The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1894-07-27
HILL VAST 'I'ALKING
Ihe New York Senator Speaks Upon
the Presidents Tariff
Letter.
He Heartily Endorses That Portion
os 1t Which Advocates Free
Raw Materials.
But Thinks the Letter Was Ill.Ad-
vised-A Time For Diplomacy In
stead of Denunciatiou.

AsH1NaToN. July 81. = Crowds,
s1' h as ha not thronged the senate for
months, packe the galleries during
the day. The house and president had
thrown down the gauntlet to the senate
on the tariff question, and pitched
battl was ex 1ecteI. The preliminary
rout ne business was tranacted in
perfunctory wy.
senator Voorhees,, ''the tall sycamore
of the Wabash" chairman of the
fin nee committee, arose and called up
the conference report on the tariff. bill.
Without word of explanation, he
yielded the floor to Senator Smith of
New Jersey, who arose and read care
fully prepared speech, in which he
eulogized the senate bill.
After Senator Smith had concluded
Mr.. Hill said:
IA theory, as we'll as condition,
now onfronts us. The theory of the
Democratic party is that in the enact
ment of tar IF legislation, free raw
materials should always be an essential
and conspicuous element.
1t is our creed that the materials
which enter into our manufactures
should be freed from the burden of tar
if taxation. The best interests of the
manufacturers, as we'll AS the consum-
ers of the land, demand the recognition
of this wise discrimination.
We are committed to this side of the
question, and we cannot retreat and we
cannot retract. We are honorably
bound to redeem our professions and
our promises. Justice, good faith and
decent regard for public sentiment all
require this course.
| Until recently I had supposed that
there was no dispute upon this question
of principle, but that every Democrat
worthy of the name was willing to con-
cede that if there was one thing more
than another TO which the Democratic
party was committed, it was in favor
of the doctrine of
Absolutely Free Raw Materials.
The true and honest construction of
every Democratic national platform for
IL years past, irrevocably commits us
to this just and reasonable principle
Mr.Hill read the Democratic national
platform of 1899, and continued:
ITO repeal the M, Kinley law in form,
simply, 10 re-enact it in effect is keep
ing this promise to the letter, but break
ing it in spirit. The platform pointed
with pride and deliberately approved
the measure for free iron ore, free lead
ore, free coal and free wool, which
were pending in congress at the time of
the ,onvention. The Democratic posi-
ton was so plain and is so clear that
he who runs may read.
No rower to Change 1t.
1t is said by some in juslific alton of
or excuse for their present action, that
tho presidents letter of acceptance in
1892 modified the extreme demands of
our platform. 1t is true that some por-
tions of his letter may tend to bear that
construction. 1t was not that bold,
ringing and explicit declaration in
favor of the platform which his party
had right to expect, out was re-
garded by many as timid, cautious and
conservative; but whether this criti-
cism is or is not we'll founded the fact
remains that he had no power or
authority to change Or alter one line or
sentence of the national platform,
which had been deliberately adopted in
the national convention duly assem- bled.
No president can be above his party;
no president eau dictate to his party;
no resident can change his party plat
form.
No Doubt About 1t Now.
"But no matter what idea it may be
claimed was intended to be conveyed in
his letter of acceptance in mitigation OF
; modification of the platform, there Can
be no doubt as tc the presidents posi-.
ton at the present time on the essential
principle of free raw material. Let
me read from that remarkable letter OF
the president which Was Thursday sue,
mitted to the house Of representatives
. 1t expresses better than can hope to
do, the true, sound and logical position
of the Democratic party upon this
question"
Approves ALI He Quoted.
After reading extracts from this let
ter, Mr.. Hill went on as follows:
'.Mr. President, l approve every
! word thatI have quoted. It is an hon
est and m"nly statement Of the true at
; titude which the party should assume
in this crisis. am not required to de
fend the propriety or wisdom of tn
PRONUNCIATION of this letter at this pc
culiar time. 1t may have Ibeen indis
Greet, it may operate as frebrand tt
spread the flames OF discord alread,
klndled among party friends, honestly
differing, as am disposed to conced,
I upon questions of public and party pol
icy. 1t may widen the breach alread.
existing in this senate and in that viey
= it may be regarded as
, Unfortunate and Ill-Advised.
l It WIS time for diplomacy, states
f manship and concination rather thai