Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-07-21
HILL DEFENDS CLEVELAND
SENATOR VEST MAKES A BIT.
TER ATTACK.
He Accuses the Pre- side Iit Of Die
taiinx to Congress and of DE
nouucing The Senate The Pres.
tdeni Right Oh Free Raw Mate
rial


nouucing The senate-TheP Pres.
tsieni Right on Free Raw Mate
rial
WASHINGTON, July 21,-ln his speech
in the Senate yesterday Sen ,tor Hill
said:
"Thc theory of the Democratic party
is that in the enactment of tariff legisla-
tion free raw materials should always
be an essential and conspicuous element
Materials which enter into our manu-.
iactufcs should be free from the burden
of tariff taxation. The best interests Of
| the manufacturers as well as consumers
demand recognition of this wise discrim-
nation. We are committed to this side
Of the question and VIC cannot retreat
and We cannot retracc. We are honor
ably bound to redeem our professions
and our promises. Justice. good faith
and decent regard for public sentiment
all require this course.
at is said by some in Justification of,
or excuse for, their present action that
the Presidents letter of acceptance in
1892 modified the extreme demands OF
our platform. 1t is true that some SEC
tions of the letter may tend to bear that
const, uclion. 1t was not that bold,
ringing and explicit declaration in favor
OF the VI ltlorm which his party had a
right to expect, but was regarded by
many as timid, cautious and conserva-
tive, but whether this criticism is or is not
we'll founded, the fact remains that he
had no power or authority to change or
alter ore line or sentence or provision OF
the national platform which had been
deliberately adopted in national conven-
tion duly assembled. No president can
b. above his party; no president can
dictate to his party; no president can
change his party's patt ,rm
Bat no matter what idea il may be-
claimed was Intended to be conveyed III
his letter OF acceptance in mitigation oi
the platform there can be no doubt as to
the Presidents position at this time
upon the essential principle OF free ra"
materials. Let me read from that re-
markablc letter of the Presidents which
was Yesterday submitted to the Ilnust
OF Representatives. 1t expresses better
than can hope to do the true, sound
and logical position of the Democratic
party upon this question" l."
After reading extracts from this letter
Hill went on as follows:
"Mr. President, approve every word
that have quoted 1t is an honest and
manly statement of the tue alti
tude which the party shoulc
assume i'll this crisis. am moi
required to define the proDticty
, or wisdom OF the PRONUNCIATION of thu
letter at this p rl,cular time. 1t may
have been indiscrcct; it may operate a.
tirchrand to spread the flame OF discort
alrcany kiudlcd among party friends. II
NAV widen the breach already existing
in this Senate and in that view it ma,
be regarded as unfortunate and ill-ad
viscd. 1t was a time for diplomacy
= craftsmanship and conciiation, rather
than recrimination, denunciation and ar
raiynmcnts.
"l'ut ASIDE from the question OF ~
mere cx' edicncy am mere to d' lend tn
lresid' NJ elter IN so Tar as II utmahd
that the party shall not be led astral
iuto violation Of Democratic pledge
and principles. Upon the question o
: tree RI" materials the President is r'Hh
and you know it. You cannot answc
his arguments. You cannot successful
{ dispute ms proposition. YOU c"lino
f doubt ms smccrl'y ana PATRIOTISM
:. You must yleid IN the end I" ms views
{ You cannot stand up against the sch''
+ meht 81 the great Democratic masses q
the con"i'y "hI@h VIII rhl'v AROUND ID
), resident IN ms contest win you ',po
tnis particular prhhrh OF the sn"lFe!
t ne 'ihe I" v"lu IS now' pt'ore there
II further Humiliation, embarrassment an
o dlseord.
V Senator Vest next addressed the ser
y ate. lt was matter or coneratuii
/. .ion' nc saiu sarcasticai'Y, that III
senator from New YORK ana the RES
dcnt OF the united states were at las
able to stand together on any plai'or!
J. at all lLauThtcr.l The political mi
len'um s. ems to have come at least
c a modilicd degree Inc non ana lam
OF New York had laid down togctht