Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-21

were free traders.
de devoted some time 70 an eGposi-
tion OF the situation with reference TO
sugar, raw and refined, cOntending that
the proposed reduction In the Senate bill
was one Of the biggest made in
any schedule From statistics
obtained iu the Treasury De-
psrtment, hs maintained that
the enactmentOi the Senate bill would
reduce tariff taxation STA, 100000. He
bad asked for far greater concessions
from his constituents than he had from
the Finance Committee.
80 far as I am concerued-and /
think speak also for several OF my COL
leagues-there has not been and will
not be the slightest change in nv posi-
tion," said Mr.. Smith.
81 ACCEPTED THE INCOME TAX
in it's modified form from sense Of duty
10 nv party, but dii so with the great
est reluctance and with the distinct dec
laratlon regarding other portions Of the
measure that l would not vote for any
bill or any amendment that would make
il impossi bls for y single industry TO
continue or resume Operations. ! be
ieVe, sir, that the Committee on
Finance will bear me ont in the asser-
tiOn that I have doLe everything In my
power 10 aid them in their work. II is
true that have urged the necessity Of
care aud moderation IN revising the
schedules which directly concern
the industries Of my State, but believe
they Will c0UCede a disposition on my
part 90 be fair and reasonable, and |
know that have demanded far greater
concessions from my constituents than
l have sought from the Finance Com
mittee.
"ABd so, sir, I say Ia conclusion, in
all friendIiness toward those who have
aspersed our motives, that so far as l
am concerned they need expect no
further concessions
When Mr.. Smith concluded Mr. Hill
jumped 90 his feet aud, being recOg-
n,zed, launched his speech as follows:
Nlr. Hill said A theory as we'll as q
condition now COntrOntS US. The theory
OF the Democratic party is that Ia the
enactment OK tariff legislation free raw
materials should always be an essential
ant conspicuous element. 1t is our
creed that the materials which enter
into our Manufactures should be freed
from the burden OF tariff taxation. The
best interests OF the manufacturers, as
we'll as the consumers OF the land, de-
mand there cognitiou OF this wise dis
crimination. We are committed TO this
side OF the question, and we cannot re-
treat and we cannot retrsct. We are
honorably bound to redeem our
PROFESSIONS AND OUR PROMISES.
Justice, good faith and decent regard
for puolic sentiment all require this
course. Cutil recently / had supposed
that there was no dispute upon this
question Of principle but that every
Democrat worthy Of the name was will
ing 10 concede that il there was one
thing more than another 20 which the
Democratic party was committed il was
in favor OF the doctrine o. absolutely
Tree raw materials. The true and non
est construction OF every Democratic
national platform for twelve years past
irreyOcably commits US 10 this just and
reasonable principle. Mr.. Hill read
the Democratic national platform OF 1892
aud continued: TO repeal the Mckin-
ley Jaw in form simply; to re.enact it in
Q feet is keeping this promise to the
.etter but breaking il in spirit. The
platform pointed with pride and delib-
erately approved the measures for free
iron ore, free lead ore, free coal aud free
wool, which was pending in Congress
at the time Of the convention. The
Democratic position was so plain and is
so clear that we who runs may read. II
anv Democratic orator in any part OF
the country, forgetting the interests OF
the whole land and subserving the sup
posed interests OF locality, promised
the people Of any State or section not 10
enforce the principals Of free raw mate
rial, il the Democrats should attain
power, he exceeded his power and
MSNrEBPBETED oUR POSITION.
It Is said by some in Justification, or eI-
cuse for their present action, that the
Presidents letter of acceptance in lSy2
modified the extreme demands OF our
platform. Il is true that some portions
OF his letter may tend TO bear hist con-
structiOn. II was not a bold, ringing
and explicit declaration In favor Of the
Dlat'or,l which his party had right
10 expect, but was regarded by many
as timid, cautious and conservatives;
out whether this criticism is, or is not,
we'll founded, the fact remains that he
had no power or authority 20 change or
alter Que line or sentence or provision
OF the national platform, which had
been deliberately adopted in national
convention duly assembled. No PreSi
dent can be above his party; no Presj-
dent can dictate 10 his party; no Pres-
dent can change his party platform.
But no matter what idea it may be
claimed was intended TO be conveyed ia
mis- letter o. acceptance in mitigation OF
modification Of the platform there can
be no doubt as 20 the Presidents posi-
ton at this time upon this essential
principle Of free raw materials. Let me
read from that remarkable letter Of the
Presidents, which was Yesterday sub
mitted 20 the House Of Representa-
tives. Ii expresses better than ! can
hope 10 40 the true, sound and logical
position OF the Democratic party upon
this question.
After reading extracts from this let.
ter Mr.. Hill went on as follows: Mr..
President
APPROVE EvERY WORD
that have quoted. Il is an honest and
manly statement OF the true attitude
which the party should assume 10 this
crisis. I am not required to defend the
propriety or wisdom OF the promulga-
L
II may have been indiscreet, il NAV
operate az a FIRE brand TO spread the
flames OF discOrd already kindled among
PARTY friends honestly differing, as l. am
disposed 20 cOncede, upon questions OF
public and party policy. IL may widen
the breach already existing in this Sen
ate. and in that view it may be regarded
as unfortunate and III advised. II was
a time for diplomacy, statesmauship
and cancellation rather than recon-