The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-20

N6TG6LB
the supposed interests Of locality,
promises the people of any state or Sec
ton that there would be an exception
made to the enforcement of the general
principle of raw materials when the
Democrats should obtain power, he ex-
ceeded his authority aud misinterpreted
our position.
. It is said by some in justification or
excuse for their present action that the
presidents letter Of acceptance in 1892
modified the extreme demands Of our
platform. II is true that some portions
of his letter may tend to bear that con-
struction.
cleveland Was Tfrnorous IN 1899.
"It was not that bold ringing and ex-
plicit declaration IN favor Of the platform
which his party had a right to expect,
but was regarded by many IS dEnid, eau
tiOus aud conservative; but whether this
criticism il or il not well founded, the
fact remains that he had not power or
authority to change or alter one line or
sentence or provision of the national
platform which had been deliberately
adopted on the national convention duly
assembled
NO president can be above his party;
no president can dictate to his party; no
president Can change his party platform.
But no matter what idea II may he claim
ed was intended to be- conveyed il his
letter Of acceptance in mitigation or
1uO44 4u-dLlOu OF lie PLATFORM mere can DO
no doubt as to the presidents position at
this time upon this essential principle of
free raw materials. Let me read from
the letter Of the president which was
yesterday submitted to the house. 1t ex-
presses better than L can hope to do, the
true, sound and logical position Of The
De mocratic party upon this q uestion.'
Afaer reading extracts from this let
ter, Mr.. Hill continued:
MIR President l approve every word
that have quoted. 1t IS az honest and
manly statement of the true attitude
which the party should assume in this
crisis.
II am not required to defend the pro-
priety or the wisdom Of the promulga-
ton of this letter at this par
ticular time. Il may have been
iudiscreet; it may operate as
q firebrand to spread the flames
Of discord already klndled among party
friends. honestly differing, as | am dis
posed 10 concede- upon questions Of pub
lie aEd party policy. 1t was time for
diplomacy, ststesmanship and cOnctlia-
ton rather than recrimination, denur-
ciaticn and arraignmen1 But aside
from the question of its mere eXpedien-
cy. I am here to defend the presidents
letter in far as IL demands that the
party shall not be led astray into the vio-
lation Of Democratic pledges and princi-
Hin F1ndor4es the Pr@s1dsn+.
Upon the question Of free msteriais
the president Is right and you know Il
You cann-t answer bis arguments. You
cannot successfully dispute his prOposi-
ton You cannot doubt his sincerity
and patriotism. You must yield in the
end 10 his views You cannot stand
up against the sentiment of the Demo-
cratic masses of the county which will
rally around the president in his contest
with you upon this particular branch Of
the subject
"The time to yield is now before there
Is further humiliation, embarrassment
= a discord
sMr. President, having demonstrated
that the true Democratic theory OF reye-
nue. reform requires that free raw ma
terials should be its Distinguishing fe.-
ture, let as next inquire what Is the con
dition which now confronts ug.
4 The senate bill which was passed viO-
lates this Democratic theory, and while
It reduces the duty on iron. coal, lead and
some other raw materials, from those I'm
posed under the Mckinley law. and IN
that respect is cOmmenddble, il never
theless imposes some duties thereon, and
thereby fails to redeem our pledge.
The house Of representatives, fresh
from the people which represents more
distinctly and peculiarly than we do, the
taxing power Of the people, repudiates
our bill and a Democratic president has
emphasized that reputation and the
condition which confronts US is one of ex-
treme EN- barrassment- Shall we sur
render to the house while we can do so
honoraDly Or shall we wait until we are
driven 10 it
The House WuI Not Retreat.
"In the light Of the letter of the presi-
dent, the house cannot honorably retreat
1t has no other alternative except to in
sist upon its bill wherein it pro-
vides for free raw materials. The
president cannot approve the sen
ate bill after what he has said
in this remarkable letter. He arraigns
the senate and intimates that the enact
ment Of the senate bill but means party
perfidy and party dishOnor.2 These are
strong words which the president of the
United States would not use toward
measure which he ever expected after
wards 20 approve
This letter, unusual and unprece-
dented in its character and method Of
promulgation though it may he, never
theless clearly foreshadows a veto of the
senate bill, even if the house should
finally concur In our amendments. What
person would expect the president to ap-
prove the senate bill after its vigorous
and scathing denunciatiOn contained IN
his letter You would think less of him
for his glaring Inconsistency.
mo. this letter is significant, it is
bold. vigorous even if imprudent letter.
It means war to the knife against the
senate bill. The president Is right; there
is no middle ground which we can oc-
cupy. The senate must recede from its
amendments"
ar Vests Speech
Mr.. Vest took the floor when 1Ir. Hill
was seated After the speech Of the