The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1894-11-13
HE DISCUSSES THE RECENT
ELECTION RESULTS
TARIFF REFORH WAS NOT TO BLAME
The Hard Times the Main Cause for the
Defeat of the Democratic Party he
Delay aud scandal In the senate
over Certain 1ariG schedules
Also an Important Factor
Hopeful FOR 1896.


che Press from Washington, llonora-
BILE william l.. Wilson OF West Nir
ginia, chairman of the committee on
ways and means, gives his views OF
the causes of Democratic defeat in
the recent election. After declaring
that it is neither discreet nor dig
nified thing for member of de-
featcd party to attempt 10 eNplaiu his
own or his party's d feat, he say'i
None the less, however, 1t is the
duty of the Democratic party, after
such a reverse, 20 make del beratc,
honest and unsparing scrutiny into
the causes and forces which wrought
its overthrow and into the condition
on which Il may gain its ascendancy
with the American people.
Undoubtedly there were local in
fiueuces, as there were individual
candidates and factional fights that
contributed TO and emphasized the
general result. but it must be ad-
mitted that there were strong forces.
everywhere operative. that really
shaped and brought q bout that result.
And the greatest Of all these forces
was the severe industrial depression
that for a year or more past has
hardened the lot and made anxious
the lives Of n large section of our
people. Hard times is an enemy be-
fore which no political party in
America has ever been able TO make
successful stand when in power.
This is and perhaps always win
be, weak point in popular govern
ment. When labor is out of employ
ment, when farm products are low
when our financial system is dis.
organized, the wisest administration
of government and the most whole.
some laws do not avail to save
party from temporary and disastrous
overthrow.
without attempting To apportion
the responsibility for the hard times
between the two parties and stoutly
disclaiming any large share of IT for
the Democratic party, | nass from
these general issues 10 the second
point and thai is The defeat of tariff
reform. / DO not believe the people
have rebuled or discarded tariff re-
form in their action last Tuesday.
for when / look over the whole coun-
try | do not find that to have been
the common ground of their action.
IF they have inflicted chastisement
because of its dealings with the tariff
IL has been rather because the party
did not carry ont with sufficient
promptness and thoroughncss the
work they committed TO it and be-
cause they have held the whole party
responsible for the action Of few Of
its representatives in thwarting, do
laying and manning this great work.
The long and indefensiblc delay in
the senate, the sinister suspicious
that gathered around certain sched-
ules aud duties, as they are framed -
nowhere more vigorously denounced
than in the Democratic press of the
country He'd disappointment
and disgust among the rank aud Gle
OF the party that led to apathy and
even misjudged hostility In the re-
cent elections
ut is hazardous, of course. to in
dulge in hypothetics but / have no
doubt that had the bill which passed
the house on the lst day Of August
passed the senate as early as April or
May in substantially its original
shape, the result in Missouri aud in
many other sections OF the country
would have been reversed and the
Democratic party might even have
weathered the industrial storm with
NItulNt II noi SUCCESS
Not only did this long delay and
the mutilation Of the house bill chill
and anger the Democratic masses but
il kept the business OF the country in
torture of suspense and uncertainty.
thus hardening and eXasperatng the
crisis, and storing up wrath against
the whole party for the actions OF a
small number of its public servants.
The bill, as finally passed, though "a
vast improvement on the Mckinley
bill, was still so obnoxious in some OF
It's features that the president allowed
IL to become law without his sigma
ture, and il had been in operation too
short time before the election for
the people TO appreciate its benefits.
again, ! do not accept the view
that tariff eform has suffered defeat.
because / have not anywhere found
Republican candidates advocating a
repeal OF the law
by 1896 let ms hone the present
clouds, already breaking, win have
vanished from our skies The new
bin will then have shown its merits.
the temporary scare and resentment
against il Will have spent their force
and ] 90 not believe the Repu blican
program will call for its repeal and
relapse 10 Mckinleyism aud mad
protection Every one knows that
such reaction would not mean peace
but fierce and unrelenting renewal
Of the old struggle"