
IN IaDor grossly unjust share of the thi
Denses OF the Government. ana We DO
mana such revision Of the tariff laws gu
81 'oi. ear ni4lt.aus on GU
Is, tighten their expressions and nnt fun
m on constitutional and en,,i,aPPI III 1t
SIS. N equitable ate
But In making reductions in taxes u to
no, proposed TO injure any domestic co,
u1sn,ries. but rather to promote their noi
S Government the taxes cni,na OF ing
custom house have been the chief COZ
rec OF Federal revenue. Such thev the
ustries have come 10 reiv 'S' many edi
! On tor successful continuance SO fhst Jay
e"anse Of law must be ct every M