New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-20
UE. HTRD TO THE FHONT.

The Ohio Democratic Convention was opened
with n characteristic speech from Il thorough
going Free Trader The Hon. Frank III. llurd
WAS the real leader Of the Democracy on III"
tariff question when he was in Congress. ana
he never ATTEMPTED 10 conceal the fact that ne
was 4 Free Trader Of the Golden school. III
1880 when the Mckinley aC WAS passed he
was not In public life. but he startled The Demo
cratic party by proclalming Free Trade on Eng
lsh lines rs the counter policy 10 Protection
He declared that he would raise the revenues
Of the Government by taxing all incomes over
$1,000 by restoring tea. coffee ana sugar 10 inc
du,jablc list and hy taxing liquors and tobacco.
All other tariff duties he considered prot"rtl"i-
IS, cxactlons and would repeal; and h. predicted
that in consequence of In" enactment Oh Inc
Mckinley bill prices would b. increased 10 CON
sumcrs ia all directions. rctaatory tariffs would
bc adopted against the tinted States III over
thc world and absolute Free Trade would iinal-
ly he brought about In America. Mr. liurd was
considered a IIotspur by his party associates III
1890 but he Is now the presiding officer OF Inc
ohio Democratic Convention and nobody - sur
nriscd 10 hear him advocate without qlilliica-
ton or reserve Cobdcn's extreme ideas.
Mr. IIurd tells the Ohio Democrats that the
day is not far distant when the last vcstigc OF
Protection will have disappeared from tarill
legislation In America; that The last National
platform declared Protection 10 be unconStt'i-
tional and robbery: and that The mission or the
party cannot be ended while there remains any
duty not required for revenue only. Let no
one" he cxcaims, "cry peace, peace, wh"h
"therc is no peace NJ question Is settled uhui
at is rightly settled. Let the agitation con
.'tipue until business learns that II cannot De
secure So long II is in partnership Win '"il-
"rrcss" This * more radical ground ihan me
President and Chairman Wilson have consid"r'd
II safe 10 take in expressing their discomfort
with the German bill. and then consoling them
selves with the reflection that they have secured
yantnyc- ground for continuing III" iarin fGhi.
Rut Mfr IIurd I'm 1890 was only two years ahead
Of the Democratic National Convention which
condemned Protection rs an unconstitutional
system Of robbery and brigandarc; and the con
yentlon Of 1896 may vndicate his Judgment ana
commit the party 10 absolute Free Trade.
Mr. Uurd was So strenuous IN advOcat" Of In
come taxation and sugar duties four years ago
that he has r.4onccd himself 10 III" German
bill. and has even gone 10 ih" length 81 prais'hH
senator Brco for his courage and Independence
I'm saving the frcc-wOol clause. which II" con
sIderS the most important f"aiur" al 'h' ne"
tariff Instead Of marking the plIc" "Whcr" me
deadly blight Of treason has blasted ~" rouh'
"scls Of the brave in their hour ~ might he
acts rs though he were blinded II" the fact mat
the livery Of Democratic tarln reform mas been
"stocn and worn I'm III" service "f K"p'ibIl'hh
"Proicction." He asserts that more cr"dii Is
due To senator l'ricc than 10 any other iniii
.cncc. or 10 all o,1"r influences combined rms
is II painful revelation OF III" dociy ana s"rNlI
jty of a sincere Free Trader when ne discovers
that the Senatorial boss has captured me con
vcnliOn.