The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-22

nut there II not a word In II upon the
question whether the United States
| should or should not tax raw materials
Mr.. Cleveland was elected on this plat
| form. and before the next convention
| that IS. in 1ss7-he sent his famous tariff
| message 10 Congress. which was undoubt-
| edly a message recommending free raw
materials But the people did not I'M
l derstand the import Of the language used.
| II was understood to be a message for
| free trade, as near 20 FREQ trade as was
possible consistent with the necessity we
| were under to raise revenue by tarih
! taxation. The Mills bill was framed IN
| conformity TO his suggestions. but the
real nature OF these suggestions was NOT
understood by the country. The country
understood that 1t was moving on towaruS
free trade only.
When the next Democratic conVenio"
was held--ln 1SSS-the platform as repoiF
ed by the platform committee salu no'"
ing about raw materials. Mr.. Scott' Vi
PENNSYLVANIA. moved I'm the convention
that the convention endorse the Mills Dill
as an amendment TO the report OF the
committee. and that motion was adopted
as q perfunctory one, and as all such
resolutions are. 1t would be total per-
version OF the facts OF the case 10 call
this n deliberate announcement of the
doctrine Of free raw.materials. 1t Is more
like piece Of jugglery.
AT the convention of 1892 the platform
committee consisting of Mr.. Cleveland's
especial friends. and dominated. as all
the world knows, by MIR. Cleveland, pre-
pared platform and reported 1t TO the
convention. IN which this language was
used:
1--WE denounce the Mckinley tariff law
enacted by the Fifty-frst Congress as
the eliminating atrocity OF class iegisia-
ton; we endorse the efforts made by the
Democrats of the present Congress 10
modify It's most oppressive features III tne
direction Of free raw materials and cheap
er manufactured goods that enter INTO
general consumption, &c"
On motion of Mr.. Neal. Of Ohio. the |
convention struck out a long resolution |
about framing the reforms TO be made /
Sd as TO consider the rights of both labor
and capital. and not reduce duties In such
q way as to hurt Industries. and put In Its
place, as preface 70 the words quoted
above, the following language:
I'VE denounca Republican protection as
a fraud, a robbery Of the great majority |
Of the American people for the benefit OF
the few we declare II TO be q funda-
mental principle of the Democratic party
that the Federal Government has no CON
power TO impose and collect
tariff duties except for the purposes OF
revenue only, and we demand that the |
of such taxes shall be limited
TO the necessities of the Government |
when honestly and economically admins
tered"
This resolution was carried in open
by 564 ayes to 9l2 noes. or
nearly two to one, and against all the
Influence that the especial friends Of Mr..
Cleveland could exert. 1t expresses the
real sense OF that convention, and all
hat 1t wanted to say. 1t has no hint
IF free raw materials. and II is intended
10 declare that Democracy means equal
avs administered so as TO bear equally
pm all without favoritsms TO any. We
submit, then, upon this record, that Mr..
Cleveland and Mr.. Hill have no right to
Jay that free raw materials is a Demo-
ratio doctrine, and the Senate bill should
lot be defeated merely because it is not
constructed ON the lines OF free raw ma
erals.